LESSON RESOURCE
DONATE
BOTTOM

Character Trait Social Justice

Multimedia Resources organized by grade level (upper elementary, middle and high school)

Character Trait: Social Justice
Credit: MY HERO

 

Social Justice is demonstrated by heroes from across the globe in these featured films, art and stories. The quality of fair and just relations between the individual and society is at the core of the character trait of social justice. Meet remarkable heroes through these films, art and stories, and create a dialogue with your students on the importance of practicing social justice in our daily lives.


Black Lives Matter: Voices of Hope and Change: Recommended for Middle and High School Students

Black Lives Matter:Voices of Hope and Change Resource Link
Credit: MY HERO

Equal Justice Initiative 

The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. 

The Equal Justice Initiative

Gabriel Diamond

Bryan Stevenson and Equal Justice Initiative litigate cases for the unjustly imprisoned and work to reform the justice system.

Bryan Stevenson

By: Arthur (Trey) Carlisle

Bryan Stevenson has been recognized across the globe for the work that he has done to address poverty and racial inequality.

 

Bryan Stevenson is a public interest attorney who has dedicated his life to representing poor people and people of color who have received unjust treatment in the U.S. Criminal Justice System. 

MY HERO International Film Winner Words Have Power Film and Lesson Plans for All Grade Levels

MY HERO International Film Festival Winner Words Have Power is about a 10 year old girl who rallied her community to protest the health effects that a local power plant had on their community and succeeded in having the plant close. Lesson plan activities provided by Young Voice for the Planet and organized by grade level. 

High School Words Have Power Lesson Plan

Middle School Words Have Power Lesson Plan

Upper Elementary Words Have Power Lesson Plan

Words Have Power

Produced by:Lynne Cherry
10-year-old Jaysa rallies the community with her speeches about how the power plant causes asthma and “so much suffering.” When they succeed in shutting down the plant, Jaysa concludes that “words have power.”

Social Justice Multimedia Resources for High School and Middle School

Access to Education for All

Pedal=Sight

Produced by:Jacob & Isaac Seigel-Boettner

An Indian girl gains a bicycle, and the will to achieve.

Armene Modi

By: Amanda Molinaro

Armene Modi provides bicycles to girls in rural Indian villages so they can continue their education.

In some rural Indian villages, when boys completed grade seven, their family would buy them a bicycle to ensure they received a good education. With a bicycle, the commute to the high school would only be fifteen minutes. However, when girls completed grade seven they would not receive bicycles and would have to walk an hour each way to school. Learn how having a bicycle allows girls to continue their education in rural India. 


Viola Vaughn developed a non-profit organization, "10,000 Girls," providing education and training for young women of Senegal, Africa. She has devoted her life to helping others achieve, empowering young girls to make a difference. The goal of 10,000 Girls is to provide both education and business training to girls throughout Africa. 

Ten Thousand Girls

Produced by:Adams Sie

Mrs. Viola Vaughn runs "10,000 Girls," a project in Senegal, Africa, which aims to help girls in education and vocational training.

Viola Vaughn

By: Brande from Spokane

Viola Vaughn founded an organization that supports girls working to achieve academic success in Africa.

Educate Girls

Produced by:Skoll Foundation

In India, Educate Girls works to make education accessible to girls, mobilizing communities to help girls achieve their full potential.

India has the highest number of girls out of school and the highest number of child brides than anywhere on the planet. In many rural villages in India, a critical gender gap exists. Educate Girls has created an army working towards equal access to education for girls. 

Discussion Questions

1. Research the challenges girls in countries such as Senegal and India encounter when seeking access to education, and how their lives change if they have the opportunity to go to school? 

2. How have the groups featured in these films addressed the challenges to education girls face?

3. Do you know of any other people or organizations working to address issues that may be preventing girls from receiving an education? Who are they? Share their story with MY HERO.

