Social Justice Resources for Teachers: Topic Guide

Introduction

Welcome to the Social Justice Resources for Teachers: Topic Guide which has been meticulously curated for teachers to help students learn all about social justice, advocacy and activism.

Preparing to campaign for a cause or planning a lesson on the history of political activism? The Commons Social Change Library is your one-stop shop, offering a wealth of knowledge and a fascinating insight into the history of protest in Australia. ” – Louise Swinn, Source: My Favourite Things: The Commons Social Change Library, AEU

Below you can find a combination of teaching and learning resources from the Commons Library, and organisations from Australia and around the world. 

The resources are listed by topic and have a focus on Australian teaching resources. Under each resource is a list of the subjects and/or Australian Curriculum code and year/grade level if this information was provided. There are also many international resources included. Please note not all resources sit neatly under one topic. For example the Jabiluka blockade against uranium mining in Kakadu National Park could feature under multiple topic areas.

See also another Commons Library guide – The Power to be a Changemaker: Resources for Teachers and Students – which includes different teaching resources on different ways to make change and take action including:

• The Power to Make Change
• The Power to Take Action
• The Power of Telling Your Story
• The Power of Creativity
• The Power of Writing
• The Power of Music
• The Power of Standing Up for and/or with Others
• The Power of Self Care and Caring for Others

The Commons librarians are always on the look out for more resources to add and welcome any suggestions. 

Teaching Topics

Anti-war and Peace Activism

Teach Peace Primary and Secondary, Peace Education Network, UK
A range of lesson activities exploring peace from the inner and interpersonal levels to the national and global. Teach Peace Pack includes:  Sadako and the thousand cranes, Christmas Truce (WWI), Conflict resolution: A tale of two mules, Nonviolence in action, The importance of disobedience.
Years: Primary, Secondary

Teach Peace Resources, Peace Education Network, UK
Lots of free teaching resources for all ages.

Peace Education for Youth: A Toolkit for Advocacy and Planning, Global Campaign for Peace Education
The toolkit is organized to help guide you through the process of advocating for and/or developing a peace education effort in your school, university or community. The components of the toolkit are designed to help you think through the different elements of your project – including brainstorming, advocacy, design and implementation.
Years: Secondary

Teach for Palestine Resource Kit
A “casita” full of resources about Palestinian history, culture, and the ongoing genocide. Centering Palestinian voices, curated & fact checked by educators & community members. Put together by ESTE Inc, a US organisation founded by a public middle school teacher.
Years: Elementary, Middle/High School, and general education

Disarmament: Video series, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
The #Intro2Disarmament video series consists of 5 short videos that explain how disarmament contributes to a safer, more peaceful and sustainable world in an easy to understand way.

Brave Enough to say ‘No’: William White and the Fight against Military Conscription during the Vietnam War  (Commons Library Resource)
Learn about the teacher, William White, who fought against Military Conscription during the Vietnam War in Australia.

Australian women protest conscription during Vietnam War [Save Our Sons (SOS)], 1965-1972  (Commons Library Resource)
Save Our Sons opposed military conscription for Australia’s role in the United States invasion and occupation of Vietnam.

Vietnam Moratorium Campaign: Australian citizens force end to participation in Vietnam War  (Commons Library Resource)
Australian civil society groups resisted military participation in the war in Vietnam through organised and nonviolent action, from the late 1960s to the early 1970s.

Climate Justice

Youth on Strike Documentary ATOM Study Guide
Youth on Strike! is the story of how young Australians defied calls to stay in school and organised one of the largest youth-led movements Australia has ever seen, told by twelve students who vlogged the whole thing. From Townsville to Western Sydney, Adelaide to Melbourne, these young people share their stories of who they are and capture what it took to organise a movement. Using only footage recorded by the students, this is their story, unfiltered and in their voice, this is Youth on Strike!.
Subject(s): English, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science, Australian Politics, English, Environmental Science, Geography and Global Politics
Years: 7 – 12

