Have you ever heard of social justice? What about activism? These words often conjure up images of great leaders from history. Activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. or Mother Teresa made such amazing contributions to society and are so highly regarded that they hardly even seem like real people anymore. Sometimes we feel like we’ll never be able to live up to them, no matter how much we want to!

What if I told you that there are everyday kids and teens just like you that are doing BIG things to make a difference in the world around them? When Marley Dias was in sixth grade she loved to read. The problem was that in her school, she kept being given books that were all about white boys and their dogs—she couldn’t relate to these characters! So, she set out to collect and donate 1,000 books that feature black girls as the main character by launching the campaign called #1000BlackGirlBooks. Marley went from being a girl who loved reading, to a social media superstar and author! Young activists like Marley are giving speeches, sharing out on Twitter, starting non-profits, and writing books about many different issues of social justice. What do they all have in common? 

This research project will guide you through the discovery of a growing number of teens taking matters into their own hands. Your task is to use your research knowledge to publish an authentic product, a digital poster. The poster should describe the issue, the teen activist you chose, and the action plan they manifested. This poster should INSPIRE others to either do something brand new to affect change or follow in the footsteps of what your activist has already started!

Activity: Watch the videos and answer the questions in your Google Classroom. The link to the full movie, Inventing Tomorrow, is also in your Google Classroom and worth watching!

Step One:  Read the article, “Youth activism is on the rise around the globe, and adults should pay attention, says author” by Jennifer McNulty and answer the questions provided on the CRAAP (Currency, Relevancy, Accuracy, Authority, Purpose) Worksheet.

Activity: Our hope is that you will may find many articles and many teen activists that inspire you. Before you begin your own exploration, read through three to four of the articles in the links below and/or use social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Twitter to familiarize yourself with young activists and their causes.

Check the Google Classroom for a #jamboard. On this #jamboard, you should post the #’s and @’s you come across. 

Step Two: Select a teen activist to research. Find at least TWO articles on a selected person AND ONE article about his/her cause. If there is a specific individual you wish to research, you MUST get approval from your ELA teacher before going ahead with this step.  You MUST complete the C.R.A.A.P. Test for each (3) article(s).

Watch the video below to learn how to use the C.R.A.A.P test.

Below are a few suggested databases and resources:

Step Three: Create a folder in your Google Drive and title it, “ELA 9, Teen Activists Research”. Save and annotate your articles. When reading your articles, it is important to remember key information. Annotate the articles, so finding the facts and important information is a bit easier when you begin the writing process. Watch the video below to gain a better understanding of what it means to annotate.

Step Four:  Write a Claim/Thesis Statement that answers the question:  How does _(teen activist’s name)_address the problem and provide possible solutions?  

Sample Thesis: By using her voice and making bold moves to demand the world’s attention, Greta Thunberg highlighted the need for updated global policies in order to combat climate change. 

THINK: How they did it + Who they are + What they want = CLAIM  (Any combination and order of these ideas will work!)

Step Five: Works Cited Page. A works cited page is an alphabetized list of your sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format.  A works cited page serves to show the reader where the information is from giving the source credit for the information and ideas.

For this project, we would like every student to use Bibliography.com. Watch the video below to learn how to use Bibliography.com

Watch the video below to get a better understanding of why a works cited page is important.

Step Six: Outlining the information. Now is time to organize your research in a coherent manner. Using your annotated articles, fill in the outline. Make sure to note which article information is from. Use the author’s last name or first word or two from the Works Cited page as your “signal” word. You will need to use this in your poster as well.

Please watch the video below titled, “What are in-text citations?

Step Seven: Now that you have collected all your information and created your Work Cited, it is time for you to create your “Teen Activist Poster”! Remember, the poster should describe the issue, the teen activist you chose, and the action plan  they manifested. This poster should INSPIRE  others to either do something brand new to affect change or follow in the footsteps of what your activist has already started!

Look closely at the sample “Teen Activists Research Poster” below.

Use the “Teen Activist Research Poster” RUBRIC to guide you as you create your authentic poster. First you must create your username and password for the digital poster. The class will be using Glogster.edu. To find out more about Glogster you can visit HERE.

Please follow the instructions closely when you create your account. You MUST be linked to out class or you will not have full access to the Glogster.edu features.

Step One: Go to https://edu.glogster.com/
Step Two: Click student
Step Three: Enter the educator code: 768F6E
Step Four: Use your last name plus the period of your class, Example: eyerperiod2  Your password MUST be your district password.
Step Five: Click Create My Account
Step Six: Add your first and last name. NO nicknames please.
Step Seven: Congratulations! You created your Glogster account!

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