Diversity, Equity and Social Justice Resources
Diversity, Equity & Social Justice in Canadian Literature:
A list of books for young people from Helen Kubiw, Librarian UGDSB
Printable PDF
For more of Helen's reviews & selections, visit her blog:
http://canlitforlittlecanadians.blogspot.ca/
Diversity, Equity & Social Justice Movies on Learn 360:
From Michelle Campbell, UGDSB Media Services
As always, be sure to preview any films to ensure the content is appropriate for your class.
Auto B Good series – 63 titles on Character Education – Pre K‐5, 13 min. ‐ Check out these titles ‐ Peacefulness, Dignity, Kindness,Tolerance, and Uniqueness. c2009.
Borrow a Stereotype – gr. 6‐12, 11 min. – CBC ‐ They say familiarity breeds contempt, but could it actually breed acceptance? That's the idea behind a project called the Living Library. The idea: "check out" a person, instead of a book. Sit down face‐to‐face with the type of person who makes you uncomfortable or who you've never understood. Ask questions, find out more about them. The goal: use your "lending time" to get past your own stereotypes. The approach promotes dialogue, tackles prejudice and fosters understanding. See what happens when "readers" sit down with their "books": a homeless person, police officer, Buddhist, teen or feminist, to name a few. c2008
Growing up Among Strangers – gr. 7‐12, 26 min. – This video examines the duality of growing up in Canada's cultural mosaic. Several young Canadians from diverse backgrounds talk about their struggles to balance two worlds ‐ the traditional, cultural values of home and the westernized culture that lies outside. Their stories are combined with comments from Canadians of earlier generations who understand this dilemma very well ‐ author Wayson Choy, Zara Nawaz (creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie) and YTV host Carlos
Bustamante. This combination of current anecdotes and memories upon reflection shed light on the difficulties and benefits of living in two different cultures while remaining true to one's self. c2009
How Tolerant are Canadians? ‐ gr. 7‐12, 15 min. ‐ Canada is a multicultural country where people of many races and backgrounds live in harmony. Most of us are proud of our diversity and like to think we live in a country where prejudice isn't a problem. But how tolerant are we? In this News in Review story we'll look at how a racist incident shocked a community and ask pollsters and ordinary Canadians whether we should be doing more to fight intolerance. c2010
If the World Were a Village ‐ Pre K‐8, 24 min. ‐ What if only 100 people inhabited the earth? What if they came from across the globe to live in a small village? See what that imaginary village would look like, with its diversity of races, languages, and cultures sharing one small space. c2006
Little Earth Charter – Pre K ‐2, 5 min. – Available in English and French. The Earth Charter is a set of fundamental principles that seek to define a just, sustainable and peaceful society for the 21st century. The Earth Charter has been embraced by UNESCO as a means of educating the public of the importance of creating a sustainable world. The Little Earth Charter's focus is to bring that foundation to children aged 4‐8. Great for character education. c2009
Me, Masi and Mr. Clean – gr. 6‐12 ‐ 8 min. ‐ The prevailing notion of "fair and lovely" is under the microscope in this playful and entertaining short drama. Seema, a precocious 11‐year‐old girl, is constantly goaded by her "Masi" (Aunt) about her dark skin. Since her aunt is big on cleaning, Seema resorts to a few bottles of a beloved household cleaning product to see if she can remedy this flaw. After an unexpected turn of events, a beautiful truth is revealed. c2010
