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Children Discovering Justice Curriculum

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  • Children Discovering Justice Curriculum
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Children Discovering Justice: Grades K-5

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In a review of over 100 history and social studies curriculum materials, CDJ has received a major vote of confidence from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Rennie Center in standards alignment, usability by teachers, and culturally responsiveness in the K–12 History/Social Science Curricular Materials Review Guide.

Children Discovering Justice

Children Discovering Justice (CDJ) is a Massachusetts standards-based K-5 civics curriculum engaging students in topics such as community, rules, leadership, and equity while answering the essential question, what is justice and how do I use my voice to advocate for it? The curriculum provides students with the foundational knowledge, skills, and dispositions to be engaged, critical, compassionate, and active leaders of our democracy, and provides teachers with the culturally responsive scaffolds, entry points, and tangibles to explore critical topics and conversations. Flexible tools and lesson activities can be integrated across multiple parts of the school day to deepen understanding, extend vocabulary, and provide opportunities for students to explore justice and make personal connections to the happenings of the world around them.

In an effort to promote equity in civics across the state and made possible by the support of our donors, Discovering Justice is ensuring Children Discovering Justice is open source through Google Drive and free to all Massachusetts school districts.

Children at Play

Testimonials

“CDJ has increased student participation across the board, it is my favorite curriculum to teach throughout the week and both me and my students look forward to it!”
Rebecca Livingston, 2nd Grade, Boston Public Schools
“Children Discovering Justice offers well-balanced lessons that foster learning and understanding about justice. The incorporation of lessons and videos featuring local leaders' faces enhances student engagement by establishing meaningful connections to state and community contexts.”
Thomas RacheleDirector of Humanities. Springfield Public Schools
“I finally feel like there's a SS curriculum that meets the diverse needs of my students. CDJ is engaging, rich, and fun! I look forward to teaching more next year!”
Jaclyn Gordon3rd Grade Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools
"The Discovering Justice 1st grade curriculum is a living anti-racist document."
Witney ChristieBoston Public Schools
"My biggest takeaway from Children Discovering Justice is that this curriculum is actually a framework for empowerment; an opportunity for educators and scholars to engage in a transformative human experience."
Fabiane NoronhaGrade 3 Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools, and Discovering Justice Board Member
"Civics is important because it lets people know what is just and unjust so people can be nicer to other people, and even sometimes animals. I enjoy civics because it gives my brain a break, as well as let it grow."
IanGrade 3 Student, Winship Elementary School 

"The Discovering Justice 1st grade curriculum is a living anti-racist document."

Witney Christie, Boston Public Schools

"My biggest takeaway from Children Discovering Justice is that this curriculum is actually a framework for empowerment; an opportunity for educators and scholars to engage in a transformative human experience."

Fabiane Noronha, Grade 3 Teacher, Cambridge Public Schools, and Discovering Justice Board Member

"Civics is important because it lets people know what is just and unjust so people can be nicer to other people, and even sometimes animals. I enjoy civics because it gives my brain a break, as well as let it grow."

Ian, Grade 3 Student, Winship Elementary School 

Hear from more Children Discovering Justice participants here. 
Read All CDJ Testimonials

Sample Lessons and Activities

Kindergarten Sample Lesson
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1st Grade Sample Lesson
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2nd Grade Sample Lesson
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3rd Grade Sample Lesson
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Children in classroom discussing justice
Good Community Members...
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Justice or Injustice?
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Professional Development

We offer virtual and in-person professional development tailored to your district’s needs and priorities, supporting educators with the frameworks, tools, and strategies needed to effectively implement this curriculum and cultivate students’ civic knowledge, skills, and dispositions across all parts of the school day.

Reach out to Chief Program Officer, Laura Brenner at lbrenner@discoveringjustice.org to inquire about PD.

Women in Classroom

Collaboration and Multiple Perspectives

Diversity of perspectives is essential to rich civil discourse, which is why it is a central component of the Children Discovering Justice curriculum. We seek to represent and explore multiple perspectives through videos of guest experts, nuanced vignettes, and discussion activities, and also embody that value through the design process. Many educators and justice advocates played a role in the design, piloting, and iteration process of Children Discovering Justice to make it what it is. We are so grateful to all the contributors for sharing their perspectives, expertise, and time.

