socialjusticeinchildrenslit

Putting a Stop to the Vicious Circle

The top result for vicious circle when searching on Google is the following definition, “a sequence of reciprocal cause and effect in which two or more elements intensify and aggravate each other, leading inexorably to a worsening of the situation.” So many issues involving hate, prejudice, and stereotypes seem to be part of one orContinue reading “Putting a Stop to the Vicious Circle”

A Critical Issue

I did not intend for the three books that I read this week to end up in a single post. Each book is worthy of its own post and deserves a thorough examination. However, while each book serves a different purpose and tells a different story, they each include at least one episode of policeContinue reading “A Critical Issue”

Easy as ABC

As a special education teacher, I can attest to the fact that sometimes “easy as ABC, 123” is in the eye of the beholder. While alphabet books might traditionally be pictured in primary classrooms, they are becoming more and more common in the libraries of young adults and adults. Activist ABCs or the ABCs ofContinue reading “Easy as ABC”

Activating Hope

Sometimes hope has a reputation of being a passive emotion. Hope does not require action. However, without hope, action is rarely taken. The motivation to work to change the world for the better comes from hope. In Hope Nation, edited by Rose Brock, young adult authors write about a moment in their lives when hope wasContinue reading “Activating Hope”

Simple Solutions

I am thankful for children. I believe that some of the most hopeful and loving people in the world are children and that if adults could maintain some of these childlike qualities, we would all be better off. I am also thankful for schools as I believe that educational institutions are one of the bestContinue reading “Simple Solutions”

When Labels are Limiting

Sometimes being able to name something is liberating. Coming out to family and friends as gay or transgender can be terrifying, but it is often the moment when someone finally is able to relax. Knowing that one’s struggles in school are related to a diagnosis such as dyslexia or attention deficit disorder doesn’t make thoseContinue reading “When Labels are Limiting”

Building Awareness

Recently, I worked with two students on a compare and contrast exercise in a nonfiction text. We were reading My Librarian is a Camel by Margriet Ruurs, which explains how children in various places around the world get access to books. (I would highly recommend this book if you have not read it.) I askedContinue reading “Building Awareness”

Best Intentions

Over time, the practice of education has become more and more of a collaborative endeavor. We think of students as “our kids” rather than “my kids and your kids” when we are planning for instruction and analyzing student assessment data. To me, one of the key requirements for effective collaboration between anyone and in anyContinue reading “Best Intentions”

Repairing the World

I recently had the pleasure of attending a performance of The Ugly Duckling by Lightwire Theater on a school field trip. This very original production using music, puppets, and lighting, did an exceptional job of communicating a message of acceptance of differences to our students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The performance ended with the charactersContinue reading “Repairing the World”

The View from Every Angle

One of the first things that we do as educators when we have a new class or welcome a new student is to build relationships. Getting to know our students, their passions and interests, is a necessity in order to bring learning to life for them. However, in the rush to cover content and toContinue reading “The View from Every Angle”