Respect for Differences ‐ gr. 6‐12, 19 min. ‐ Watch this exploration of the many ways people are different and how we react toward those differences. View stories of teens wrestling with issues of diversity in interests and abilities, culture and religion, gender, and ways of thinking. c2002
Respect: Why Does it Matter ‐ gr. 6‐12, 19 min. ‐ How do we show respect for other people and for ourselves? View five stories that depict teens in situations where there is a lack of respect toward feelings, the law, other cultures, and oneself. Examine how we learn to respect others. c2003
Staying Real: Teens Confront Sexual Stereotypes – gr. 6‐8, 24 min. ‐ Preteens and adolescents discuss the adverse effects of the sexual stereotypes they are constantly bombarded with. They talk about how hard it is to develop their own personality and make friends when they don’t conform to media and advertising images. This film for 11‐ to 13‐year‐olds is a great way to kick off a lively discussion. c2010
Teens Who Volunteer series – gr. 6‐12, 4 min. – 12 titles in series, Canadian (TVOntario) ‐ Inspiring programs profile young people involved in a variety of volunteer activities and explore their reasons for volunteering and what they gain from the experience. c2002
The Hour Gets Character ‐ gr 9‐12, 1:52 ‐ The Hour brings us captivating stories about people who have made a difference in our world like the founder of Doctors without Borders, and the former UN Commissioner for Human Rights. Featuring interviews with Louise Arbour, Master Corporal Paul Franklin, Andrew Young, Julio Montaner, John Bul Dau, James Orbinski, Princess Zulu, Ramin Jahanbegloo, Ishmael Beah and Muhammad Yunus. c2009
There’s No One Quite Like You or Me – gr. 3‐5, 13 min. Everyone is unique. We are different shapes and sizes; we have different interests. We have different names, look different, and like to do different things. Watch this exploration of all the ways in which our differences make each one of us special. c2007
Unity in Community: The Ant Show – Pre K‐5, 15 min. When a bully in a chaotic classroom encounters an ant named Jim she learns that tolerance and diversity are necessary for any social community to function well. Help promote the youngest students' emotional well‐being and mental health as the classroom develops cohesion, trust and team identity. c2009
We’re All Different – Pre K‐3, 13 min. ‐ Join Wally the Walrus to look at all the ways people are different. Explore different talents as well as different cultures and foods that make each person special in their own way. c2006
Why we Wear What We Wear – gr. 3‐8, 13 min. Cultural Diversity video that helps students understand how society and culture influence our choices and decisions of what we wear. Protection, comfort, style, taste, age, time, school, work, culture, climate, cost, care, and society all influence our decisions about clothing. Follow along as multicultural students and a fashion expert present and discuss "understanding clothing choices”. c2005.
Why We Live Where We Live – gr. 3‐8, 13 min. Cultural Diversity video that helps students understand how society and culture influence our choices and decisions of where we live. A home does much more than fulfill our basic physical, emotional and social needs in housing. Individual needs and wants also greatly influence the places we call home. Follow along as multicultural students and a housing expert present and discuss "understanding housing choices”. c2005
Working for Change: Active Global Citizenship – gr. 6‐12, 17 min. ‐ World Vision Canada – How do the choices we make as consumers affect other people on the far side of the globe? This program asks this question and investigates the challenge of globalization. See how even the coffee you drink has global implications. c2004
Movies available at Terry James Resource Centre on DVD:
From Michelle Campbell, UGDSB Media Services
These can be ordered by e-mailing Media Booking on First Class.
