Building Classroom Community:An Anti-Racist Approach to Establishing a Social...

Full Title: Building Classroom Community: An Anti-Racist Approach to Establishing a Social Justice Classroom

“The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it—and then dismantle it.” - Ibram X. Kendi

When building classroom community, it is essential to establish routines and procedures. It is important to set the foundation for your classroom culture. Classroom culture can make or break your school year.

This resource is intended to help you establish an anti-racist classroom that embraces social justice. Each day includes an explanation for you, as well as easy to implement lessons that build classroom culture.

What is an anti-racist? “To be an antiracist is to see all cultures in all their differences as on the same level, as equal. When we see cultural differences, we are seeing cultural difference – nothing less.” Ibram X. Kendi

What is anti-racism? "Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equally." - NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity

What is social justice? The objective of creating a fair and equal society where everyone matters, their rights are recognized and protected and decisions are made in ways that are fair and honest.

What's included in this resource? In addition to the teacher explanation, this resource includes easy to implement lessons that build classroom culture. Included in this resource are the following activities:

1. In This Classroom We Believe In: a community building activity that introduces key social justices terms
2. I am Special Because: an activity which builds self image and connects to the diversity of the community.
3. Friend Tac-Toe: students learn about each other by asking questions that build respect and community
4. Your Name is a Song: an activity that talks about the importance of learning and saying people's names correctly.
5. Malala's Magic Pencil: an activity where students talk about their dreams for the world.

This digital resource can be used for in-person or digital instruction.

• For in-person instruction, use during your class meeting time by projecting the slides and annotating them using a smart board or white board.
• For digital instruction, compatible with ZOOM, Teams, Google Meets, etc. Simply start your meeting, start the slide show, and share your screen. Use the Nearpod add-on to easily convert the slides and share them with your students so that they can contribute to the conversation digitally by annotating, recording video responses, writing on the slides.

If you want to share this resource with other teachers, please share the resource link or buy an additional license. This resource may not be uploaded or distributed online for free — on a district website or outside site.

I have worked hard to create this resource, and I know your students will love it!