The circles all around us

 Title: The Circles All Around Us

Author/Illustrators: Brad Montague and Kristi Montague

Purchase link: https://sweetpipes.com/product/prh097-circles-all-around-us/

Teacher Resource: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/browse?search=circles%20all%20around%20us&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20319154550&gbraid=0AAAAADncKPVO4xFw_-I3mPVP8euNTAaGu&gclid=CjwKCAiAoNbIBhB5EiwAZFbYGODtjZeIjiHZxVrd1G35M5ynbXOkgJeYNhQT3E8uw8T8ZxYem5JEABoCqGMQAvD_BwE

Summary

    The Circles All Around Us is a vibrant picture book that shows how everyone is part of multiple circles of relationships, communities, and experiences. Through playful text and vibrant illustrations, the story illustrates how people, nature, and events are interconnected, and how our actions can influence the world around us. It encourages readers to recognize both small and large ways they influence others, promoting empathy, understanding, and mindfulness.

Connection to Element 5: Helping Children See Themselves as Agents of Change

    This book supports Element 5 because it encourages children to recognize the power they have to affect their communities and the people around them. By showing how all actions ripple through different circles, the story helps students see that even small choices can make a difference. It empowers children to take responsibility, make positive decisions, and contribute to meaningful change, reinforcing the idea that they are capable of shaping the world in their own ways.

Grades 4–8 Lesson Idea

    After reading “The Circles All Around Us,” students can explore the circles they are part of in their own lives, including their family, friends, school, neighborhoods, and larger communities, and reflect on how they can make a positive difference.

Activity Options:

• Reflective Drawing/Writing: Students create a diagram of their own circles, labeling people, places, or groups they interact with, and write about how they can positively impact each circle.

• Social Action Connection: Students identify a social issue they care about and brainstorm actions that could make a difference in their community or circle.

• Discussion: Students share examples of figures or personal role models who positively influenced their communities, connecting the idea of circles to real-life change.

Sometimes People March

 

Sometimes People March

 Written and illustrated by Tessa Allen

Social Justice Element 6: Social Action

Summary:

The story of the book follows a diverse group of people, as well as all the different reasons why those people have marched in the past and may want to march for any reason in general. It shows that when people come together, they can make change, and that change can inspire others to do the same, as well as to resist injustice together and spread hope. It tells the importance of listening to others' stories as well as sharing your own to come together and stand for what is right.

Social Justice Aspect:

This book demonstrates social justice element 6 because it directly encourages children to take a stand, march for the change they want to see in the world, take action, and stand up for what is right. It ties into the social justice aspect because it identifies an issue, organizes how to handle it, and marches for it, actively protesting and protecting what is right.

Activity:

This book can be used to teach grades 3-5, and an activity I would create based on this book is that I would have my students write letters to their town or city explaining a change they want to see where they live and protesting for it. Whether that is them protesting that recycling should be more enforced where they live, or an event they think would help others, such as a food drive or donations.

Where to purchase

Teacher Resource

Let the Children March

 

Let the Children March

by Monica Clark- Robinson

Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Summary:

A powerful book led by an African American girl from Birmingham, Alabama. She thought and planned of protesting for equality after heating Martin Luther King Jr. speech. Unfortuntly, the children went through a lot. It wasn't a easy protest. the police didn't hold back on them even though they were children. They were attacked by them and the police dogs. That didn't stop them from protesting for basic human rights. The books ends with Birmingham no longer being segregated.

Connection to awareness raising:

The book revolves around a POC who is protesting for their rights. This was an actual movement and issue they had in 1800's. Martin Luthers speech was the same in real life as in the book. This book showcased how Martin Luther's speech was really motivation for them and really helped everyone not fear to protest. It also shows the realism of protesting as the police didn't care if the children got hurt.

Classroom use:

Students who are in grades K-3 could really understand why it's important to protest rather then stay silent. They could learn why people had to protest for equality and all the struggle they had to go through just to be treated like everyone else. They can also learn how even though they go through a lot while protesting, in the end it's worth it because gain what they truly want.

