Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Classrooms
Diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, is a way of thinking and being in the world that helps us respect and transcend our differences. Through DEI, learners understand that while we all experience the world differently, there's power in honoring our shared humanity. Solidarity is our only path to a better world where everyone is given dignity and security.
Schools are perfect places to build these critical skills. In classrooms, students can discuss how to create a more inclusive world that values diversity, builds solidarity, practices empathy, and battles racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, and more. The resources we've curated below -- which highlight our world's vast diversity and promote equity -- will open students' minds, get them to reflect on their own privileges, and help them better understand other people, perspectives, and cultures. Some of these picks will also cultivate students' perspective-taking and integrity, putting students on the path to social change and activism.
Toolkit equips teachers to tackle bias with ready-to-go resources
Bottom Line: This site fuses meaningful curricular connections between challenging current events and class content, and is a helpful go-to for teaching tough issues.
Comprehensive site collects resources on authors and books in one place
Bottom Line: This rich database of literary resources is a must-bookmark for teachers looking to extend learning experiences with books and their authors.
Powerful stories and media centralize African-American history
Bottom Line: While there aren't ready-to-go curricular materials, this modern, well-curated, and well-contextualized digital collection is sure to inspire compelling lessons.
Empowering sustainable development app organizes, educates
Bottom Line: It's a well-packaged way for teachers to educate students about the current challenges facing the world and to give them a conduit for social justice.
Illuminating native Alaskan folktale supports SEL skills
Bottom Line: A beautiful achievement developed in cooperation with indigenous folk that offers players valuable SEL skill building and a respectful window into Inupiat culture, ways of life, traditions, and stories.
Well-curated art and history site inspires curious learning
Bottom Line: A beautifully presented one-stop shop for compellingly curated and contextualized art, history, and culture resources, but it's lacking educator supports.
Globally minded materials spotlight the wisdom of resilient cultures
Bottom Line: This is a valuable resource, with perspectives often kept out of curricula, but it'll require a motivated teacher to turn it into actual lesson plans.
Bottom Line: This site is great for the planning phase and has excellent resources for bringing in Native perspectives and histories, but it will need some tweaking to fit well into classrooms.
Engage with passionate international perspectives from youth
Bottom Line: Offers a rich variety of news and opinion stories on global issues, and its young writers will get U.S. students hooked on civic engagement.
Global community helps young writers write, revise, think, and grow
Bottom Line: With interest-based writing prompts and thoughtful feedback from peers and pros, this is a great tool for writing for authentic audiences.
Dynamic site harnesses creative young talent to speak truth to power
Bottom Line: This fresh and socially aware website will draw students in with catchy -- often controversial -- topics, but keep them there with quality content.
Moving portrayal of the dangers and uncertainty of a Syrian refugee
Bottom Line: It effectively connects students with the harrowing journey of a Syrian refugee, even though some of the interactive elements are underwhelming.
Captivating, cross-curricular stories increase cultural awareness
Bottom Line: Teachers looking to enrich their curriculum with high-quality, thought-provoking videos and photos will find plenty of inspiration, but may need to create or fine-tune some lessons.
Bottom Line: This artful re-examination of the '92 LA riot can offer new insights and diverse perspectives, if students don't get too lost in the design.
Illuminating, up-close-and-personal visit to the U.S.-Mexico border
Bottom Line: As a truly unique resource that's worth using, teachers will need to create lessons that scaffold students' understanding of the complex issues found within.
