The Need for Social Justice Education in 6th-8th Grade Florida Curricula
Start Date
10-2-2021 10:45 AM
End Date
10-2-2021 12:15 PM
Proposal Type
Presentation
Proposal Description
The United States is increasingly experiencing globalization within society. Although globalization brings many positives, it is often paralleled with conflicts. These conflicts stem from the increase of contrasting views and a misunderstanding of culture and perspectives regarding four tenants: identity, diversity, action, and justice. When examining the Florida Sunshine Standards for 6th-8th grades, there is a ripe opportunity to utilize social justice and the four tenants within the social studies curricula to engage students with peace education. The explicit utilization of the four tenants within social studies curricula is beneficial for students’ social-emotional learning. This research provides a general perspective for understanding nationalism, globalism, and unilateralism with an emphasis on peace education in 6th-8th grades social studies curricula. Further, the research presented addresses the dynamic of polarization within the world while proposing how the theories and tools of peace and conflict resolution can be best applied to address the future generation in creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and just world.
Key Words: social justice, peace education, Florida, curricula, social studies, middle school
The Need for Social Justice Education in 6th-8th Grade Florida Curricula
The United States is increasingly experiencing globalization within society. Although globalization brings many positives, it is often paralleled with conflicts. These conflicts stem from the increase of contrasting views and a misunderstanding of culture and perspectives regarding four tenants: identity, diversity, action, and justice. When examining the Florida Sunshine Standards for 6th-8th grades, there is a ripe opportunity to utilize social justice and the four tenants within the social studies curricula to engage students with peace education. The explicit utilization of the four tenants within social studies curricula is beneficial for students’ social-emotional learning. This research provides a general perspective for understanding nationalism, globalism, and unilateralism with an emphasis on peace education in 6th-8th grades social studies curricula. Further, the research presented addresses the dynamic of polarization within the world while proposing how the theories and tools of peace and conflict resolution can be best applied to address the future generation in creating a more peaceful, inclusive, and just world.
Key Words: social justice, peace education, Florida, curricula, social studies, middle school