Climate Justice Workshops: Human Rights Education Resources, Amnesty International Australia
There are 4 workshops in total as part of the Climate Justice module. They were developed by Varsha Yajman, youth climate justice advocate, with the support of Amnesty International Australia staff and activists, and Grata Fund. The workshop structure and content is flexible enough to be delivered to small or big groups. The length of each workshop is minimum 30 minutes each (you can devote more time to certain parts, included in the running sheet). These can either be delivered in 4 small sessions, or they can be grouped for a longer session with a total time of 2 hours. Includes running sheets, slides and facilitation sheets.
Years: 11, 12

The Human Impact of Climate Change: Resources for Schools, Oxfam UK
These activities for ages 9-11 explore the human impact of climate change and provide new spaces, approaches and opportunities for climate education, hope and action. This resource is designed to be flexible and easily adapted. The suggested age range is – 9–11 years. However, many of the activities could be modified for use with younger or older learners.
Subject(s): Citizenship, English/Literacy, Geography, PSHE
Years: Primary, Secondary

Climate Justice, hope and action, Friends of the Earth, UK
Free KS3 teaching resources which supports a diverse curriculum, and aims to empower students and develop critical thinking. Topics include: the current climate and biodiversity crisis, climate injustice, solutions to the climate crisis, eco-anxiety. Lesson plans and resources are linked to the National Curriculum in the UK.

Climate Justice in BC: Lessons for Transformation, (Canada)
Are you looking for new ways to teach about climate change and social justice? Frustrated with models that stop at changing light bulbs and driving smart cars? The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the BC Teachers’ Federation have teamed up to create free classroom-ready materials that help students engage with the two great inconvenient truths of our time: climate change and rising inequality. Consisting of eight modules designed for students in grades 8 to 12 (adaptable for intermediate).
Subject(s) and Years: Social Studies 8, 9, 10, 11; Civic Studies 11; Comparative Civilizations 12; Geography 12; Social Justice 12; Sustainable Resources 12, English Language Arts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; Communications 11, 12, Home Economics: Family Studies 10, 11, 12

Teaching Climate Justice Campaign, Zinn Project, US
This resource portal from the Zinn Education Project shares a variety of classroom-tested lessons and tools for teaching climate justice to elementary, middle school, and high school studentsFree to sign up and access resources. 

Trainings Skill-ups, 350.org (Videos)
Online, easy to follow training videos on climate change and social change including Introduction to Campaigning, How Social Movements Win, Having Climate Change Conversations, Climate Science 101, Fracking and Divestment.

Climate Resistance Handbook Or, I was Part of a Climate Action. Now What?, 350.org
The Climate Resistance Handbook brings together a wealth of learnings from the climate justice movement. It starts with breaking social myths about how social movements win. Then dives into campaign tools and frameworks you can use. It closes with how to grow your group and use creative, impactful actions and tactics. This book is full of stories of climate warriors from around the globe and historical movements. It’s filled with practical wisdom and inspiration to make you more effective, more active, and ready for what’s next.

Democracy and Authoritarianism

An Introduction to Human Rights and Responsibilities, Australian Human Rights Commission
Interactive lessons with accompanying teacher resources (including lesson plans).
Subject(s): Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS), Health and Physical Education
Years: 5 – 6

Story of Our Rights and Freedoms – Human Rights and Democracy, Cool.org
Developed in partnership with the Australian Human Rights Commission, The Story of Our Rights and Freedoms – Year 8 Civics and Citizenship unit explores the rights and freedoms of citizens and how Australians can actively and responsibly participate in their democracy.
Subject(s): Humanities and Social Sciences, History, Civics and Citizenship, The Arts, Social Equality, Human Rights, Social Action
Years: 8

Active Participation and Young People, Australia Museum of Democracy at Old Parliament House (1 pg PDF)
Use this provocation to explore the ways young people can participate in democracy. Discuss the ways students can read up, dress up, stand up, speak up and show up. 

All about Australian Government, Elections and how kids can get involved, Squizkids – 4 Podcast Episodes and 4 Activity Sheets
How our government works and the decisions it makes reaches into almost every part of our everyday lives. How and why you go to school, the sports you play, the roads you drive on, the hospitals you rely on, the kind of society you’re going to grow up and live in, and so much more…So settle in as we explore the history of Australian democracy and pull apart how our system of government works.

