“We aim to connect, through stories, the local human experience to global meta-level issues, such as climate change, water scarcity, food insecurity, poverty, endangered cultures, migration, and sustainability.”
This curriculum uses interdisciplinary lens to explore stories and topics that “highlight universal themes with a humanistic lens.” Lessons examine different cultures in teach students about the diversity of others.
- Protecting Wilderness Film + Lesson Plan
- Communities on the Threshold of Change
- Repairing the Fabric of Democracy
N/A
- Companion Curriculum
- Discussion Guides
- Films
- Articles
- Virtual Reality
- Photo Essays
- Lesson Plans (English/Spanish)
- Interviews
Presence Evaluation: Some Presence
Evaluation Notes: Each lesson discusses a controversial topic like the refugee crisis, clean water in Flint, or affordable housing and has students reflect on why these events happened and what they can do moving forward (although there are no direct calls to action).
Presence Evaluation: Not Present
Evaluation Notes: In the lessons reviewed, no social action is discussed.
Presence Evaluation: Some Presence
Evaluation Notes: Some lessons have students think critically about their relationship with their community.
Presence Evaluation: Not Present
Evaluation Notes: In the lessons we reviewed, there is no discussion of a systems-wide approach to addressing social justice in schools.
Presence Evaluation: Minimal Presence
Evaluation Notes: Students are implicitly taught through photo essays, with a few lessons of explicit teaching. One example is in the lesson Even the Walls, which examines gentrification.
Presence Evaluation: Full Presence
Evaluation Notes: Students are able to learn more about themselves in the photo essays and film, and through discussion about them. One example was featured in The Fall of Flint, which required students to consider their experiences and how they could help the people of Flint obtain clean water. Far From Home has students reflect on what life could be like as a Syrian refugee. In Even the Walls, students reflect on where they live and the types of interactions they have with neighbors based on housing structures.
Presence Evaluation: Not Present
Evaluation Notes: To date, there has been no empirical study of this curriculum to evaluate its effectiveness.
Presence Evaluation: Full Presence
Evaluation Notes: Photo essays show different cultures and people in a positive way, celebrating inclusion and diversity.
Presence Evaluation: Not Present
Evaluation Notes: We are unable to evaluate this domain since it is best measured through observation.
Presence Evaluation: Some Presence
Evaluation Notes: There is discussion on how certain groups are more likely to face discrimination due to social positioning.