36 Sets of Classroom Activities Using SOCIAL JUSTICE Literature for Differentiated Instruction (Teaching Strategies: K-12 Literacy Development Using Children’s Literature)

In this volume, literature related to the concepts of “Social Justice” is the context for literacy exploration. This kind of literature involves multiple genres and addresses varied topics in social studies and the humanities. There are materials appropriate for all ages and reading experience levels. We acknowledge that Social Justice is a complex topic focused on striving for diversity, equity and inclusion in our communities without bias related to race, ethnicity, gender preference, age, or ability. We also acknowledge that to ultimately be a change agent, one must experience value of oneself, others and the environment as well as having the opportunity to explore models of change agents who used their voices and actions to make our world a more just place. The texts and topics explored in these packets invite the exploration of developmentally appropriate themes leading to a growing understanding of social justice. In these suggested packets, we use a variety of texts. Texts were selected for their meaning in terms of social justice and possibilities for student connection-making, as well as for their context for practicing varied reading strategies. This is the third book in a three volume set of reading development teaching strategies by Dr. Gay C. Ward and Dr. Margaret Y. Phinney. The activities in these three strategy books are developed for differentiated instruction. The activities, focused around a particular ‘big idea’ and using one or more pieces of literature, are designed to accommodate the needs of learners at more than one phase of reading development. The source for the differentiated instructional focuses is the Developmental Continuum that the authors have created and refined over many years (a copy is at the back of each book). Each book contains multiple literacy activity packets to use in the classroom to: support reading and language development integrate curriculum while exploring “big ideas” address common core reading and language standards provide practice in Montessori-inspired grammar activities