16 Children's Books about refugees

16 Children’s Picture Books About Refugees

by Marsha Rakestraw As war, climate change, persecution, and hunger challenges escalate, the number of refugees worldwide, and the challenges facing them and their host countries, continue to grow. And while we adults struggle with what to do and how (or whether) to help, many children may also be seeking understanding and wanting some answers….

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Resources for Teaching and Learning About Intersectionality

by Marsha Rakestraw All of us have a variety of characteristics that contribute to who we are: our gender and ethnicity. Our income level and beliefs about religion/spirituality. Our sexual orientation and level of able-bodiedness. Our geographic location and age. And so much more. Each of these characteristics can influence both our level of privilege…

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#FridayFeature: 3 Videos About Intersectionality

by Marsha Rakestraw Less than two months ago, Justine Damond was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer for an unknown reason. Her story has repeatedly made international headlines. Many people are now familiar with her name and her tragic story. Justine was a white woman. Many people also recognize these names: Eric Garner….

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Embracing Compassion Toward All: An Interview With Author Mark Hawthorne

Mark Hawthorne is an activist and the author of three books on animal rights and social justice: A Vegan Ethic: Embracing A Life Of Compassion Toward All; Bleating Hearts: The Hidden World of Animal Suffering; and Striking at the Roots: A Practical Guide to Animal Activism, which empowers people around the world to get active…

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12 Children’s Picture Books about Human Rights Issues

Every human being has rights. From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, each of us – woman, child, and man – has certain rights that are meant to help us live with sufficiency, safety, and dignity. December is Universal Human Rights Month, an especially poignant…

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Resources: What is Powerful?

What is Powerful?

This icebreaker activity helps students explore power and understand the systems in play that create and perpetuate privilege and oppression. Recommended for grades 5-8. Time: several days of a 45-minute class

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Resources: Picturing Oppression

Picturing Oppression

Use images from magazines and other sources to spark students to consider the ways oppression, exploitation and dominance of animals and other people are still prevalent. Recommended for grades 7 and up. Time 60-90 minutes   Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core for grades 7-8. Download Common Core for grades 9-12….

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Resources: Human rights for all?

Human Rights for All?

This activity familiarizes students with the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and inspires them to think about the freedoms they enjoy that others cannot. Recommended for grades 9 and up. Time: 30-45 minutes   Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core for grades 9-12.   Find out how some of our other…

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Resources: Free at Last?

Free at Last?

Use visuals of everyday things around us to introduce and explore the concepts of freedom and oppression. Recommended for grades 5 through 8. Time: 15-30 minutes   Common Core Standards for this activity (pdf): Download Common Core for grades 5-8.     Find out how some of our other activities connect to Common Core Standards…

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