The Peace Tree – gr. 3‐8, 45 min. ‐ Two Muslim girls dream of celebrating Christmas, while their Christian friend imagines celebrating Eid. But when their parents raise objections, the girls must find a way to convince their parents that it's really all about peace. Also includes the Curriculum resource: Peace Tree Spirit: K to 12. c2005
Make Some Noise series ‐ gr. 7‐12, 23 min. 6 titles in series ‐ Stories of young Canadian human beings using their heads and hearts and bodies to better this planet and its 6 billion+ tenants. Titles include: Open Spaces, Keeping it Real, Fight for Change, Beyond our Borders, Indifference is Deadly, Activism is Everywhere. c2005
MakeYouThink Values Collection – gr. 7‐12, 45 min. 3 series – Each DVD is equipped with an 8‐10 minute movie, a music video, a director's cut, and discussion questions. c2006
4 Real Series ‐ gr. 6‐12, 30 min. 8 titles in series ‐ A series of half‐hour episodes, hosted by Sol Guy, that takes celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Titles include: Kenya, Liberia, Pawnee, Vancouver, Yawanawa, City of God, Haiti, and Peru. For example the episode on Vancouver deals with the following issues: poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and active citizenship.c2008
Borrow a Stereotype – gr. 6‐12, 11 min. – CBC ‐ They say familiarity breeds contempt, but could it actually breed acceptance? That's the idea behind a project called the Living Library. The idea: "check out" a person, instead of a book. Sit down face‐to‐face with the type of person who makes you uncomfortable or who you've never understood. Ask questions, find out more about them. The goal: use your "lending time" to get past your own stereotypes. The approach promotes dialogue, tackles prejudice and fosters understanding. See what happens when "readers" sit down with their "books": a homeless person, police officer, Buddhist, teen or feminist, to name a few. c2008
Growing up Among Strangers – gr. 7‐12, 26 min. – This video examines the duality of growing up in Canada's cultural mosaic. Several young Canadians from diverse backgrounds talk about their struggles to balance two worlds ‐ the traditional, cultural values of home and the westernized culture that lies outside. Their stories are combined with comments from Canadians of earlier generations who understand this dilemma very well ‐ author Wayson Choy, Zara Nawaz (creator of Little Mosque on the Prairie) and YTV host Carlos
Bustamante. This combination of current anecdotes and memories upon reflection shed light on the difficulties and benefits of living in two different cultures while remaining true to one's self. c2009
How Tolerant are Canadians? ‐ gr. 7‐12, 15 min. ‐ Canada is a multicultural country where people of many races and backgrounds live in harmony. Most of us are proud of our diversity and like to think we live in a country where prejudice isn't a problem. But how tolerant are we? In this News in Review story we'll look at how a racist incident shocked a community and ask pollsters and ordinary Canadians whether we should be doing more to fight intolerance. c2010
If the World Were a Village ‐ Pre K‐8, 24 min. ‐ What if only 100 people inhabited the earth? What if they came from across the globe to live in a small village? See what that imaginary village would look like, with its diversity of races, languages, and cultures sharing one small space. c2006
Little Earth Charter – Pre K ‐2, 5 min. – Available in English and French. The Earth Charter is a set of fundamental principles that seek to define a just, sustainable and peaceful society for the 21st century. The Earth Charter has been embraced by UNESCO as a means of educating the public of the importance of creating a sustainable world. The Little Earth Charter's focus is to bring that foundation to children aged 4‐8. Great for character education. c2009
Me, Masi and Mr. Clean – gr. 6‐12 ‐ 8 min. ‐ The prevailing notion of "fair and lovely" is under the microscope in this playful and entertaining short drama. Seema, a precocious 11‐year‐old girl, is constantly goaded by her "Masi" (Aunt) about her dark skin. Since her aunt is big on cleaning, Seema resorts to a few bottles of a beloved household cleaning product to see if she can remedy this flaw. After an unexpected turn of events, a beautiful truth is revealed. c2010
Respect for Differences ‐ gr. 6‐12, 19 min. ‐ Watch this exploration of the many ways people are different and how we react toward those differences. View stories of teens wrestling with issues of diversity in interests and abilities, culture and religion, gender, and ways of thinking. c2002
Respect: Why Does it Matter ‐ gr. 6‐12, 19 min. ‐ How do we show respect for other people and for ourselves? View five stories that depict teens in situations where there is a lack of respect toward feelings, the law, other cultures, and oneself. Examine how we learn to respect others. c2003
