Writing for Social Justice

Essential Question

What can one person do to create a safe, welcoming place for all?

Texts

Literature

A Place Where Sunflowers Grow

Mari and her family have been sent to an internment camp in Utah. She does not understand what they have done to deserve their internment and longs for her backyard in California where she used to grow sunflowers.

Amy Lee-Tai and Felicia Hoshino (illustrator)

Grade Level

3-5

Subject

History

April 7, 2016

Teaching Strategies

Close and Critical Reading

Agree/Disagree Statements

Agree/disagree statements challenge students to think critically about their knowledge of a topic, theme or text. The strategy exposes students to the major ideas in a text before reading—engaging their thinking and motivating them to learn more. It also requires them to reconsider their original thinking after reading the text and to use textual evidence to support and explain their thinking.

Grade Level

3-5

CCSS

RF.3-5.4, RL.3-5.1, RI.3-5.1, RL.3-5.2, RI.3-5.2

July 19, 2014

Student Tasks

Do Something

Artistic Expression Showcase

Students produce original art (visual art, music, drama or poetry) that conveys an anti-bias or social justice message. Students then plan a public showcase of their work.

Grade Level

3-5

July 13, 2014

Do Something

Identity Portraits

Students interview one another, then draw or paint portraits containing symbols that represent the subject’s identity, beliefs, values or areas of interest.

Grade Level

3-5

July 13, 2014

Plan Built By

Kamryndove1513

Writing for Social Justice

A Place Where Sunflowers Grow

Agree/Disagree Statements

Artistic Expression Showcase

Identity Portraits

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