Humane Educator's Toolbox: Exploring the Roots of Youth Violence

There's no shortage of violence against youth in the U.S. But, what are the causes and how can we as educators, students, parents and activists best respond proactively to such a tragedy and help nurture systems and conditions that allow youth to grow into happy, humane citizens and changemakers?

Three organizations in Chicago (Project NIA, The Chicago Freedom School and Teachers for Social Justice), along with many volunteers, have created a curriculum guide to analyze the root causes of youth violence and to develop positive solutions: Something is Wrong: Exploring the Roots of Youth Violence. (pdf)

The 350-page guide is divided into several sections, including:

• Understanding Oppression
• Types of Violence Encountered by Young People
• Artivism
• Youth-led Research and Organizing
• Curricular Resources

The lesson plans include a mix of discussions, readings, film viewings, interactive explorations, and critical thinking and analysis, as well as opportunities for students to engage in changemaking in their communities. The guide also includes plenty of useful resources and suggestions.

There's enough useful material here to last an entire school year, so be sure to download a copy and look for ways to integrate these lessons and concepts into your own teaching.

~ Marsha

Image courtesy of Teachers for Social Justice.

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