About
This website was created with the support of the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies at the University of Iowa. The work stems from an Obermann Working Group about Social Justice in K-12 Education.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Pam Wesely at 319-335-5261 or pamela-wesely@uiowa.edu.
College of Education
University of Iowa
Lindquist Center
240 South Madison Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
Exit Survey
After spending time on the Social Justice Resource website, please complete this brief exit survey. This survey will help the site managers with content, user demographics, and organization.
Teacher Resources
This list of websites, documents, activities, and other online materials offers a variety of perspectives and topics on teaching for social justice in K-12 schools. All materials are free and easily accessible with no registration.
Mathematics
- (For Teachers) Research Project: Teaching Mathematics with a Social Justice Focus PDF
- (For Teachers) Critical Pedagogy and Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice PDF
- (For Teachers) Teaching Mathematics for Social Justice
- (For Teachers) Making Numbers Count
- (All Grades) Radical Math- A Guide for Integrating Issues of Social and Economic Justice Issues into Mathematics Curriculum
- (Middle School) Mathalicious Lessons Related to Social Justice
English & Language Arts
- (For Teachers) Reading Literature and Cultural Identity
- (Elementary School) The Art of Observation through Poetry
- (Middle School) Rants! Not Just for Complaining- Expressive Writing Lesson Plans
- (High School) Pocahontas and Racism/Sexism
- (High School) Lesson Plan Addressing Race and Racism
History & Social Sciences
- (For Teachers) Talking and Teaching About the Fall 2018 Migrant Caravan
- (For Teachers) A Brief History of Immigration
- (For Teachers) The Making, and Unmaking, of a Child Soldier (Civil War in Sierra Leone)
- (Middle School & High School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in Social Studies
- (Middle School & High School) I Witness: Social Justice Activities for the Social Sciences - Language link in the top right corner
- (Middle School & High School) I Witness: Social Justice Activities for World History - Language link in the top right corner
- (High School) Social Justice through the lens of the Black Panthers
- (High School) The Roots of Immigration From El Salvador and Current Policy Debates
Science
- (For Teachers) Teaching Science and Social Justice
- (For Teachers) I Teach Science, Can I Be a Multicultural Educator?
- (For Teachers) Science Education for Social Justice
- (For Teachers) Promoting Authentic Projects in Secondary Classrooms PDF
- (For Teachers) Making the Case for Case Studies NSTA
- (Middle School) Bringing Social Justice into the Science Lab
- (High School) When Talking About Race, Don't Forget the Biology Teacher
Performing Arts
- (For Teachers) League of Voices for Equality
- (For Teachers) Justice Choirs
- (For Teachers) Social Justice in Choral Music Education
- (For Teachers) The Sound of Justice- PRIZM Chamber Orchestra
- (For Teachers) Orchestral Music for Social Change
- (For Teachers) Street Symphony- Social Justice at the Heart of Music Making
- (For Teachers) Life, Music, and Social Justice for All
- (For Teachers) Move to the Music- Protest Songs in the Classroom
- (All Grades) 4 Resources to Teach Kids About Social Justice Through Music
- (All Grades) Exploring Social Justice Through Music
- (Elementary School) Article- Teaching Social Justice in the Elementary Music Class
- (Middle School & High School) Teaching Social Justice in the Music Classroom
- (Middle School & High School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in Music
- (Middle School & High School) Music and Social Justice Movements
- (Middle School & High School) Art and Social Justice - PBS
Visual Arts
- (For Teachers) Art and Social Justice- PBS
- (For Teachers) Using Visual Arts to Explore Community
- (For Teachers) Art as a Tool for Social Advocacy
- (For Teachers) We Love Art!
- (Elementary) Art and Activism
- (Middle School & High School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in the Arts
- (Middle School & High School) Resilience through Art
- (High School) Art as Resistance, Part 1
- (High School) Art as Resistance, Part 2
- (Elementary K-6) Pinwheels for Peace
- (K-12) Hexagon Project
Journalism
- (For Teachers) Social Justice Projects in the Classroom
- (For Teachers) Picture Justice
- (Middle School & High School) Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice
- (Middle School) Fighting Fake News
- (Middle School & High School) Journalism for Justice
Foreign Language & ELL/ESL
- (For Spanish Teachers) Teaching Social Justice Through Grammar
- (For Teachers) The Digital Language Divide
- (For Teachers) The Digital Language Divide 2.0- Engaging Hispanic Youth
- (For Language Teachers) Restoring the Ojibwe Language
- (For Language Teachers) Preserving Indigenous Languages Through Twitter
- (For Language Teachers) Resources that Address Issues of Race, Diversity, and Social
** Indicates Web Page Editor Recommendation
All Grades
- Anti Defamation League Resources for Educators **
- Why Teaching About Social Justice Matters
- Teaching Tolerance- Multiple Lessons for Every Grade with Resources for Educators
- Social Justice Standards for K-12 Classrooms
- (For Teachers – All Grades) Five Must-Have Resources to Make Back-to-School Gender Inclusive (Human Rights Campaign)
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Using Gender Neutral Language in Your Classroom PDF
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Let's Talk About Ableism
- (For Teachers- All Grades) What Does an Inclusive School Look Like?
