Explore our favorite teaching tools.
Like our service projects, this list is continuously evolving. If you don't see your favorite books or websites, we welcome your suggestions in the comment section below.
Young Adult
Celebrate People’s History!: The Poster Book of Resistance and Revolution edited by Josh MacPhee (The Feminist Press at CUNY, 2010). A visual history of revolutions in America. Each poster is pair with the historical background of the event.
Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World by Elizabeth Rusch (Beyond Words Publishing, 2002). Ages 8 and up. A series of inspiring stories of young people who have made a difference. These preteens and teens raised money for school supplies for needy children, testified against a ban on gay marriage, collected boxes of cereal for the hungry and initiated a variety of other community service and social action projects.
I Will Make a Difference: Students Aspire to Inspire by Gary Martin Hayes and Adam Christopher Weart (We Published That: 2014). 35 students tell of how they plan to make a difference in the world, and how the steps that they take now and in the future will allow them to reach their full potential.
It’s Your World- If You Don’t Like It, Change It: Activism For Teenagers by Mikki Halpin (Simon Pulse, 2004). Ages 12 and up. A guide for teenagers who wish to become activists, It’s Your World provides an overview of several topics, including animal rights, women’s rights, and civil liberties, and provides ideas for getting involved. Includes a list of additional resources.
Photography as Activism: Images for Social Change by Michelle Bogre (Focal Press, 2011). Images can be used to bring attention to much-needed subjects. An alternative to writing letters and protesting, photography and the pictures taken can have just as much of an impact on its audience.
Take Action: A Guide to Active Citizenship by Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger (Gage Learning Corporation, 2002). Learn the practical tools you’ll need to take action on issues that matter, including raising funds and awareness, writing petitions, surveys and letters, using the media and holding meetings.
Adult
Better Together: Restoring the American Community by Robert D. Putnam et al (Simon & Shuster, 2004). Learn about new forms of social activism within communities across the country, and how they aim to unify people.
Knitting for Peace: Make the World a Better Place One Stitch at a Time by Betty Christiansen, photographs by Kiriko Shirobayashi (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2006).Learn about the history and tradition of knitting for others and how to start your own charity-based knitting group. Also included are knitting patterns.
The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs (University of California Press, 2012). Noted activist Grace Lee Boggs draws on her own past experiences to show readers how they can fix the social problems present today.
Care 2
http://www.care2.com/
Provides tools you can use to make a difference in your world and community such as online petitions and other “take action” opportunities.