  • Ulana Ainsworth
    Kindergarten 2 Boston Public Schools
  • Tanisha Arena
    Executive Director Arise for Social Justice
  • Kiara Batista
    Boston Public Schools
  • Tara Boudreau
    Early Elementary Instructional Leadership Specialist ELA and Math, Indian Orchard Elementary School, Springfield Public Schools
  • Stacy Braga
    Grade 2 Cambridge Public Schools
  • Angela Cao
    Grade 1 Boston Public Schools
  • Elizabeth Cebula
    Grade 2 Springfield Public Schools
  • Nehemie Cesar
    Grade 2 Boston Public Schools
  • Amara Chittenden
    Community Engagement Coordinator at Mass Audubon Boston
  • Katherine Clunis D’Andrea
    Kindergarten 1/2 Boston Public Schools
  • Tracy Coutts
    Kindergarten Boston Public Schools
  • Diana Cruz
    Grade 2 Boston Public Schools
  • Shannon DeBari
    Grade 1 Boston Public Schools
  • Dania Derivois
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Maryann Dolberry
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Emma Freter
    Multimedia Specialist
  • Samantha French
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Robin Fowlkes
    Grade 3 Springfield Public Schools
  • Jaclyn Gordon
    Grade 3 Cambridge Public Schools
  • Thomas Green
    Vice President Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag
  • Katie Henries
    Curriculum Writer Educator & School Leader
  • Max Huang-DeBow
    Motion Graphics, UX Researcher
  • Denise Hurst
    LICSW, School Committee Member Springfield Public Schools
  • Rachael Leung
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Galilea Martinez
    Campaigns & Partnerships Coordinator Voto Latino
  • Colleen Medicine
    (Ojibwe, Anishinaabe) Program Director, Association on American Indian Affairs
  • Kelsey Melo
    Grade 3 Cambridge Public Schools
  • Fabiane Noronha
    Grade 3/4 Cambridge Public Schools
  • Kara Nemeth
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Christina Nelson
    Kindergarten Boston Public Schools
  • Amirah Noaman
    Executive Director Pizza to the Polls
  • Senator Jake Oliveira
    Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester
  • Denise & Paul Pouliot
    Head Speakers Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People
  • Ruhi Rahman
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Ada Riggins
    Grade 1 Cambridge Public Schools
  • Jenelyn Santos
    Biliteracy Coach Chelsea Public Schools
  • Sarah Shecrallah
    Grade 1 Springfield Public Schools
  • Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui
    Cambridge City Council
  • Kadian Simmonds
    Instructional Coach Boston Public Schools
  • Tomantha Sylvester
    (Ojibwe) Sault Set. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
  • Heidi Thomas
    Grade 1 Boston Public Schools
  • Representative Chynah Tyler
    Massachusetts State Representative
  • Erin Wallace
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Jayne Wellman
    Director of Communications and Risk in Reading Select Board Member Tewksbury
  • Andrea Wong-Peterson
    Kindergarten 2 Boston Public Schools
  • Danielle Withrow
    Grade 3 Boston Public Schools
  • Priya Zerai
    Grade 2 Cambridge Public Schools
Alexandra

Alexandra vonBallmoos

Alex has over fifteen years of administrative experience, most recently at Boston Schools Fund. Prior to her time at BSF, she served as an Executive Assistant to the Head of School at Mother Caroline Academy, where she also provided major support to the Development office. Before her time at MCA, Alex served as an assistant at a media firm in Washington, DC.

This role oversees financial operations such as reconciliations, expense tracking, payroll, and donor acknowledgments, while managing organizational systems, employee records, and meeting coordination. It also provides event logistics, Board support, and office management, ensuring efficient processes, accurate recordkeeping, and the successful execution of programs, operations, and special events like the annual Spring Gala.

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan

Rana Suh Kannan has spent nearly her entire 20+ year career dedicated to providing students with access to high-quality education experiences that lead to strong academic outcomes. She brings extensive and diverse experiences as a teacher, school administrator, funder, and nonprofit professional. Rana is committed to Discovering Justice’s mission to enable students to become well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and desire to build and sustain an equitable democracy.

Prior to Discovering Justice, Rana spent seven years at Boston Schools Fund, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer. She co-led the development of the organization’s second fund, and ensured its operationalization across the organization. Previously, Rana played pivotal roles at organizations such as Salsify, Phoenix Charter Academy, The Achievement Network, and Roxbury Prep Charter School. Rana graduated from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Psychology. She earned her Master’s in Education Policy & Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Mehana Koch

Mehana Koch is a recent graduate of Wellesley College, where she earned a BA in Psychology. She joined Discovering Justice excited to learn about nonprofit operations and support an organization whose mission uplifts and empowers future engaged citizens.

At Discovering Justice, Mehana enjoys supporting both the administrative and fundraising needs of the organization. Her day-to-day work includes processing donations, reconciling accounting information, and maintaining a strong database. She also has played a large role in onboarding new staff and supporting large organization-wide events, such as the Annual Gala.

Bianca Lora

Bianca Lora is passionate about expanding access to civic education, uplifting historically underrepresented voices, and creating spaces where young people can grow as informed and active members of their communities. With a background spanning across organizing, policy, and fundraising, she brings a collaborative spirit to the work.

Prior to this role, she led cross-departmental initiatives for donors at the ACLU of Massachusetts, including its 800-person annual gala. Bianca has also served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for a Councilmember At-Large in Montgomery County, Maryland where she oversaw a legislative portfolio on government operations, economic development, public safety and social justice issues. She also launched an organizing campaign alongside the adjunct faculty at Prince George’s Community College with SEIU.

At Discovering Justice, Bianca plays a flexible, all-hands-on-deck role across development and communications. She supports fundraising strategy, manages the Development and Administrative Associate, external partnerships, contributes to donor engagement efforts, and leads the execution of key initiatives and events. Bianca also helps amplify the organization’s impact by producing core communications and fundraising materials.