10 Social Justice Activities to Try in Class

Social justice is the belief that everyone deserves the same economic, political, and social rights, regardless of race, socio-economic level, gender, or any other characteristics. In order to prepare youth for responsible global citizenship in the 21st century, social justice education is essential.

Everyone has a fair chance at happiness and success. We can empower the next generation to be more inclusive and accepting when we teach our children what to say and do when faced with injustice.

So if we want to facilitate kids’ learning about social justice, we need to plan tactics to make it lighter, more playful, and more interesting. Here are ten engaging social justice activities to try in class so that educators can incorporate them to inspire thoughtful discussions and promote positive change.

1. Community Mapping:

Encourage students to explore their local communities and identify social justice issues that affect them directly. Create a class map highlighting these issues, and discuss potential solutions to address them. This activity promotes community engagement and a sense of responsibility.

2. Lemon peel:

Give a lemon to each student and ask them to search for any distinguishing features, such as the lemon’s shape or brightness. After that, collect the lemons, place them in a basket, and ask students to find their lemons. This will be easy for students to grasp. The next day, peel the lemons and have the students try to find their lemons in the basket. This will teach kids that despite our differences in appearance, we are all the same on the inside.

3. Face-to-Face:

Pair up the students, and assign them to observe and interview one another. Ask pupils to list the things that separate them and what they have in common. Examine whether these characteristics are internal or external, then have a class discussion about it. After completing the task, students ought to understand the importance of valuing and appreciating individual differences.

Study Examples of Social Justice Issues:

Identifying that injustices exist in our society is another aspect of social justice. The following are important justice-related issues that primary school pupils should learn:

• Recognizing the signs of injustice, bias, and oppression.
• Knowing what privilege looks like can help students to understand what is injustice, depending on their subjective social standing, how some people’s lives may be easier and others harder.
• Understanding how people of marginalised social groups suffer as a result of unfair laws, regulations, and behaviours.
• Learning the actions of individuals and organisations that aimed to improve the justice and fairness of our world for all, such as school-based anti-racism programmes, and initiatives of government and non-government organisations.

1. Media Analysis:

Kids are surrounded – and targeted – by advertisements whether they are watching television, playing games on mobile phones, or even on their journeys from home to school, they are highly influenced by the media. You can take this as an advantage by exploring media representations of various social justice issues. Analyse how the media influences public perception and discuss ways to challenge stereotypes and promote more accurate portrayals. This activity enhances media literacy and critical thinking skills.

2. Creative Expression:

Allow students to express their thoughts on social justice issues through various creative mediums such as art, music, or spoken word poetry. This not only provides an outlet for self-expression but also encourages students to reflect on and communicate their perspectives creatively. In this way, they can represent their ideas and opinions based on their understanding.

3. Explore Social Identity:

A key component of social justice is respecting, promoting, and understanding individuals’ differences. All students should be taught that each individual is a member of several social groups at the same time. The following are a few activities that support students in expressing and appreciating their social identities in all their complexity:

Investigating and creating family trees
Sharing food and meal traditions from the home cultures of the students
Creating crafts and artwork that celebrate cultural heritage

4. Social Justice Project:

Engage students in hands-on social justice activities by organising community service projects. This could involve volunteering at local organisations, participating in advocacy campaigns, or working on projects that directly address community needs. Through direct involvement, students can make a positive impact and develop a sense of social responsibility.

5. Guest Speakers and Interviews:

Invite guest speakers or organise virtual interviews with individuals actively involved in social justice work. Hearing firsthand experiences and insights from experts in the field can inspire and motivate students to get involved in social justice initiatives. Also, learning historical narratives that highlight the experiences and contributions of important historical figures who belonged to different social groups can help the students to develop their own perspectives about social justice.

6. Teach Students How to Take Action:

Students should be taught that tackling social justice issues requires action, whether it is in the form of pointing out injustice when they experience it or working together to create an appropriate and inclusive learning environment. Elementary school children can initiate and participate in the following important activities:

• Seeing how others are handled and ensuring that each individual receives fair and respectful treatment.
• Respecting others even when we do not agree with their statements or actions.
• Role-playing activities that provide children the opportunity to practise.
• Including people who are different in identities and cultures in order to promote equality.
• Respectfully telling someone when their words or acts are biased or adverse.
• Defending oneself and other people when we experience injustice or disrespect.
• Speaking up when they see injustice or inequality based on social identity.
• Discussing social justice children’s books and films that highlight heroes who fight for inclusion and protect the weak and underprivileged.
• Educating children on important vocabulary phrases that might help them stand up for themselves and others, such as ingroup, outgroup, prejudice, and collective action.

Students who learn about social justice have the ability to celebrate their own social identities, respect others, create inclusive spaces, and speak out against injustice. Incorporating social justice activities into the classroom not only enriches students’ educational experiences but also equips them with the skills and perspectives needed to become compassionate, informed, and socially conscious individuals.

By fostering a sense of empathy and encouraging critical thinking, educators can empower their students to actively contribute to a more equitable and emotionally developed society. In addition to classroom activities, institutions like EuroKids play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals. EuroKids, with its commitment to providing quality early childhood education, lays the foundation for future learning and instils values that align with the principles of social justice.

As we strive for a more equitable world, let us remember that education is a powerful tool to bring positive change. By embracing social justice activities in our classrooms, we collectively contribute to the development of compassionate, socially conscious individuals who will play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for all. Look no further – EuroKids is here to provide your child with the perfect start on their educational journey!