Staying Real: Teens Confront Sexual Stereotypes – gr. 6‐8, 24 min. ‐ Preteens and adolescents discuss the adverse effects of the sexual stereotypes they are constantly bombarded with. They talk about how hard it is to develop their own personality and make friends when they don’t conform to media and advertising images. This film for 11‐ to 13‐year‐olds is a great way to kick off a lively discussion. c2010
Teens Who Volunteer series – gr. 6‐12, 4 min. – 12 titles in series, Canadian (TVOntario) ‐ Inspiring programs profile young people involved in a variety of volunteer activities and explore their reasons for volunteering and what they gain from the experience. c2002
The Hour Gets Character ‐ gr 9‐12, 1:52 ‐ The Hour brings us captivating stories about people who have made a difference in our world like the founder of Doctors without Borders, and the former UN Commissioner for Human Rights. Featuring interviews with Louise Arbour, Master Corporal Paul Franklin, Andrew Young, Julio Montaner, John Bul Dau, James Orbinski, Princess Zulu, Ramin Jahanbegloo, Ishmael Beah and Muhammad Yunus. c2009
There’s No One Quite Like You or Me – gr. 3‐5, 13 min. Everyone is unique. We are different shapes and sizes; we have different interests. We have different names, look different, and like to do different things. Watch this exploration of all the ways in which our differences make each one of us special. c2007
Unity in Community: The Ant Show – Pre K‐5, 15 min. When a bully in a chaotic classroom encounters an ant named Jim she learns that tolerance and diversity are necessary for any social community to function well. Help promote the youngest students' emotional well‐being and mental health as the classroom develops cohesion, trust and team identity. c2009
We’re All Different – Pre K‐3, 13 min. ‐ Join Wally the Walrus to look at all the ways people are different. Explore different talents as well as different cultures and foods that make each person special in their own way. c2006
Why we Wear What We Wear – gr. 3‐8, 13 min. Cultural Diversity video that helps students understand how society and culture influence our choices and decisions of what we wear. Protection, comfort, style, taste, age, time, school, work, culture, climate, cost, care, and society all influence our decisions about clothing. Follow along as multicultural students and a fashion expert present and discuss "understanding clothing choices”. c2005.
Why We Live Where We Live – gr. 3‐8, 13 min. Cultural Diversity video that helps students understand how society and culture influence our choices and decisions of where we live. A home does much more than fulfill our basic physical, emotional and social needs in housing. Individual needs and wants also greatly influence the places we call home. Follow along as multicultural students and a housing expert present and discuss "understanding housing choices”. c2005
Working for Change: Active Global Citizenship – gr. 6‐12, 17 min. ‐ World Vision Canada – How do the choices we make as consumers affect other people on the far side of the globe? This program asks this question and investigates the challenge of globalization. See how even the coffee you drink has global implications. c2004
Movies available at Terry James Resource Centre on DVD:
From Michelle Campbell, UGDSB Media Services
These can be ordered by e-mailing Media Booking on First Class.
The Peace Tree – gr. 3‐8, 45 min. ‐ Two Muslim girls dream of celebrating Christmas, while their Christian friend imagines celebrating Eid. But when their parents raise objections, the girls must find a way to convince their parents that it's really all about peace. Also includes the Curriculum resource: Peace Tree Spirit: K to 12. c2005
Make Some Noise series ‐ gr. 7‐12, 23 min. 6 titles in series ‐ Stories of young Canadian human beings using their heads and hearts and bodies to better this planet and its 6 billion+ tenants. Titles include: Open Spaces, Keeping it Real, Fight for Change, Beyond our Borders, Indifference is Deadly, Activism is Everywhere. c2005
MakeYouThink Values Collection – gr. 7‐12, 45 min. 3 series – Each DVD is equipped with an 8‐10 minute movie, a music video, a director's cut, and discussion questions. c2006
4 Real Series ‐ gr. 6‐12, 30 min. 8 titles in series ‐ A series of half‐hour episodes, hosted by Sol Guy, that takes celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Titles include: Kenya, Liberia, Pawnee, Vancouver, Yawanawa, City of God, Haiti, and Peru. For example the episode on Vancouver deals with the following issues: poverty, homelessness, substance abuse and active citizenship.c2008