Creative Ways To Teach About Identity And Diversity In Your Classroom With Social Justice

13th November 2023

Nowadays, it’s very important for every teacher to teach their elementary students about topics like identity, diversity, and social justice. Because it helps students to have a better understanding of the world and also helps them develop skills like empathy and know more about perspective-taking and bullying prevention.

After knowing the importance, you may be wondering how you can teach about it. However, there’s no need to worry because, in this blog post, we will explore strategies and techniques to effectively teach elementary students about identity, diversity, and social justice.

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So, without any further delay, let’s get started.

1. Teaching about Identification and Diversification

One of the important topics that every teacher should focus on teaching to their students in the classroom is having awareness about their own identity and respecting the identities of others as well. This will lay a solid foundation for perspective-taking and empathy for students.

We all know that parents are also the biggest teachers in children’s lives, so some of the students may have a good idea about respecting other cultures, races peers, and their own identity as well.

As a teacher, it’s your responsibility to encourage your students to be proud of their own unique identities and recognize the uniqueness of not just themselves but for others as well.

By identifying commonalities, valuing diversity, and fostering curiosity for differences, children can feel connected to people who are different from them and develop a sense of concern and desire to help.

2. Involve Major Stakeholders in the Process

While you’re planning to discuss the concept of social justice, it would be suggested to involve the student’s parents and caregivers in the topics/lessons and objectives. Try to be transparent and share all the information related to the topics or lessons that you’re going to teach with parents and caregivers before and after the lesson you’ve taught will give them a clear idea of what you have discussed in the classroom and ultimate goal which you want to reach by teaching topics related to social justice.

Additionally, inform school leaders and every admin of the school about your lesson teaching plans to give them a clear idea about it, and at the same time they could even provide support if any issue arises.

3. Repeat and Repeat Again

Understanding and remembering any topic requires time and one of the best ways to teach about identity, diversity, justice, and doing social justice work within the school is through repetition. While you’re in the teaching process, you can ask time-to-time follow-up questions from your students and if required you can start discussion as well. By incorporating the repetition method, students can understand better about this topic in a meaningful way for a longer period of time.

4. Utilize Children's Books

Books in general hold the power when it comes to teaching students about complex subjects.

Choosing children’s books that can help children connect and which also explore topics of identity, diversity, and social justice can greatly enhance student's engagement, with the lessons. It is important to select books that resonate with every student and their specific needs.

You can pick books like- An ABC of Equality, A is for Activist, and many other anti-racist children’s books can be a good starting point to teach about the concept of social justice.

5. Make Learning Engaging With Relevant Examples

Students can connect with any learning better when it’s connected to real-life examples. While you’re teaching your elementary students about the concepts of sensitive topics like social justice, always try to give them real-life examples with which they can resonate with.

For example- you can discuss the stereotypes related to dogs before discussing deep topics like age, and gender stereotypes. Remember that before sharing any example, you must think about every student and their race, background, and life experiences and make sure that it doesn’t trigger any negative emotions within them or they feel secluded.

6. Encourage Them to do Social Justice Work within the School

In addition to fostering self-awareness and knowledge acquisition, teaching elementary students about social justice requires the development of specific social skills. Students need to learn how to respectfully talk about and ask questions regarding differences. Providing sentence stems and scenarios for practice can empower students to engage in meaningful conversations.

Another important skill to teach is being an upstander – speaking up when they witness discrimination or unfair treatment. Role-playing different scenarios and practicing statements can help students become active participants in creating a more inclusive environment.

Concepts of Identity, Diversity, and Social Justice are important For Elementary Students

Education is not just attending classes, mugging lessons, and scoring good grades, it’s more than that. In today’s world, it’s very necessary to teach elementary students to teach about the concepts like Identity, Diversity, and Social Justice. Teachers, who have pursued courses like Pre Primary Teacher Training Courses, know the value of teaching this kind of concepts, which will encourage the students to do social justice work within the school.

In this blog post, we have shared various ways to teach about Identity, Diversity, and Social Justice to your students, which will foster empathy, a better understanding of sensitive topics like racism, and a sense of doing and demanding justice in students. So start implementing the above-mentioned strategies to empower the next generation to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

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