If You Are Not Teaching Current Events; Then How Can Students Relate?

In every K-12 educational program, the number one priority is to work on teaching students how to think critically, acquire new knowledge and view the world through multiple perspectives. We know and understand that our world is built on an abundance of nuances, human reasoning, and various historical perspectives written by those who were in power or through the lens of the author. So, to separate what is taught in the classroom from a student’s perspective and their community landscape can hinder their progress. We must embrace and support the whole child and all that comes with their very being!

What Are The Current Social Concerns That Will Affect Students In The Future?

In school now, students must identify current issues that will affect their generation and understand social issues in their world. Currently, the top issues I can think of are:

Are you looking for a hook to start a lesson? Multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

1. Climate Change/Destruction of Nature

2. Large Scale Conflict/Wars

3. Inequality (income, discrimination)

4. Global Health

Many of these concerns are not even addressed in our current context when it comes to K12 education. I worry that students today, will not be prepared to address the problems of tomorrow because much of our textbooks are dated, priorities are not placed on inserting this content, and much of what is going on in the world is consistently skewed by our media.

Our Students Have The Power To Change Their Circumstances!

Connection is the key! We have the ability to globally connect on issues now more than ever. Thanks to the internet, social media, and instant connectivity to anyone in the world, it is now easier for students to learn about social issues, the history/perspectives of these issues, and how they are currently affecting communities locally and abroad. It's also easier for people of all ages and of all economic and educational levels to organize, advocate, and protest current injustices.

Programs created for students to learn about critical thinking usually include social justice reform as they are multifaceted and contain several perspectives. Each reform has a solution that can be developed in several different ways (Merrimack, 2020). When teaching students about social justice,  several viewpoints have to be considered by the teacher to accommodate their lessons to all students:

If your media is not coming from the Green Top layer then maybe you need to re-identify a valid news source. [Media Bias Chart]

• First and foremost, are students learning the history of each social issue from the perspective of the oppressed or by those doing the oppressing?

• Next, since many social issues are based on race, are any of the students in the classroom of that race, and how will it affect them after learning about the issue?

• Last, does every student have the resources and to learn about each social issue outside of the classroom? (What is the practice and how do we apply their new knowledge)

 While many social issues are studied as a part of History, they are still ongoing in our society today. So what are the resources that students can utilize to learn about social issues that are happening currently? Online learning and informing their communities is key so… what will be the necessary tools to carry out the learning and how can educators connect new learning to current faculty research, peace in the field, or projects presented to specific practitioners.

What Can You Do to Ensure Everyone is Included?

In order to make sure we have everyone on board we must create a safe space and get ready to have a rich discussion! All of the questions above encompass what is known as inclusive teaching practices.  A full classroom includes a diverse group of students from various economic and social backgrounds. Inclusive teaching practices also generate interest and promote active learning (Poorvu Center). Yes, we as educators will have to be prepared for a few tough discussions but remember, we all have access to various sources, online libraries, and communities that can make the classroom rich with topics, questions, and discussions. This is a great way to provide support to not only the students but to their communities.

 Reference

Home. Ad Fontes Media. [Media Bias Chart] (2021, July 20). https://www.adfontesmedia.com/.  

 Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning.” Inclusive Teaching Strategies | Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, poorvucenter.yale.edu/InclusiveTeachingStrategies.

SocialJusticeBooks.org. (2020, June 3). [IMAGE] Teaching for Change. https://www.teachingforchange.org/socialjusticebooks-org.

The Importance of Social Justice in the Classroom and Curriculum Design -.” Merrimack M.Ed., 25 June 2020, online.merrimack.edu/social-justice-in-the-classroom/.