The Power of Words: Social Justice Words

Poets generally choose each word carefully, and Robinson Jeffers is no exception to this rule. Look closely at Jeffers' word choice in "Inscription for a Gravestone" and "The Deer Lay Down Their Bones" through discussion and writing....

Following extensive modeling about how to apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to learn new words, partner teams create brief word presentations to teach new vocabulary to the class. Preselect words from upcoming social studies,...

Action is the heart of change. Encourage class members to not only identify critical social justice issues in their school or community but to take action as well. As individuals or as groups, they research a situation, develop a...

It is easy to forget the power that written or spoken word can have in effecting change. Using quotations from such inspirational leaders as Maya Angelou, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., encourage your class members to...

"But we're tired, and exhausted, from trying to be something we're not." Insecurity from body image can play a significant role in adolescence and into adulthood. Watch as two young poets tackle this issue head on through the creative...

One of the reasons presidential inaugural speeches are so inspiring is the way word choice reflects the historical context of the time. An interactive timeline invites learners to click on their president of choice and view the most...

"Can the connotation of a word or phrase create bias or prejudice?" The activities in this SMART Board instructional activity are directed toward this question, which will be sure to incite lots of opinions and ideas. The SMART Board...

Learners study and discuss the section of the Constitution that refers to the executive branch. They write a new section or clause describing a new duty for the president of the United States. Students define the word power and proposal.

Where does power come from, and why does it matter? This video will spark engaged thought and conversation amongst your class as it discusses the origins of power, how it's exercised, and what young learners can do to become powerful in...

Investigate word roots and build vocabulary with this online resource. Using a word bank, information about Latin roots, and a definition, learners fill in the missing letters in each word. This activity prompts pupils to think about the...