 

Learning Outcomes

Students will develop critical thinking skills as they discuss the barriers girls around the world face regarding education. They will evaluate obstacles that impact the girls' ability to go to school. Students are encouraged to create an action plan. 


 

Use the multimedia resource showcase link to learn more about John Lewis who dedicated his life to advancing human rights and civil liberties.

 

John Lewis Multimedia Showcase Webpage
Credit: MY HERO

 

Use the multimedia showcase link below to learn more about Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and human rights activist who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. 

 

Nelson Mandela Multimedia Showcase Link
Credit: MY HERO

Each of these films reflect on the plight of the featured individual illustrating the ongoing struggle for equal access and personal safety in various areas around the world.

American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs

Produced by:Austin Wilkin/Grace Lee

Grace Lee Boggs is a 95-year-old Chinese American philosopher and activist and participated in a century's worth of social justice movements.

Women's Rights - PSA (2:35)

Produced by:Rajat Diwan

By boldly illustrating young women disguising themselves as young men, this PSA calls attention to the grave issue of women's safety and equal opportunity in India.

PROJECT CORAZON Matamoros

Sandi Bachom

On August 24, 2019, a group of volunteer lawyers from Lawyers For Good Government walked across the border at Matamoros, Mexico, to help asylum seekers.

Women are Gold

Lizzie Green
One woman must learn how to value herself in a society that holds men in higher esteem than women.

I'll take it from here... Because I'm a Girl

Produced by:Raj Yagnik, Shona Hamilton
One in three girls around the world is denied an education by the daily realities of poverty, conflict or discrimination.

Each of the following stories are about heroes standing up for the rights of women and children around the world.

Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe

By: Jane Wallace
Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe works to end violence and sexual exploitaton in Uganda.

RAWA

By: Wendy Jewell
RAWA promotes women's rights through non-violent action.

Maria Bashir

By: Mena from San Diego

Maria Bashir is an Afghani prosecutor and advocate for women. Story is available in text with audio.

Shirin Ebadi

By: Chloe McGee
Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer and former judge, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for fighting for the rights of women, children and refugees.

Middle and Upper Elementary Students Learn About Youth Activists Around the World and Consider the Discussion Questions and Activities

 

Students read the story and analyze the art about Iqbal Masih, a child from Pakistan who was sold into slavery by his father when he was 4 and escaped slavery at the age of 10. He began speaking internationally and was awarded the Reebok Human Rights Youth Award when he was 12 years old.  

 

Iqbal Masih

By: Stephanie and Audrey<br> from Forest Hills

Iqbal Masih was a brave advocate for child labor laws in Pakistan.

Iqbal Masih by Sydney from Laguna Beach

Iqbal Masih was a Pakistani Christian boy who became a symbol of abusive child labour in the developing world

 

Students watch the following film and read the story to learn about Vivienne Harr who, at the age of 8, founded Make a Stand Lemon-Aid to raise funds for organizations that fight child slavery.

 

Vivienne

Producer: Diane Namm

Young Vivienne Harr was deeply affected by the story of children suffering from human trafficking. So she founded Make a Stand Lemon-aid to raise fund for organizations that fight child slavery.

Vivienne Harr

By: Sue Glader

Vivienne Harr founded Make a Stand Lemon-aid to raise fund for organizations that fight child slavery.

 

Students read the story about Samantha Smith, a grade school student and peace activist. Then analyze the portrait by Robert Shetterly, noticing the text used in the portrait. 

 

Samantha Smith

By: Abbie from Taipei

Story about Samantha Smith.

Samantha Smith

Samantha Reed Smith (June 29, 1972 – August 25, 1985) was an American girl who became known as "America's Youngest Ambassador" in the United States and the "Goodwill Ambassador" in the Soviet Union during her short lifetime.

 

She wrote : "If we could be friends by just getting to know each other better, then what are our countries really arguing about? Nothing could be more important than not having a war if a war could kill everything."

