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The Moment Archive

The Moment is LFJ’s online editorial column, which contains articles and content to address what is happening in social justice education—and society—right now.
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Tracking and Teaching the National Student Walkout

Thousands of students participated in the #Enough National School Walkout, sponsored by Women's March Youth EMPOWER. This edition of The Moment chronicles the walkout and other actions taken by student leaders, highlights a walkout-themed Learning Plan, and offers encouragement for bringing activism into the elementary classroom.

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Build A Learning Plan
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Walkout Day

This teacher built a custom lesson plan to mark a day when thousands of students walked out of their schools in protest. Check it out—and build your own!

Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month! Our treasure trove of texts and resources can help you teach this history year-round, but this is a great time to address inequity and draw special attention to girls and women who have shaped—and continue to shape—our world.

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One World poster featuring Jazz Jennings quote
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Jazz Jennings

Jazz Jennings is an author and advocate for LGBTQ people. In 2016, at only 16 years old, she published her memoir, Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen, now read in many schools across the country.
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Welfare is a Women's Issue

″Welfare is a Women's Issue″ is an essay written by Johnnie Tillmon for Ms. Magazine, a prominent feminist publication, in 1972. 

Supporting Youth (and Youth Activism) after the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

The February 14, 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, and the subsequent swell of student activism focused our national discussion on mass shootings and school safety. This edition of The Moment explores three ways educators can join this important conversation: approaching the topic of mental health with students, getting involved (directly and indirectly) in the growing movement, and honoring the history of young change makers.

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Male African-American Teacher Instructing Students | Teaching Tolerance
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Discussing "The Mental Health Issue" After Parkland

When talking with students about mass shootings, you can't avoid addressing mental health. This TT staffer offers recommendations for ways you can talk about mental health with your students—without adding to the stigma already in place.

Returning to Class after the Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

We wish it weren't necessary to share these resources again. If you’re struggling with what to say to your students about the devastating attack on Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, these resources can help. And if you or your students are taking action to prevent gun violence, we’d like to hear about it. Please contact our Editors.

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Responding to Trauma in Your Classroom

Trauma can have significant and lasting effects on students. This PD Café will help you learn how to recognize the signs of trauma, better understand the causes of trauma, and take steps to establish social and emotional safety in your classroom.

Celebrating Black History Month by Teaching Hard History

Black history is American history—and it should be taught year round. But Black History Month offers a great opportunity to focus attention on the history and contributions of African Americans. This edition of The Moment features a few of our favorite black history resources: the text "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" (the "Black National Anthem"), our new materials on effectively teaching about American slavery and our article about one teacher’s commitment to “mining the jewel" of February each year.

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Abolitionists William Still, Sojourner Truth, William Loyd Garrison, unidentified male and female slaves, and Black Union soldiers in front of American flag
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The Courage to Teach Hard History

The central role that slavery played in the development of the United States is beyond dispute. Yet, the practices of teaching and learning about this fact remain woefully inadequate. Professor Hasan Kwame Jeffries introduces Teaching Hard History: American Slavery, which can help change that.
Group of people gathered around in a circle looking at various materials in front of them.
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Mining the Jewel of Black History Month

Planning for Black History Month can be authentic without falling into the pitfalls of the “heroes and holidays.” Look for ways to involve the entire school community and teach about the history and experiences of African Americans across the curriculum and throughout the year.
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Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing

“Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing” is a hymn originally written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson in 1899. The accompanying music was written by John Rosamond Johnson. This hymn is often known as the “Negro National Anthem” or the “Black National Anthem.”