illustration of different hands. text reads Teaching Our World: Resources That Honor Black Voices

Empower the Future: Kid Changemakers

Standards

These resources are aligned to social justice standards developed by Learning For Justice.

 

Diversity 8 DI.3-5.8

I want to know more about other people’s lives and experiences, and I know how to ask questions respectfully and listen carefully and non-judgmentally.

 

Diversity 10 DI.3-5.10

I know that the way groups of people are treated today, and the way they have been treated in the past, is a part of what makes them who they are.

 

Justice 14 JU.3-5.14

I know that life is easier for some people and harder for others based on who they are and where they were born.

 

Action 17 AC.3-5.17

I know it’s important for me to stand up for myself and for others, and I know how to get help if I need ideas on how to do this. 

 

Action 19 AC.3-5.19

I will speak up or do something when I see unfairness, and I will not let others convince me to go along with injustice.

 

Action 20 AC.3-5.20

I will work with my friends and family to make our school and community fair for everyone, and we will work hard and cooperate in order to achieve our goals.

 

 

A list of all social justice standards are available here.

I. Introduction

The stories in “Kid Changemakers” will introduce students to kids their age who are working to make a difference in the world—whether by honoring forgotten heroes from the past, speaking out against racism and injustice, helping people in need, or inspiring others to achieve their dreams. Students will read about young changemakers like Mari Copeny, who is helping people affected by the water crisis in her hometown of Flint, Michigan, and Taylor Richardson, an aspiring astronaut who is encouraging other Black girls to get involved in STEM. Together, the stories in this section convey the message that you are never too young to start trying to change the world. Students will be empowered to identify their own strengths and passions and use them to take action on issues they care about.

II. Assess Prior Knowledge

Explain to students that a changemaker is someone who is taking action to help solve a problem. Ask: Can kids change the world? Why or why not? Put students in pairs to brainstorm changemakers they have heard or read about and encourage them to talk about times in their own lives when they have worked to help make a difference. Then come back together as a class and invite students to share what they discussed.

III. Introduce Vocabulary

Below you will find terms students will come across as they read the stories in this section. Project the list for the class. Ask students to write down the terms whose meanings they would like to find out or understand better. Review terms in advance or as they come up in the stories. (Definitions can be found in our Vocabulary section.) 

  • 13th Amendment
  • abolish
  • campaign
  • character
  • charity
  • civil rights movement
  • Constitution
  • discrimination
  • emancipation
  • enslaved people
  • enslavers
  • equality
  • food insecure
  • legendary
  • mission
  • persistent
  • plantations
  • racism
  • segregation
  • slavery
  • Underground Railroad

IV. Read the Stories

Invite students to choose one or more of the following stories to read independently or in small groups. Alternatively, you may choose to read the articles aloud to the class.

“Uncovering the Past”

“Dr. King Is My Grandpa”

“Keeping the Legend Alive”

“Kindness Is His Superpower”

“I’m Saving My Community”

“I’m Giving Back”

“Shooting for the Stars”

V. Discussion Questions

After reading, select from the following questions to prompt whole-class or small-group discussions. Alternatively, students can respond in writing.

  1. What inspired the kids in the story or stories you read to fight for change? What actions did they take? What did they achieve?
  2. Describe some of the character traits that make the kids successful as changemakers. If you read more than one story, what character traits do the kids in the articles share?
  3. Do you think any kid could become a changemaker? Do you think you could? Explain why or why not, using details from the story or stories you read.
  4. Did the kids in the story or stories you read face challenges? If so, how did they overcome those challenges?
  5. Based on what you read, give at least two examples of actions you could take on an issue you care about.
  6. Do you think it is important for kids to push for change? Why or why not? Do you think kids can ever be more effective as changemakers than adults? Explain.

VI. Connect and Extend

Invite students to choose a project to dig deeper and connect with their own lives.

  • Write a letter to one of the kids you read about, thanking them for their work and explaining how they have inspired you to make a difference.

  • Pick a cause that you care about and go online to research more about it. Then create a slideshow that outlines a plan for solving a problem or achieving a goal related to that cause. Use the kid changemakers in the articles as inspiration when creating your plan.

  • Imagine that one of the kids in the articles is being featured in a movie about their work. Write and film a short trailer for the movie that conveys what this young person has achieved and how that work has affected others.

  • In the article “Dr. King Is My Grandpa,” Yolanda Renee King says, “I think kids can definitely make a difference. They can share their dreams with the world and help make their dreams happen.” Write a short essay that supports her statement, using examples from the article or articles you read or from your own life.

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