Teacher resource here

You Are Revolutionary

 

You Are Revolutionary

 Written by Cindy Wang Brandt

Illustrated by Lynnor Bontigao

Social Justice Element 5: Awareness Raising

Summary:

The story of the book follows a young girl who realizes that she wants to make a change and encourages others to make a change as well. She notices unfairness in the world and wants to take action, while also encouraging others to do the same. This book helps teach children what it takes to make a change, as well as that change is possible as long as you put your mind to it. It encourages fairness and standing up for what is right, no matter what interests or circumstances a person has.

Social Justice Aspect:

This book demonstrates social justice element 5 because it directly encourages children to stand up for what is right and to encourage making positive change in the world, to put out and give into the world what they hope to see in others, and to send a positive message about the good that comes from helping others, and also acknowledging other's situations so that children are motivated to stand up for them, and to help contribute to making a change.

Activity:

This book can be used to teach grades 2-3 and an activity I would create based on this book, is that I would separate the children into small groups, and have them reflect on what they would want to change in the world, then I would have them all illustrate individual protest signs, that all demonstrate the change that each student wants to see in the world.

Where to purchase

Teacher Resource

A Teacher's Guide to Change

 

                                                            A Teacher's Guide to Change

                                                            Written by Jan Stivers and Sharon F. Cramer 

                                                            Where to Find Book

 Summary:
A Teacher’s Guide to Change is a resource for teachers in grades K–12. It teaches educators how to foster change in their schools. It includes surveys from over 100 teachers, reflections, step by step plans to implement change in and out of the classroom, and gives other resources to aid teachers. 

Element 6: Social Action

This book is Element 6 because it clearly details how teachers and students can get involved in social change, with teachers guiding their students into making meaningful changes in their communities.

Review of the Book: Here

No Voice Too Small

 

No Voice Too Small

Written by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley

Illustrated by Jeanette Bradley

Purchase Here (Charlesbridge Bookstore)

Social Justice Element 6: Social Action

Summary: 

No Voice Too Small is a compilation of poems honoring 14 young American activists who rallied for change to be made in their communities. These activists advocated for a wide variety of issues of social justice that young people across the country and beyond face, from environmental rights, like those Jasilyn Charger advocated for--believing everyone deserves clean water--to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, mental health matters, and more. Across the 14 instances it narrates on, it showcases youth's ability to inspire change.

Social Justice Aspect: 

This book showcases how young people are able to rally social change and social action starting with just their own unique voice and perspective. With the 14 young activists it highlights, it demonstrates precisely how and why these young people were able to inspire the social action that they did--across a broad spectrum of issues that young people experience and are impacted by. By highlighting figures like Marley Dias who, as a young African-American 6th grader, started the successful #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign for more black female protagonists in children literature, young readers are able to be emboldened to inspire the change and social action they desire in their own communities.

Classroom Use:

I think this picture book would be compelling for elementary school students from 1st through 5th grade, though the supplementary class material would need to be adjusted based on grade level. A lesson that could be based off of this book is having all the kids share a topic of social injustice they are passionate about, helping them find and research their topics as is age appropriate, and then having all the kids presenting either something they would like to do to inspire social change relevant to that topic, or what movements have taken place in the past that gives us the justice/representation/solution/etc. we have today.

Teacher Resource: 

The "Meet the Artist" worksheet included in this activity guide could be used for the lesson I described. This resource also includes other activities related to the topics in this book and teaching social action. 

https://andreajloney.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/no-voice-too-small-activity-guide.pdf

  

Raising Awareness Through Literature: A is for Activist!

Raising Awareness Through Literature ✊

A is for Activist

Written and Illustrated by Innosanto Nagara

Social Justice Element: Element Five - Helping Children see Themselves as Agents of Change

💰WHERE TO BUY💰  

Purchase A is for Activist at

booksofwonder.com

Click Here to Purchase!