- (All Grades) Moving Beyond Gender Barriers - With Lesson Plans
- (All Grades) Lessons on Gender and Sexual Identity
- (All Grades) Discussing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Identity and Issues- With Lesson Plans
- (All Grades) Schools in Transition: A guide for supporting transgender students in K-12 schools PDF
- (All Grades) Lessons on Civil Rights and Activism
- (All Grades) Discussing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Issues
- (All Grades) Bullying and Cyber Bullying Resources
- (All Grades) Empathy Toolkit and Activities PDF
- (All Grades) 4 Resources to Teach Kids About Social Justice Through Music
- (K-12) Hexagon Project
Elementary School (PreK-6)
- 5 Activities to Teach Preschoolers About Hunger
- Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice
- Blog on Teaching Social Justice in Primary Classrooms
- Diversity Lesson Plans and Activities
- Article- Teaching Social Justice in the Elementary Music Class
- Activities to Learn about Poverty
- (Elementary) Using Their Words- Multidisciplinary units in Social Justice **
- (Elementary) Math and Social Justice Lesson Plans
- (Elementary K-2) Lessons on Disability
- (Elementary 3-5) Lessons on Disability
- (Elementary) Teaching Others about Autism
- (Elementary) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLESN)
- (Elementary School 3-5) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (Elementary) Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice
- (Elementary School K-2) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (Elementary School) The Art of Observation through Poetry
- (Elementary School) Article- Teaching Social Justice in the Elementary Music Class
- (Elementary) Art and Activism
- (Elementary K-6) Pinwheels for Peace
Middle School (7-8)
- Classroom Resources (Teaching Tolerance - A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center) **
- Understanding and Challenging Ageism (Civics)- With Lesson Plans
- Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice
- Teaching Social Justice Through Mathematics
- Analyzing the School Holiday Calendar
- Searchable Lessons on Social Justice
- Activities to Learn About Poverty
- Diversity Lessons Plans and Activities
- (Middle School) Mathalicious Lessons Related to Social Justice(High School) Math and Social Justice Lesson Plans
- (Middle School) Math and Social Justice Lesson Plans
- (Middle School) Rants! Not Just for Complaining- Expressive Writing Lesson Plans
- (Middle School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in Social Studies
- (Middle School) I Witness: Social Justice Activities for the Social Sciences
- (Middle School) I Witness: Social Justice Activities for World History
- (Middle School) Bringing Social Justice into the Science Lab
- (Middle School) Teaching Social Justice in the Music Classroom
- (Middle School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in Music
- (Middle School) Art and Social Justice - PBS
- (Middle School) Searchable Lessons on Social Justice in the Arts
- (Middle School) Resilience through Art
- (Middle School) Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice
- (Middle School) Lessons on Disability
- (Middle School) What is Agism?
- (Middle School) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLESN)
- (Middle School) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (Middle School) Civil Rights or Human Rights?
- (Middle School) GLESN Educator Resources LGBTQ
- (Middle School) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (Middle School) Bullying, Bias, and Diversity
- (Middle School) Lessons on Religion
- (Middle School) Music and Social Justice Movements
- (Middle School) Art and Social Justice - PBS
- (Middle School) Resilience Through Art
- (Middle School) Fighting Fake News
High School (9-12)
- The First Amendment in Public Schools (History, Government)- With Lesson Plans
- Understanding and Challenging Ageism (Civics)- With Lesson Plans
- Best Gender Equality Podcasts
- Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice
- Engaging and Understanding Non-religious People
- Analyzing the School Holiday Calendar
- Searchable Lessons on Social Justice **
- Diversity Lesson Plans and Activities
- Activities to Learn about Poverty
- Social Justice Curriculum for High School
- (High School) 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge
- (High School) Math and Social Justice Lesson Plans
- (High School) Pocahontas and Racism/Sexism
- (High School) Lessons on Disability
- (High School) Art and Social Justice - PBS
- (High School) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLSEN)
- (High School) Chinese in the 19th Century
- (High School) Music and Social Justice Movements
- (High School) "Wedding Cake, Same-Sex Marriage, and Discrimination"
- (High School) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (High School) Bullying, Bias, and Diversity
- (High School) Lessons on Religion
- (High School) The First Amendment
- (High School) Teaching Unit on Ableism
- (High School) Resilience Through Art
- (High School) Art as Resistance, Part 1
- (High School) Art as Resistance, Part 2
- (High School) Do Something - Volunteer and Social Change Platform
- (High School) Global Openess Project
Tolerance
- (For Teachers) Classroom Resources (Teaching Tolerance - A Project of the Southern Poverty Law Center)
- (For Teachers) Social Justice Projects and Lessons - Padlet
- (For Teachers) Teaching Tolerance (Multiple Lessons for All Grades with Resources for Educators)
- (For Teachers) Slurs, Offensive Jokes, and How to Respond (Multiple Lessons for Middle School and High School)
- (For Teachers) Green Card Voices
- (Elementary) Community Pride
- (Middle School & High School) What is Agism?
