Resources for Catholic Educators

     The following are a few creative ideas to help students become more aware of social justice issues and to get them involved in activities that will help this new awareness "stick" to their lives.

• Social Development & World Peace - NCCB-USCC
  
   In November, 1996, U.S. bishops issued a brief ten-point summary of Catholic teaching on the economy titled "A Catholic Framework for Economic Life". This webpages gives suggestions and provides a lesson plan to examine and discuss the content of the bishop's document. A good background for adults and senior high school students.
  
  
• The Web site of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers a number of lesson plans and resources on social justice issues for K-12 and for adults. These are listed by topics under the following headings: Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Solidarity; Option for the Poor and Vulnerable; Faithful Citizenship; Poverty in the United States; Global Solidarity
  
  
• Giraffe Heroes Project - Giraffe Heroes are people who stick their necks out for the common good. The nonprofit Giraffe Heroes Project tells their stories on podiums, in materials for schools and in the media. Giraffe Heroes are models for the rest of us.
  
  

• The Web site of the Archdiocese of Seattle offers a series of lesson plans by levels (Primary, Intermediate, Middle School, and Secondary) on the principles of Catholic social teaching:

  • The Principle of Human Dignity
  • The Principle of Respect for Human Life
  • The Principle of Participation
  • The Principle of Preference for the Poor
  • The Principle of Human Equality
  • The Principle of Solidarity
  • The Principle of Stewardship
  • The Principle of Subsidiarity
  • The Principle of Common Good
  • The Principle of Association

  Each lesson plan is complemented by a background article on the principle, supporting quotations, and a facilitator’s guide.
  

• Stations of the Cross: Social Justice and Peace - A Way of the Cross in a Time of Conflict, Wellspring
  
  
• Invite your students to pledge some hours to build peace. This page on the Catholic.org Web site offers your students some simple concrete suggestions as to how they can build peace around them and provides an online form to pledge a certain number of hours towards that goal.

Related: Justice and Peace Resources