Active participation Defining Moments: Learning Module, Digital Classroom, National Museum Australia
Engaging and interactive way for students to explore how citizens have used the rights and freedoms available in our democracy to bring about change. Topics covered in the module include a hypothetical situation, the historical cases involving the proposed Franklin Dam in Tasmania and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship
Years: 8

Reimagine the Australian Parliament and come up with some new ways to care for your family, friends and community, Museum of Contemporary Art
Questions and reflections focused on artwork by Richard Bell.
Subject(s): Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, History, Social sciences,
Years: Primary

Development of representative democracy in Australia, Rule of Law Australia (Timeline)

Democracy Timeline, Rule of Law Australia
Research the approximate time period or years for each event and cut out each section to rearrange them in correct chronological order.

Empowering students for just societies, UNESCO
The lessons in the handbooks are interactive: democracy is demonstrated, as students participate in mock elections or take on the roles of judges – jurors – local mayors and refugees. Games and story-telling help bring social issues to life, prompting students to take a moral stand. The activities in handbooks are rooted in Global Citizenship Education, an approach which can help foster young people’s trust in public institutions, transforming them into agents of change instead of allowing feelings of disenfranchisement and victimhood to fester.
Years: Primary and Secondary

Democracy Lab, TED Ed: ​​Lessons in exercising your voice (Videos)
Quality civics education is the bedrock of a healthy democratic society. Through curated content and supporting lesson materials, Democracy Lab lays out the building blocks of a healthy democracy, while explaining the challenges it can face, the solutions we must explore, and the exciting initiatives already helping strengthen democratic principles around the world.

Authoritarianism: How You Know It When You See It  (Commons Library Resource)

Disability Justice

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Documentary)
A groundbreaking summer camp galvanizes a group of teens with disabilities to help build a movement, forging a new path toward greater equality.
Crip Camp Curriculum
The goal of this curriculum is to extend the knowledge and understanding of disability and of disabled people offered in the Netflix film CRIP CAMP… imagine a curriculum grounded in an equity and justice approach to disability, one that challenges us to go beyond the expectations of inclusion and diversity. Includes lesson plans and Educator Discussion Guide.

Disability Rights: Inclusion and Sport A unit of work for the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Years 7 and 8, Australian Human Rights Commission
Lessons about disability rights, inclusion and participation with Australian Curriculum links.
Years: 7,8
Subject(s): Health and Physical Education

Disability Justice Lesson Plan – Education Amplifier
In this lesson plan, you’ll find six modules that you can mix and match, that all teach about different aspects of disability rights and disability justice.
Years: 11, 12
Subject(s): Diversity and Equity, Social and Emotional Learning

Disability Justice in the Classroom
Educator develops a research-backed action plan to increase alignment of their classroom to disability justice principles.

People With Disability Australian Protest Timeline  (Commons Library Resource)
A timeline of protests in Australia by people with disability for independence, inclusion, access and services from the 1970s to 2020s.

All about Carly Findlay: Writer, Speaker, Disability and Appearance Activist  (Commons Library Resource)
Learn all about Carly Findlay-writer, speaker, disability and appearance activist in Australia-through her books, articles, podcasts & videos.

The History of Campaigns in Australia by People With Disability  (Commons Library Resource)
Histories and case studies from Australia of the fight for independence, inclusion, equality, access and services for people with disability.

By Us, For Us: Disability Messaging Guide (Commons Library Resource)
Disability messaging tips that research has shown to be effective in building public support for progressive change, including disability rights.

All about Judith Heumann: Disability Rights Activist  (Commons Library Resource)

Making Advocacy Accessible Collection (Commons Library Resource)
The Making Advocacy Accessible project is a project run by the Commons Library with guidance from People With Disability Australia and the Council for Intellectual Disability. The Commons Library equips people to be active citizens, influence public policy and engage in political structures. Many people experience barriers to being active citizens due to difficulty accessing and understanding advocacy resources. In this collection you will find Easy Read publications, guides to improving accessibility, and stories of campaigns led by people with disability.

