Further Reading:

Making Space: Teaching for Diversity

and Social Justice throughout the K-12
curriculum. Ministry of Education, British
Columbia. Online.

Available at:
www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/pdfs/making
_space/makingSpace_full.pdf. Understanding
TDSB Social Justice Action Plan. Toronto
Social Justice
What is Social District School Board. Online.

Justice?
Available at:
www.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/0/HighSchool/
A Guide for
docs/TDSBSocialJusticeActionPlan.pdf Parents/Guardians

We all want to live in a just and

peaceful society; however, history
has shown that some groups,
locally and globally, have been
treated more unfairly than others
(whereas some groups have been
more privileged than others).

Social justice education seeks to

correct that by teaching children
that all people—regardless of their
religion, creed, sexual orientation, Contact Info
ability, race, gender identity,
culture, etc.—deserve the same Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX
legal, civil, and human rights.
Email: danielle.mailloux@tdsb.on.ca
Thus, social justice involves the
inclusion of everyone, celebrating See what your child is doing in the
and accepting diversities, and classroom, visit Room14.blogspot.ca.
finding equitable ways for citizens
to be able to participate fully
within society.
 How does social justice
connect with the curriculum?
Social justice education connects to the curriculum in
multiple ways that promote respect, equity, fairness, and
inclusion. Here are some examples for each subject:
Why is it important to teach
social justice?
• Students learn about social justice builds
critical thinkers and compassionate leaders.
• Social justice supports the growth of empathy
and altruism in young people.
• The philosophy of social justice teachers
understanding and respect of all diversities
(visible and less visible).
• Students learn how to be democratic citizens
who hold the responsibility of contributing to
positive changes in their local communities,
their nation, and the world.
• It promotes the principles of fairness, human
rights, diversity, inclusion, and equity.
• It helps students recognize the multicultural
and diverse landscape in which they live.
• Students learn to recognize their own bias,
challenge stereotypes, and see cultural groups
as dynamic and diverse within themselves.
• Language and Literacy: Students explore and
critically analyze a variety of texts that illustrate
marginalized peoples and social issues.
• Math: Students choose a cause and fundraise,
keeping track of money raised using bar graphs
and charts.
• Science: Students research the effect of oil
pipeline in Canada and have an in-class debate.
Further extension can lead to writing letters to
federal governments.
• Phys. Ed & Health: Students learn to create
healthy, meaningful relationships and build
interpersonal skills while exploring issues like
bullying and relational aggression.
• Social Studies: Students learn about human
impact on melting polar ice caps, and its effect
on northern, Inuit communities.
• Dramatic Arts: Students interview newcomers to
Canada and create a monologue about the
struggles and/or joys of moving to a new
country.
• Music: Students will learn with a music class in
another country in a form of cultural sharing and
showcasing of talent. They will also collaborate
with students from this other class in creating
their own musical compositions.
What does social justice
education look like in the
classroom?
• Awareness, advocacy, and action. Students
learn about various social issues (e.g.,
poverty, racism, homophobia, ageism,
ableism, sexism, etc.) and critically
respond to, or act upon, with the
purpose of creating solutions in mind.
• All students feel appreciated, and their
uniqueness and diversities celebrated.
• Classroom posters and displays
promote acceptance of all diversities,
and all students are represented.
• Instruction is tailored to reflect the
cultural and diverse needs of all
students, with accommodations given.
• Our classroom is viewed as a
“community”, where all voices are
heard, welcomed, and valued.
• Students are given multiple
opportunities to explore social issues,
problem solve, and critically think
about the world around them.
• Authentic assessments tasks teach
students that they are agents of change.
How will technology be used
to engage students in social
justice topics?
In social justice education, students are taught that
they are not only positive contributors to their
local communities, but their global communities
too. Technology will be used to help students
connect with the world outside the classroom,
such 1) video conferencing with students their age
in other countries; 2) creating media texts that raise
awareness of social issues, using publishing
software.