Social justice is something that is incredibly important to me, and helping young students to learn more about themselves and others is my passion. Young children face real challenges in their own lives, and in how they relate to others. My goal has been to use picture books and hands-on play/art experiences to teach about topics such as racism, truth and reconciliation, gender equality and stereotypes, personal identity, immigration, diverse families, and religious diversity. As the capstone project for my Professional Master of Education degree through Queen’s University, I have created a series of scaffolded lesson plans on each chosen topic, based on different quality picture books for each grade level, with suggested discussion prompts and play-based activities that teachers can implement without spending too much (or any) money out-of-pocket…and even more importantly, without creating any more “drama and trauma” with their school community!
One of the challenges in implementing social justice education with elementary students is that it can feel very surface level, or like “checking a box”. By connecting to literacy, it is my hope that it becomes easier for teachers to schedule in social justice education and see how it connects to their curriculum. It is also my hope that by providing concrete ideas and plans it becomes less overwhelming for teachers. Sometimes we tiptoe around difficult content because we don’t want to do something wrong and create a bigger challenge…and yet, by not approaching tough topics with little learners it can become more difficult to help them consider these topics as they get older. It is my hope that through hands-on learning experiences, quality picture books, and participating in discussions, students will be able to both enjoy their learning and develop as kind, empathetic, and “fair” citizens.
Social Justice for Little Learners 