- (For Teachers) EdChange
Race & Bias
- (For Teachers) How to Talk About Racism
- (For Teachers) Three Skills You Need to Discuss Race in Classrooms
- (For Teachers) Engaging Young People in Conversations about Race and Racism
- (For Teachers) Challenging Racial Injustice
- (For Teachers) Seven Things We Learned from the DC Area Black Lives Matter Week of Action in Schools
- (For Teachers- All Grades) A Framework for Teaching Slavery
- (For Teachers) Exchanging Stories - The Effects of Naming
- (For Teachers) The Problem with Little White Girls, Boys, and Voluntourism
- (For Teachers) Black Lives Matter at School
- (For Teachers) Talking about Race (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
- (Elementary) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLSEN)
- (Elementary) Questioning Columbus
- (Elementary School 3-5) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (Elementary) Teaching Young Children About Bias, Diversity, and Social Justice
- (Elementary School K-2) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (Middle School) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLSEN)
- (Middle School) Race & Ethnicity Learning Plans
- (High School) Lesson Plans on Diversity (GLSEN)
Global Issues
- (For Teachers) Islam, Social Justice, and the Global Refugee Crisis
- (For Teachers) How Schools Around the World Are Tackling Social Justice- Part 1
- (For Teachers) How Schools Around the World Are Tackling Social Justice- Part 2
- (All Grades) Teaching about Refugees (UNHCR)
- (High School) Global Openess Project
- (For Teachers) UN Sustainable Development Goals
Gender
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Five Must-Have Resources to Make Back-to-School Gender Inclusive (Human Rights Campaign)
- The Advocates for Human Rights – Stop Violence Against Women
- (For Teacher) Difference Between Gender and Sexuality
- (For Teachers) Oppression in a 3-piece Suit
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Using Gender Neutral Language in Your Classroom. PDF
- (All Grades) Moving Beyond Gender Barriers - With Lesson Plans
- (All Grades) Lessons on Gender and Sexual Identity
- (All Grades) Discussing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Identity and Issues- With Lesson Plans
- (All Grades) Schools in Transition: A guide for supporting transgender students in K-12 schools
Civil Rights
- Resources (Civil Rights Teaching)
- (All Grades) Lessons on Civil Rights and Activism
- (Elementary) Civil Rights Activity Book: puzzles, songs and photos to teach children about events of the civil rights movement.
- (Middle School & High School) Civil Rights or Human Rights?
- (High School) Human Rights Personal Stories (Voices of Youth)
LGBTQ
- (For Teachers) Difference Between Gender and Sexuality
- (All Grades) Discussing Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Issues
- (Elementary) Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)- Educator Resources
- (Middle School) GLSEN Educator Resources
- (High School) GLSEN Educator Resources
- (High School) "Wedding Cake, Same-Sex Marriage, and Discrimination"
- (For Teachers) Think B4 You Speak (GLSEN)
Bullying and Cyberbullying
- (All Grades) Bullying and Cyber Bullying Resources
- (All Grades) Empathy Toolkit and Activities PDF
- (Elementary 3-5) Using Their Words- Don't Start (Bullying)
- (Elementary K-2) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (Elementary 3-5) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (Middle School) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (Middle School) Bullying, Bias, and Diversity
- (High School) Lessons on Bullying and Bias
- (High School) Bullying, Bias, and Diversity
Religious Freedom
- (Elementary 3-5) Lessons on Religion
- (Middle School) Lessons on Religion
- (Middle School & High School) Analyzing the School Holiday Calendar
- (High School) Lessons on Religion
- (High School) The First Amendment
Disability Education
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Let's Talk About Ableism
- (For Language Teachers) Languages Without Limits - Teaching languages to special needs students
- (For Teachers- All Grades) What Does an Inclusive School Look Like?
