Using Stories to Navigate Conversations about Social Justice

Students need safe and intentionally created conditions to discuss the social inequalities evident in the news and in their own lives. Utilizing contemporary texts with compelling, humanizing stories about diverse characters helps students wrap their heads around the abstract concept of social justice. Using stories to start the discussion also does the work of drawing attention away from the students in the classroom, so no one feels singled out. This approach helps us to “zoom out” from the individual stories to understand the “big picture” of social inequality. This is an essential skill for your students to learn and will help your students grow into informed and empathetic community members. Join this Mackin webinar to learn more!