Children’s Rights

Rights, Wants & Needs Activity Kit: Teaching For Children’s Rights, Unicef Canada
The Rights, Wants & Needs activity kit introduces students to human rights and citizenship concepts using picture cards and a variety of related activities. The resource explores the idea that the basic needs of children are considered rights.  It uses hands-on activities to help students see the link between rights and responsibilities.
Years: 1 – 6

Diversity and Justice

Courage To Care: How To Be an Upstander in Society, Cool.org
This unit empowers students to understand the Pyramid of Hate, analysing how stereotyping can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and violence and understanding its impact on individuals and society. By exploring the bystander effect and embracing the pivotal role of Upstanders – individuals who choose to intervene actively against injustice – students learn to challenge norms, alter the perpetrator-victim dynamic, and actively contribute to positive change in their communities. Through historical examples and practical strategies, students are inspired to design Upstander activities that support community groups, culminating in a practical application of their learning. This unit was created in collaboration with Courage to Care, a not-for-profit organisation that educates Australians about the dangers of discrimination, including antisemitism and racism. See also: Upstanders Throughout History
What is the Bystander effect?, Understanding the Causes and Effects of Discrimination

Understanding Stereotyping, Cool.org
Subject(s): Health and Physical Education, Health,Social, Equality, Human Rights, Leadership, Social Action
Years: 9, 10

The Intertwine Charter: Going beyond anti-discrimination and towards pro-active change to welcome others (Commons Library Resource)

Justice, Diversity & Inclusion: Start Here (Commons Library Resource)

Journey of Inclusion: Interactive Tool for Organisations (Commons Library Resource)

Workers’ Rights

The Labour Movement and Trade Unions

Resources developed by the History Trust of South Australia.

Subject(s): History, SACE

Years: 10

Worksite

An ACTU website which includes resources for students covering topics such as workplace rights and the role of unions. It includes links to Australian curriculum.

Years: 9, 10

Environmental Justice

Wild Things Documentary
Wild Things documentary follows a new generation of environmental activists that are mobilising against forces more powerful than themselves and saying: enough. Armed only with mobile phones, this growing army of eco warriors will do whatever it takes to save their futures from the ravages of climate change. From chaining themselves to coal trains, sitting high in the canopy of threatened rainforest or locking onto bulldozers, their non-violent tactics are designed to generate mass action with one finger tap. Against a backdrop of drought, fire and floods; we witness how today’s environmentalists are making a difference and explore connections with the past through the untold stories of previous campaigns.

Wild Things Study Guide, Australian Teachers of Media ATOM
Includes Activities and Worksheets.

Wild Things Documentary Education Resources, Cool,org
This unit’s lessons are based on the Wild Things documentary, which helps students explore significant events in the environmental movement’s history in Australia. The unit aims to empower students to raise their voices for an environmental cause they are passionate about, inspiring others to adopt a different perspective and bring about real change in society.
Subject(s): Humanities and Social Sciences – including Civics and Citizenship, History, Modern History, Geography, Science, English with further links to Music, and the Cross-curricular priorities of Sustainability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures.
Years: 7 – 12

30 years of Creative Resistance by Friends of the Earth Australia (Commons Library Resource)

Australian Blockading Handbooks (Commons Library Resource)
A collection of Australian Blockading Handbooks from the 1980s to the present including the Daintree, Franklin River, Jabiluka, etc.

Blockades that changed Australia (Commons Library Resource)
Blockades that changed Australia including Jabiluka, the Bentley blockade, S11, Nookanbah and the Knitting Nannas.

Australian Rainforest Action Groups boycott Malaysian rainforest timber, 1988-1994 (Commons Library Resource)

Franklin River, Tasmania

The Franklin River Protests: A watershed moment for Australian democracy, Human Rights Education Resource Pack, Amnesty International and Franklin
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship,
Years: 9-10

Franklin River Campaign  (Commons Library Resource)

Franklin River for Kids, National Museum of Australia
Years: 3 – 6

Fight for the Franklin, Digital Classroom, National Museum of Australia
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship, History, Geography
Years: Year 6 – 10

Nationwide: Franklin River campaign, ABC Education
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship History,
Years: 9 – 10