- (For Teachers- High School) Teacher's Guide: Ableism PDF
- (For Teachers- Middle School & High School) Summer Camps in Iowa for Special Needs Students & Volunteer Opportunities
- (Elementary) Teaching About Ableism
- (Elementary) Teaching Others about Autism
- (Elementary) Disability Awareness Activities
- (Elementary K-2) Lessons on Disability
- (Elementary 3-5) Lessons on Disability
- (Middle School) Disability Awareness Packet PDF
- (Middle School) Lessons on Disability
- (High School) Teaching Unit on Ableism PDF
- (High School) Lessons on Disability
Advocacy
Media
This list of books, videos, and other recommended resources not available online offers a place for educators to start building a social justice library or collection.
Elementary
- (Elementary) 40 Picture Books for Young Activists
- (Elementary) A Mighty Girl- Books, Toys, and Apparel for Confident, Strong, Courageous Girls
- (All Grades) 50 Book Lists for Social Justice
- (Elementary) National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) Social Justice Book List - Pre-K through Gr. 3 p. 4-15
- (Elementary) NNSTOY Social Justice Book List- Gr. 4-6 p. 16-29
- (Elementary) LGBTQ Picture Books
- (Elementary) Children's Books about Kids with Special Needs
Middle School
- (All Grades) 50 Book Lists for Social Justice
- (Middle School) Social Justice Books for Teens
- (Middle School) NNSTOY Social Justice Book List- Gr. 7-9 p. 30-41
- (Middle School) 8 Empowering Middle School Novels for Kids Interested in Social Justice
- (Middle School) LGBTQ Middle School Books
High School
- (High School) Books on Race and Racism
- (All Grades) 50 Book Lists for Social Justice
- (High School) Social Justice Books for Teens
- (High School) NNSTOY Social Justice Book List- Gr. 10-12 p. 42-69
- (High School) LGBTQ Young Adult Books
- (High School) LGBTQ Biographies and Autobiographies
For Teachers
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Social Justice Books for Educators
- (For Language Teachers) Critical Inquiry in Language Study
- (For Language Teachers) Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Book List for Becoming an Anti-Bias Educator
- (All Grades) 50 Book Lists for Social Justice (Ex. Arabs and Arab American, Black History, Jewish Identity, Women, White Identity, etc.)
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Disability in Kid Lit
- (For Teachers- All Grades) NNSTOY Social Justice Book List
- (For Teachers- All Grades) LGBTQ Biographies and Autobiographies
- (For Teachers-All Grades) "Multiplication is for White People": Raising Expectations for Other People's Children
- (For Teachers-All Grades) The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children
- (For History Teachers) Teaching What Really Happened: How to Avoid the Tyranny of Textbooks and Get Students Excited About Doing History
- (For Social Studies Teachers) A People's History of the United States
- (For Social Studies Teachers) Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong
- (For Math Teachers) Rethinking Mathematics: Teaching Social Justice by the Numbers
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Social Justice Podcasts for Educators
- (For Teachers) EverthingESL- A Blog About English Language Learners
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Restorative Justice Podcasts for Educators
- (For Teachers- All Grades) Podcast- Making School a Safe Place for LGBTQ Students
- (For Teachers) 8 podcasts every social justice advocate should follow
- (For Teachers) Pushing the Edge
- PBS Movies on Civil Rights (Free Online)
- (For Teachers) Multicultural Education video featuring Dr. Sonia Nieto
- 25 Mini-Films for Exploring Race, Bias and Identity With Students (New York Times)
- Babble- The Best Documentaries on Social Justice
- Teaching Tolerance Film-Kits (All Grades)
- Short Films on Race and Racism
- 21 Social Justice Documentaries on Netflix
These links will take you to academic research to support the teaching of social justice in our schools.
- (Administration) Promoting social justice in schools: Principal's political strategies
- (Administration) Disrupting injustice: Principals narrate the strategies they use to improve their schools and advance social justice
- (Administration) A study of rural high school principals' perceptions as social justice leaders PDF
- (Administration) Principals leading for educational equity: Social justice in action (Dissertation) PDF
- (Counselors) Social Justice Advocacy Framework for Professional School Counselors PDF
- (Teachers) Teaching for Social Justice: Veteran High School Teachers' Perspectives PDF
- (Teachers) Creating Classrooms for Social Justice
- (Teachers) Social Justice and Music Education in the Post 9/11 United States PDF
- (Elementary Teachers) Six Elements of Social Justice Curriculum Design for the Elementary Classroom
Current Group Participants
- Pam Wesely, Chair (Associate Professor, Foreign Language and ESL Education Program)
- Will Coghill-Behrends (Director, Teacher Leader Center)