Children Discovering Justice Curriculum

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Children Discovering Justice: Grades K-5

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Ranked Among Top K-5 ResourcesIn 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.

Grade Level Topics
Children at Play

Testimonials

"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. 
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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

Kayla Nordman

Kayla Nordman believes strongly in expanding access to comprehensive civic education to provide the next generation with the resources they need to uphold and expand upon the values of American democracy and create a more equitable future. Before joining Discovering Justice, she worked as a Legislative Intern at the Massachusetts State House and as a Program Manager for the Massachusetts Center for Civic Education. Kayla graduated from Suffolk University with a BA in International Relations.