Protesting the Franklin Dam, National Archives of Australia
Subject(s): History
Years: 10

The Franklin River Debate, 1983 – Historic Parliamentary Role Play, Museum of Australian Democracy
Subject(s):
Years: 5 – 8

Getting Things Done, 2020 (Quick outline of campaign with images and task) and Audio – Chris Arthur recalls the Franklin River campaign, 2008, Scootle, Education Services Australia
Subject(s): History
Years: 8 – 10

Getting Things Done, Series: Discovering Democracy, Documentary on ClickView
The Franklin Dam dispute of the late 1970s and early 1980s provides an excellent case study of ‘getting things done’, politically, both through established institutional frameworks and through direct citizen action.  Should the people of a small state in a federation have the right to make decisions about their economy and environment or would people beyond the state have that power in some circumstances?  Where does sovereignty lie in an increasingly globalised world?
Subject(s): Rated G, Video – 25:29 mins, 1998, (need login for ClickView)

Anti-Nuclear

Under Pressure: How Pressure Groups Operate, CND Peace Education (UK)
This is a collection of three lesson plans from CND Peace Education that revolve around the skills of campaigning and exploring the ways in which Pressure Groups function and how they can make a difference. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) is provided as a case study. These lessons can be used individually or as a sequence of lessons in schools, colleges, sixth forms and other settings such as youth clubs. The lesson plans provided usually take one hour to complete but they can be differentiated as required, with differentiated versions online. Curriculum links and how the resource fits into different subjects are provided. The lesson plans included consider a range of learning styles and activities to achieve a varied learning experience. Students are encouraged to apply the skills that they develop to an issue or campaign of their choice. The three suggested lessons take students on a journey from recognising their own personal power to designing their own campaign.
Subjects: Citizenship, Government and Politics, English, Business Studies, Humanities, History and Geography
Years: 10 – 12

Wins of the Nuclear free Movement, Friends of the Earth Australia and Nuclear Free Campaign website

Nuclear Power Stations are not appropriate for Australia and never will be, Climate Council 

Australian Conservation Foundation – Nuclear: a dangerous distraction (Video) and Nuclear Free Future website

The Politics of Nuclear Waste Disposal: Lessons from Australia, The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (APLN)
Includes history of atomic bomb tests and radioactive waste dumps.

Don’t Nuke the Climate website

Jabiluka Blockade, Northern Territory

Uranium Mining in Northern Australia: Lesson 4, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament 10pg PDF
Students take on the roles of different stakeholders in a community affected by Ranger Uranium Mine, Northern Australia. In this case study, they work with data to put forward their position as to what should happen to the future of their town, Jabiru.
Subjects: Geography, Geology
Years: 9 – 12

Environmental Activism in Australia: The Fight for Jabiluka, Video and Teacher Pack, Clickview (need login)
Learn about the campaign against mining Jabiluka.  In the 1990s, Jabiluka, located in the Kakadu National Park, was on the verge of being turned into a uranium mine. This video details the campaign against mining Jabiluka, including the contributions of Mirarr Senior Traditional Owner Yvonne Margarula, community groups in the Northern Territory and the Australian Conservation Foundation.

Uranium mining at Jabiluka, National Archives of Australia
Subject(s): History (10), Geography (8)
Years: 8 and 10

Uranium Mining, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation

Resources about the Jabiluka Blockade, Commons Library  (Commons Library Resource)

Gender Justice / Women’s Rights 

Women’s Human Rights – Activities and Resources, Amnesty
Six lessons focused on women’s rights and gender equality, including gender stereotyping, online gender based violence and women and unpaid care work.

