Teaching for Social Justice and Sustainable Development Across the Primary Curriculum: Acting for a Better World

This volume supports educators in integrating meaningful education for social justice and sustainability across a wide range of curricular subjects by drawing on educational theory, innovative pedagogical approaches and creative ideas for teaching and learning. Both practical and theoretical in its approach, it addresses subject areas ranging from mathematics to visual arts to language teaching. Chapters provide subject entry points for teachers seeking to embed social justice and sustainability principles and pedagogies into their work.

Transferable across various areas of learning, a range of pedagogical approaches are exemplified, ranging from inquiry approaches to ethical dilemmas to critical relational pedagogies. Ready-to-use teaching exemplars, activities and resources address issues which are of interest and relevance to children’s lives, including gender stereotyping, racism, heterosexism, climate change and species extinction. Practical guidance is provided on how to engage children in dialogue and reflection on these complex issues in a safe and ethical way.

This accessible and unique volume is essential reading for student teachers, teachers, educational leaders, teacher educators and anyone interested in inspiring children to work towards creating a more socially just and sustainable world.

Anne Marie Kavanagh, PhD, is Assistant Professor in Ethical and Intercultural Education in the School of Human Development at the DCU Institute of Education, Dublin City University. She lectures and researches in the areas of ethical education, critical multicultural education, intercultural education, social justice education, democratic education and human rights education.

Fionnuala Waldron is Professor Emerita at the DCU Institute of Education, Dublin City University and co-founder (with Brian Ruane) of the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education, DCU. Her research interests include history education, teacher education, human rights education and global citizenship education.

Benjamin Mallon, PhD, is Assistant Professor in Geography and Citizenship Education in the DCU Institute of Education, Dublin City University. He researches and teaches in the area of global citizenship education, with a particular focus on pedagogical approaches which address conflict, challenge violence and support the development of peaceful societies.