These lessons open up important conversations about the relationship between advertisements and social justice. Children will see that they have the power to decide how media will influence them. They will also engage in social justice projects that address some of the unfair messages they find in advertising.

Submitted by Sarah Anderson on July 11, 2012 Keywords: Stereotypes and bias One of the simplest ways to foster compassion and understanding in our classrooms is to give students opportunities to share stories about their lives. By communicating and listening, students can break down stereotypes and see each other as real people.

Celebrating diversity is not just about recognizing other cultures and ethnicities. It is also about acknowledging that we all have rich and complex stories with varied pasts and personal struggles. The more we know about each other’s lives, the easier it is to accept and understand. 

One was the experience of working in small groups on class assignments. In fact, all three pairs identified group work as a crucial opportunity that allowed them to meet and get to know someone outside their typical circle of friends. Students also spoke about belonging to a community that honors diversity. Unlike the high school I attended, the school where I teach views diversity as an important component of students’ learning.

Submitted by Maureen Costello on July 18, 2012 Keywords: Diversity and inclusion Stereotypes and bias Bullying and exclusion Mix It Up At a time when the nation’s schools are becoming more segregated, teachers and students across the country have an opportunity to show the rest of the world they’re committed to challenging these boundaries by registering for Teaching Tolerance’s Mix It Up at Lunch Day. The Oct. 30 event,

ePal's Global Community is made up of classrooms from over 200 countries. Each classroom has a unique profile that  enables students and teachers to safely connect and collaborate on projects with classrooms worldwide. It's a learning tool that provides students to learn about new cultures and what other kids their age are like.

Empathy is most often defined by the metaphors of 'standing in someone else's shoes' or 'seeing through someone else's eyes'.

3.  Additional Research - Teams are to become the class experts on their assigned "Hot Spot."  Each team must use at least three credible sources.  If the school subscribes to data bases through the library, students can use those during the research process. Students are to attribute sources using their title, name and credentials.  Students must be able to  show that the information gathered is valid and credible.  Students cite sources using MLA style.

Students will complete a total of 4 slides each focusing on the impact of the climate, plant life, animal life, and problems. Students in the group will each contribute their research to one or more slides.Each slide will have text and a graphic. The presentation will have a theme.