Grade school student and peace activist, (1972 - 1985) Samantha was just 10 years old when she wrote the premier of the Soviet Union to ask him about his intentions for waging war. Yuri Andropov invited her to visit the Soviet Union and the success of her trip launched a 3 year odyssey of traveling the world, advocating for peace. Tragically, she and her father were killed in a plane wreck while returning home after one of their numerous peace missions.

 

Great for ESL/EFF Students: the Following Stories are Available in Text and Audio so Students Can Listen & Read Along

 

Bilaal Rajan

By: Sean from Richmond Hill

Bilaal Rajan is the founder of Making Change Now and Canada's child ambassador to UNICEF.

Ruby Nell Bridges

By: Madison

One of the most important heroes in the fight against segregation in America was a six-year-old girl, Ruby Nell Bridges.

Ana Dodson

Ana Dodson formed Peruvian Hearts to provide Peruvian orphans an education.

Discussion Questions and Activities

1. Each of the young people featured have made a positive difference. How are these heroes alike? How are they different?

2. How are these activists examples of how one person can make a difference regardless of his or her age? What issues did you feel a connection to and why?

3. Who are young activists in your own community making a difference? Share their story with MY HERO.

4. What are important issues facing your community or the world that you feel passionate about? What can you do? Create an action plan, get others involved and share your story with MY HERO.


 

Students Analyze the Hero Art Below: Appropriate for All Ages

How do each of these artists portray the strength of their social justice hero?

Consider creating a portrait of your hero, or a poster honoring someone working toward a social justice solution to submit to MY HERO.

 

Desmond Tutu

By: Steph Eberlein, Joe Lindley, Jake Fusilier

Global leader in advocating equality, compassion and justice for all

Nelson Mandela

By: David Basasira

Incorruptible: In his fight for equality among races in South Africa, Nelson Mandela is a hero for generations.

Mother Teresa

By: Michaelle from Laguna Beach

Canonized as a Saint for her work with the victims of extreme poverty

Additional Social Justice Films featuring those working for the benefit of others.

Jessica Mayberry | Video Volunteers

Marc Ostrick

Jessica is the founder of Video Volunteers (VV), a human rights media organization's impact on people from India's most marginalized communities.

Made in Madras

Mohit Arora, Aishwarya Ashok, Shikha Kumari

Made in Madras is the story of an 18-year-old soccer player, Sangeetha, who lives on the streets of Madras (aka Chennai).

The Office of Missing Children

Produced by:REVEAL

More than 2,600 kids were separated from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border under President Donald. What happened to those children?

Students can share their Hero Essays, Films and Art through our Create Program

How to use MY HERO's Create Program to Publish Stories, Art, Film and Audio for Students

Tutorial for students: Publish written stories, film, original artwork and audio in MY HERO's multimedia library.

Create Program
Credit: MY HERO

Outstanding essays submitted to MY HERO will be considered for a certificate/t-shirt prize or be featured on the Story Homepage.

Submit your artwork to be entered in the MY HERO art contest or to be exhibited on our Gallery Homepage.

Students can submit their films for free with a waiver to the MY HERO International Film Festival.

Additional MY HERO Multimedia Resources Connected to Social Justice

International Day of the Girl Lesson Plan

By: Laura Nietzer

Multimedia Resources and Lesson Plan for Elementary, Middle and High School Students. Includes discussion guide and learning outcomes.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women Teacher Lesson Plan

By: Laura Nietzer

Share the importance of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 

Human Rights Day Teacher Lesson Plan

By: Laura Nietzer

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948.

For Additional Resources and Lesson Plans, Go to the MY HERO Lesson Plan Center

Lesson Plan Center
Credit: MY HERO

Learn about a New Hero Every Day of the Year: Use the MY HERO Calendar in the Classroom



Organizer created on 8/21/2019 5:21:59 PM by Xenia Shin

Last edited 12/29/2020 2:12:19 PM by Laura Nietzer

TOP