"A is for Activist" is a vibrant alphabet board book that uses each letter of the alphabet to introduce children to concepts related to activism, justice, community, environmental stewardship, and equality. Through playful rhymes and bold, colorful illustrations, the book connects simple letters with big ideas - for example, "F is for feminism, freedom, family" or "S is for solidarity, sisterhood, spouse." Along the way it invites young readers to recognize values like fairness, diversity, voice, and change making in their own lives. 

📚TEACHER REVIEW📚

👉CONNECTION TO ELEMENT 5 HELPING CHILDREN SEE THEMSELVES AS AGENTS OF CHANGE

• Introduces young children to ideas of justice like equality, environmental care, and inclusion

• Connects activism to everyday life using alphabet letters, rhymes, and bold illustrations

• Shows advocacy as something kids can be a part of, not just adults

• Encourages children to see themselves as capable of creating positive change

🤔 CLASSROOM USE IDEAS - Suggested Grades: K-2

Activity: Create an "A-Z of our Classroom Community"

• Each student chooses a letter and a word linked to fairness, kindness, or justice
• They draw or collage how that value appears in their school or neighborhood
• Combine all letters into an "Alphabet of Activism" poster to display

Element 6

 

Title, Author, and Illustrator: The Kid’s Guide to Social Action by Barbara A. Lewis and illustrated by Steve Michaels.

Link to Purchase: https://shop.gryphonhouse.com/products/the-kids-guide-to-social-action?variant=48015431500068

Link to Teacher Resource or Review: https://school.teachingbooks.net

Label with Social Justice Element: Element 6: Taking Social Action.

Short Summary : This book is a practical how-to guide for children (upper elementary / middle grades) who wish to make a difference on social issues that matter to them. It provides real-life examples of kids engaging in social change, then walks young readers step-by-step through selecting a problem they care about, researching it, brainstorming solutions, rallying others, working with local government or media, writing letters, creating petitions, conducting surveys, and evaluating their impact. The book includes templates and “power skills” tools (for interviews, speeches, press releases) to support action. 

Explanation of How It Connects to the SJE Element: Since the SJE (Social Justice Education) element in focus is Taking Social Action, this book is a perfect match. It doesn’t just raise awareness of social issues it moves the reader toward doing something about them. It gives students the agency and the tools to engage in real civic action and really discussing the framework of this element

Classroom Use (Lesson Idea or Grade Level): Grades 4–8: After reading excerpts from The Kid’s Guide to Social Action, students can identify a local or school issue they care about (such as bullying prevention, recycling, or helping the homeless). In small groups, they’ll research the issue, create an action plan, and present it to the class. Each group will outline concrete steps they can take—like writing letters, organizing a fundraiser, or starting a petition. This project encourages real-world civic engagement and empowers students to see themselves as change-makers in their communities.

Element 5

  

Title, Author, and Illustrator:
Say Something by Peter H. Reynolds

Link to Purchase: https://bookshop.org/p/books/say-something-peter-h-reynolds/a520a29072887e6a?ean=9780545865036&next=t

Link to Teacher Resource or Review: https://school.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=61891

Label with Social Justice Element: Element 5 – Raising Awareness, Taking Action

Short Summary: This book encourages children to use their voices to stand up for what they believe in. It talks about how important that even small actions or words can make a big difference, whether speaking up against injustice or sharing kindness with others.

Explanation of How It Connects to the SJE Element: Element 5 focuses on empowering students to take action for justice and fairness. Say Something teaches children that everyone’s voice matters and that silence can allow unfairness to continue. It inspires young readers to take part in positive change within their schools and communities.

Classroom Use (Lesson Idea or Grade Level): Grades K–3: After reading, students can create “Speak Up” posters illustrating one issue or idea they care about (e.g., kindness, fairness, inclusion). Display them in the classroom as a visual reminder of student voices and advocacy.

link to activity- https://assets.scholastic.ca/public/activities/pdfs/Peter-H-Reynolds-Classroom-Activity-Guide-05-23-23.pdf