Shoulder to Shoulder: Feminism in Australia, Digital Classroom – National Library of Australia
This resource is aligned with the Australian Curriculum: Modern History for Senior Secondary students, with specific reference to content descriptions for Unit 2: Movements for Change in the 20th Century, and specifically those that fall under the examination of ‘Women’s Movements.’
Subject(s): Modern History – Unit 2: Movements for Change
Years: 11, 12

A Role Playing Game to understand What She Makes: Civics and Citizenship Classroom council Game, Oxfam Australia, Social Education Victoria (SEV) and the Geography Teachers Association of Victoria (GTAV)
This game asks students to take on the roles of different players in the global garment industry at a meeting convened to discuss living wages for garment workers in Bangladesh.
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship Levels 7–10, Geography Year 10: Geographical Knowledge and Understanding, Year 7 Place and Liveability, Year 8 Changing Nations
Years: 7 – 10

When grandma burnt her bra – Activity sheet, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
Picture book and activity sheet. This activity is designed to support students’ understanding of equality and the issues people face.
Subject(s): HASS, English Age Range:
Years: 5, 6

Wage Equality Digital Classroom, National Museum of Australia
Historical information, images, research tasks and questions for students to explore the issue of equal pay for women in Australia.
Subject(s): History, Civics and citizenship
Years: 6-7

Australian Suffragette Worksheets, Activity Packs, Slideshows, etc., Twinkl
A multitude of resources about the Australian Suffragettes.

The historic women’s suffrage march on Washington, TED Ed, Video (US)
Explore how the Women’s Suffrage Parade on Washington in 1913 helped women secure the right to vote in the United States through the 19th amendment.

Indigenous / First Nations Justice / Civil Rights

Aboriginal Change Makers: Stories of Aboriginal Self-determination and Empowerment  
Aboriginal Change Makers is a teaching resource for Victorian schools that presents amazing stories of political and social activity, self-determination, and empowerment, as well as the struggle for recognition in the face of another more dominant and colonising society.

Rights and freedoms Defining Moments, 1945–present, Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom, National Museum of Australia
This learning module provides resources and classroom activities for teachers to use in their Australian Curriculum: Humanities and Social Sciences year 10 classrooms. It supports the History knowledge and understanding strand, Depth Study 2, Rights and Freedoms (1945–the present). Includes:

• 1.7 1963 Yirrkala bark petitions
• 1.8 1965 Freedom Ride
• 1.9 1965 Gurindji strike (Wave Hill Walk-Off)
• 1.10 1967 Indigenous referendum
• 1.12 1972 Aboriginal Tent Embassy
• 1.15 1980 Noonkanbah blockade

Subject(s): History
Year: 10

Story of Our Rights and Freedoms – The Struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights and Freedoms, Australian Human Rights Commission
Subject(s): Humanities and Social Sciences,History, Civics and Citizenship,Social Equality, Human Rights, Indigenous Education
Years: 9 – 10

Jack Patten and the Aborigines Progressive Association Discussion Poster, Twinkl
This photograph display poster can be used to discuss the significance of Jack Patten. This historical poster can help children to understand the topic of Australian Aboriginal civil rights.
Subject(s): History, Humanities and Social Scineces

Jack Patten and the Aboriginal Civil Rights Movement Differentiated Reading Comprehension, Twinkl
This Reading Comprehension is packed full of comprehensive information about the life and significant achievements of Jack Patten, one of the great Aboriginal civil rights leaders of the 20th century.
Subject(s): History (AC9HS6K02 – explores the experiences of Australian democracy and citizenship)

Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Participation and Protest, Direct Action, Digital Classroom – National Library of Australia

The history of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, ABC Education (Video)
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was established on the lawns of the Old Parliament House in 1972 only to be forcibly removed a few months later. Why do you think the reporter compares the protest in Canberra to events in Louisiana and Mississippi in USA? What are the protesters chanting? See if you can find out what happened to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy over the years.
Subject(s): Civics and Citizenship, History
Years:  5–6, 9–10

The Aboriginal Tent Embassy – Case Study,  (Commons Library Resource)

Gurindji Land Rights

Indigenous Gurindji win Land Rights in Australia (Wave Hill Walk Off) 1966-1975  (Commons Library Resource)
The Gurindji of Wave Hill Station (Northern Territory) protested by a walkout against low wages, leading to the land rights movement.

Gurindji Land Rights Struggle: Case study and Training Guide  (Commons Library Resource)
In August 1966, Aboriginal pastoral workers walked off the job on the vast Vesteys cattle station at Wave Hill in the Northern Territory, sparking the Aboriginal land rights movement. A summary of the campaign case study is included along with a process for use in training workshops.

