Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Power of Fiction

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore fiction that moves individuals to social action. For this literature lesson, students read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and analyze its literary worth as well as its investigative journalism. Students investigate other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poets Got Them Blues

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Contemplate what music learners listen to and why they listen. Can they find poetry within music lyrics? Specifically hone in on blues lyrics and ruminate upon the social issues prevalent in the themes. Particular song lyrics coincide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Give Peace A Chance: Nonviolence as a valid strategy for social change

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students analyze how people solve conflicts. In this conflict resolution instructional activity, students look at Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King's nonviolence movements. They see the reasoning behind nonviolence and how it...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Human Rights Then and Now

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine past and present human rights issues in U.S. history. In reflection journals, they document both justices and injustices perpetrated on groups and individuals. Finally, students implement an action plan designed...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Exploring Identity and Intersectionality in Poetry

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Just as Kermit the Frog notes, "It isn't easy being green!" it isn't easy occupying "multiple Identity spaces." Class members read and discuss poems by writers detailing what it is like when their identities are "oppressed."
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

The Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A primary source set of photographs, videos, newspaper articles, and FBI reports provides insight into race relations during the 1960s, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church bombing, and the murder of Emmitt Till. Designed to be used to...
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

Ida B. Wells and Anti-Lynching Activism

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
A packet of 13 primary sources provides young historians with insight into the anti-lynching activism of civil rights Ida B. Wells. Included are images of Wells, her letters, a political cartoon, newspaper lynching announcements, and a...
Lesson Plan
Newseum

Making a Change: Letter From Birmingham Jail

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter From Birmingham Jail" was written in response to "A Call for Unity," written by eight white ministers from Birmingham and published in the local newspaper. After reading both letters and following a list...
Study Guide
Penguin Books

A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of Walden and "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
According to Henry David Thoreau, every citizen must object to unjust laws. The teacher's guide to Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience" begins with a detailed essay synopsis to help readers understand Thoreau's rationale in the challenging...
Lesson Plan
Newseum

The Freedom to Make a Change

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
As part of a study of the First Amendment, young historians research instances when individuals or groups used the First Amendment to change the United State's laws or policies. Teams are each assigned a different case study. With the...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Learning for Justice

The Color of Law: Winners and Losers in the Job Market

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The second instructional activity in "The Color of Law" shows how government policies supported economic inequality. Scholars read additional excerpts and respond to text-dependent questions from "The Color of Law" text, examine primary...
Unit Plan
C3 Teachers

Women’s Rights: How Can Women Achieve Equality in a Patriarchal Society?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Women today may not have heard of Madame C.J. Walker or Wilma Mankiller, and a few may not be aware of Emma Watson's current role; however, they have certainly benefited from their efforts. Using questions supplied by this guided...
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

The Poetry of Maya Angelou

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Maya Angelou's work reflects her passion for life, civil rights, and justice for all. A collection of 12 primary sources provide scholars with insight into this amazing woman. The set includes photographs, articles, recordings of...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Albert Shanker Institute

Making the Case for Equality: A Comparison

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Martin Luther King Jr's " I Have a Dream" speech and Atticus Finch's closing argument during the trial of Tom Robinson both address the societal need to overcome racism. After examining the rhetorical devices and figurative language used...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Facing History and Ourselves

Eyes on the Prize Lesson 1: The Philosophy of Nonviolence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of nonviolent demonstration. In this Civil Rights Movement activity, students investigate examples of injustice and discuss the philosophy of nonviolence fueled by leaders of the movement. Students apply...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedoms We Enjoy

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students compare lifestyles of the United States to another foreign country. In this social studies lesson, students use the information they previously researched on the Internet and publish a PowerPoint presentation to illustrate their...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Facing History and Ourselves

What is Justice After Genocide?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the meaning and implications of genocide. In this human rights lesson, students investigate the Aremenian genocide that took place in Turkey and the subsequent trials of the leader of the...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Facing History and Ourselves

Emmett Till: Choosing to Remember

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till and civil rights activist, believed that her son's murder was the last straw before public outrage over racial injustice spilled over into the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. A history...
Lesson Plan
1
1
Facing History and Ourselves

What Does It Mean to Belong?

For Teachers 6th
After reading and analyzing The 'In' Group by Eve Shalen, sixth graders consider how the categorization of people results in exclusion, discrimination, and injustice. 
Lesson Plan
Facing History and Ourselves

Continuing Lemkin's Legacy: What Can We Do to Prevent and Stop Genocide?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate genocide. In this contemporary history lesson, students research Darfur advocacy organizations and present plans of action to stop the injustice in Darfur.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Liquid Killer

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students explore number sense applications and discuss strategies for multiplication and division using mental math. For cross-curricular purposes, they explore causes and effects of inequality and social injustice. Students explore...
Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

"What is it Like to be an Outsider?”: Building Empathy for the Experiences of Immigrants

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
This lesson highlights the struggles of immigrants and the importance of showing empathy. Beginning with a read-aloud of a book in another language and a poem, scholars take part in a thoughtful discussion. Then, the class examines a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Children's Literature and Art to Examine the African-American Resistance to Injustice

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners study the basic techniques Jacob Lawrence used in creating a series of paintings. They realize the importance of individual accomplishment within their own family, things as ordinary as preparing for a picnic or going to work...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Jews and Civil Rights

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's and how American Jews were involved. They discuss the responsibilities of any minority or ethnic group. They consider the process of change in politics as well.

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