Children Discovering Justice Curriculum
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- Children Discovering Justice Curriculum
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 Kâ12 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.
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Testimonials
"The Discovering Justice 1st grade curriculum is a living anti-racist document."
"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 SchoolÂ
Hear from more Children Discovering Justice participants here.Â
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Professional Development
We offer virtual and in-person professional development tailored to your districtâs 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.
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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