Freedom Rides

Charles Perkins and the Freedom Ride, Australians Together
Students learn about the Freedom Ride from the voice of its main Aboriginal participant, organiser and spokesperson, Charles Perkins. They learn about the experiences that shaped Perkins’ involvement, and consider the legacy of the Freedom Ride. This unit complements two other Australians Together resources on the Freedom Ride.
Subject(s): History ACDSEH134
Years: 10

A comparison of Freedom Rides in the United States of America and Australia and Timeline, Australian Together
This unit complements two other Australians Together resources on the Freedom Ride. It introduces the broad historical context and origins of racism and discrimination in the United States of America and Australia. Students understand the patterns and how the recognition of shared experiences led to the 1965 Australian Freedom Ride.
Subject(s): History ACDSEH105 and ACHHS182
Years: 10

University of Sydney students uncover and protest discrimination of Aboriginal people in New South Wales, 1965  (Commons Library Resource)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Timeline of Resistance  (Commons Library Resource)

Civil Rights Teaching: Lessons and Resources, Teaching for Change (United States)

LGBTQIA Rights

LGBTAI+ Rights Teachers Resource, Amnesty International
An activity pack for teachers for children and young people. The activities within this resource are designed to enable young people to use language positively and to celebrate diversity. Teachers of primary, secondary and further education students can look at the suggested age-range of each activity, and select appropriately for their students.

Marriage Equality Campaign Timeline and Reflections  (Commons Library Resource)
A timeline of events related to the Australian campaign for marriage equality along with reflection and analysis related to Australian, Irish and US campaigns.

What we can Learn from the Marriage Equality Campaign (Commons Library Resource)
A collection of resources from many varied sources about marriage equality campaigns from across the world.

Poverty / Housing

Schools for Change Resources, Streetsmart Australia
Social Change Advocates! Activity, Deep Listening to Different Stories activity, Myth Busting Quiz activity
Subject(s): HASS, English, Health and Physical Education
Years: 3 – 6

Refugees

How I Became a Refugee Documentary
‘How I Became a Refugee’ is an educational and awareness raising project to provide a better understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by displaced people who are forced to leave their homes. It has a study guide.
Years: Secondary

Geographic – Australia

Social Movements in South Australia, History Trust of South Australia (20 pg PDF)
This resource is intended to be used in conjunction with a set of videos produced by the History Trust of South Australia about Social Movements. It can also be used as a stand-alone resource.
Subject(s): AC History, SACE Modern History, SACE Society & Culture, SACE Women’s Studies and English
Years: Highschool (Senior)

Campaigns that Changed South Australia (Commons Library Resource)
Collection of links to campaign case studies including First Nations Rights, Women’s Right to Vote, Nuclear Testing, 1950s-60s, Resistance to Uranium Mining, 1970s-Ongoing, Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump, 1990s-2020s and Conservation Campaigns.

Campaigns that changed Tasmania (Commons Library Resource)

Campaigns that changed Western Australia (Commons Library Resource)

Explore Further

More Classroom Resources

• Social Action Education, Cool Australia
• Human Rights Examples for the Australian Curriculum, Australian Human Rights Commission
• Civic Participation Teaching Resources, Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
• Scootle: A national repository that provides Australian schools with digital resources aligned to the Australian Curriculum
• Teaching for Change: Building Social Justice Starting in the Classroom
• Learning for Justice Classroom Resources

Commons Library Resources  

• How to Inspire a Young Activist? A Collection of Books for Kids and Teens
• Understanding Politics, Government, Elections and Activism Through Books for Australian Children
• From Little Things Big Things Grow: Events That Changed Australia, Commons Library Resource
• Activism and Campaign History: Start Here, Commons Library Resource
• Easy Read Guides for Social Change  – Easy Read Guides to learn about the commons library, social change, campaigning, organising, story and stories of campaigns and people.
• What is a Social Movement? Social Movement Definitions, Commons Library
• What does that mean? Dictionaries, Glossaries and Terminology for Civil Resistance, Commons Library
• A History of Teachers Fighting for Social Justice, Australian Education Union 
• Stronger and smarter: using the Social Change Library,  Australian Education Union