Magazine Tables of Contents Archive

Our picks for books, videos, websites, and other social justice resources: Spring 2022, Volume 36.3

The best picks from Rethinking Schools for resources for your classroom and for your mind.

Educators Speak Out: Spring 2022

Julia Putnam, Lynn Fedele, Marilyn Ricketts-Lindsay, Debra Hunter, Shalonda McGhee, Mona M. Abo-Zena, Tiffany Mitchell Patterson, Sally Stanhope, and Kawal Varpaul

To say this year has been tough on schools and educators would be a wild understatement. We asked a group of educators if there was one moment, event, or issue that really stuck out for them — something that encapsulated their experiences during these tough times. We also asked if there was anything that gave them hope, strength, or helped them through this year. Here’s how they responded . . .

Expanding Intersectional Queer History in the Elementary Grades

Laura Shelton

A 5th- and 6th-grade teacher asks her students to wrestle with what “identity” and “intersectionality” mean.

Empire or Humanity?

What the Classroom Didn’t Teach Me About the American Empire

Howard Zinn

Have we reached a point in history where we are ready to embrace a new way of living in the world, expanding not our military power, but our humanity?

As She Rises

A Podcast Helps Students Reach Beyond Climate Disaster Statistics

Tim Swinehart

I recently stumbled across a podcast that made a wonderful addition to my students’ study of the climate crisis — As She Rises.

Action Research for Environmental Justice in the Kindergarten Classroom

Kimi Waite

A kindergarten teacher helps students investigate issues of environmental justice — like access to green space — in their communities.

Choreographing for Justice

Emily Todras

An elementary teacher helps her students express themselves about social justice issues like the murder of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter through movement and dance, and helps them see how dance can celebrate diversity.

Poetic Pauses During the Pandemic

Linda Christensen

Christensen describes how poetry can be used in this moment to be something concrete — that can be felt, touched, or smelled — but also something to stir our students’ imaginations, allowing them to dream.

How the Attack on Teachers Threatens the Future of Public Schools

Sarah Jaffe

As part of the so-called “Great Resignation,” many teachers are leaving the field or thinking of leaving earlier than expected; the impact on public education could be catastrophic.

No More “Normal”

the editors of Rethinking Schools

Return to normal? Normal was awful. It’s time to be bold.