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The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) website frequently lists or directly incorporates materials from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and its educational arm, Learning for Justice (LfJ).
These resources appear across multiple subject areas, including social studies, anti-bullying programs, Black History, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) studies, and English Language Arts (ELA).
For example:
The CSDE also recommends specific SPLC lesson plans on its Connecticut Core Standards website, particularly those covering immigration. These pages are intended to provide teachers, students, and families with accurate information and clear grade-level expectations.
Targeted for Social Studies or Reading/Language Arts classrooms, this lesson is categorized under the “Identity” domain within the “Anti-bias” framework. The premise is that the United States is becoming increasingly diverse, so students must learn to appreciate different cultures and their contributions to society. Teachers are advised not to single out students, as some may come from undocumented families. The lesson includes discussion questions such as: “How does my family’s cultural history contribute to our community?” and “How do different cultures make a community better?” Students are also introduced to vocabulary words like “culture” and “diversity.” Additional lessons are recommended on identity and what makes a family.
Students examine ethnic identity and the immigrant experience in America. The lesson aims to help students understand similarities and differences between themselves and others, recognize and value diversity, and appreciate the diverse experiences of immigrants. Teachers are warned that the topic may be sensitive. A key activity involves placing a tape line on the floor; students stand on either side and step forward when statements apply to them. The lesson also covers immigration “facts and myths” and the challenges faced by young immigrants.
This lesson explores what it means to be American. Using an opinion piece titled “American Identity Crisis? What’s an American Identity?” along with related videos, students analyze how changing U.S. demographics affect American identity. Activities include a worksheet, community inquiry exercise, and discussion questions such as: “What is an ‘Anglo image,’ and why is it a dishonest image for the United States?” The lesson concludes with a call to action: students are asked to record a short video about what it means to be American.
On the left side of the SPLC page for this lesson is a box titled “Supporting Students from Immigrant Families,” which links to resources on sanctuary cities, preparing for ICE raids, “know your rights” guides, and similar materials.
This lesson examines the role of African American children in the Civil Rights Movement. One of the stated “enduring understandings” is:
"Society needs to listen to the voices of its children because social and political decisions affect their lives as well. When given the opportunity to be heard, children can make a positive change to society. And since children are the future, giving them the chance to be heard now helps prepare them for being contributing members of society as they enter into adulthood."
As a culminating activity, students are required to write a one-page essay on “the importance of children’s activism.”
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