National Education Association Social Justice Lesson Plans

Mission of Organization

“Our mission is to advocate for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to fulfill the promise of public education to prepare every student to succeed in a diverse and interdependent world.”

Curriculum Description

The Social Justice Lesson Plans offer seven differentiated lessons, organized by grade, that examine the ways NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Recipients enacted social justice in their lives and communities.

Curriculum Materials Reviewed
  • Coeur d’Alene Tribe
  • Jerry Gore
  • Blaine Kamalani Kia
  • Daniel Rodriguez
  • Dr. Paul Hernandez
  • Susan Bartley
  • Tony Stewart
Source of Funding
  • Teacher Leadership Initiative
  • National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
  • National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
Learning Resources
  • Reading Handouts
Target Population/Grade Levels
Cost Per Classroom
Free
Training
N/A
Domain Presence
Critical Consciousness

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Critical consciousness is fully developed throughout all the lessons. 

Social Action

Presence Evaluation: Some Presence

Evaluation Notes: There is discussion about NEA award recipients’ past social action to address inequality but the curriculum does not provide a plan to engage students in their own social action.

Reciprocal Community Relationship

Presence Evaluation: Not Present

Evaluation Notes: None of the lessons we reviewed focused on community engagement.

Systems Wide Approach

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: While the lessons cover bias and injustice and how individuals overcame it, there are numerous materials within the website to support systemic change at the classroom, school, and district level. 

Explicit Teaching of Social Justice Principles

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Social justice terminology and concepts are central components of the lessons reviewed. 

Self-Reflection

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Students are able to learn more about themselves by engaging in discussion about possible similarities between their lives and the individuals profiled. 

Evidence Based

Presence Evaluation: Not Present

Evaluation Notes: To date, there has been no empirical study of these materials to evaluate its effectiveness.

Inclusion and Equity

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Lessons promote values that would lead to students enactment of equity and inclusivity. 

High Expectations

Presence Evaluation: N/A

Evaluation Notes: We are unable to evaluate this domain since it is best measured through observation.

Social Identities

Presence Evaluation: Full Presence

Evaluation Notes: Students had many opportunities to learn about people who were marginalized due to their social identities and how they overcame oppression.