Race & Equity

A Statement from the MOST Network

The MOST team has worked together to collect and share resources that we hope will be useful to the field for your anti-racism work. We encourage all youth development organizations to not just include anti-racism content and approaches in your programming with youth people but to also commit to examining the practices, policies, and culture of your organizations.

In sharing this list, we readily admit that we are far from the experts on this topic. We know we have people and organizations in our Baltimore and Maryland communities who have dedicated their lives to anti-racism work and have deep knowledge and experience. If you would like to recommend a resource to add, especially ways to be involved in and/or support local efforts please email them to mdoutofschooltime@gmail.com.

On The Recent Acts of Violence Committed Against Asian-Americans

Like many you, we at MOST have been deeply disturbed by the events in Atlanta in recent weeks. The past year has seen fear and suspicion of Asian Americans, particularly Asian-American women, give way to an alarming increase in prejudice and violence towards these communities. MOST stands in solidarity with all who have been affected by this tragedy and encourage those who are struggling to find the appropriate support networks within their communities. If you or someone you know needs help, consider the following resources:

Race & Equity Teaching Resources

General

Early Grades Lesson Plans (PK-2nd grade)

  • Anti-racism 101
    If you are nervous about talking about race with your kids, these books about racial diversity will give you an easy place to start destigmatizing difference & celebrating racial diversity.
  • Social justice booklist by grade
    This list of curated books will help teachers introduce topics of racism, civil rights, and diversity, especially to younger students. The list is categorized by grade level and created by The National Network of State Teachers of the Year.

Elementary Grades Lesson Plans (2nd-5th grade)

  • 2020 Anti-Racist Curriculum Guide
    An entire drive of differentiated resources for several grade levels
  • Social justice booklist by grade
    This list of curated books will help teachers introduce topics of racism, civil rights, and diversity, especially to younger students. The list is categorized by grade level and created by The National Network of State Teachers of the Year.

Middle Grades Lesson Plans (6th-8th grade)

  • Discuss Race and Police Violence in the Classroom
    Washington DC Public Schools has 10 guidelines for how to work with students in grappling with these tragedies.
  • Lessons on Specific Forms of Hate, Bias, and Inequality
    These lessons help us explore specific forms of hate, bias, and inequality that need attention in specific communities and across the nation. By exploring ways specific people and communities have been treated as if they are less valuable, students consider ways to call for inclusion and opportunity for all.
  • I Am Not Counterstories
    Using the principles of Critical Literacy, asks students to write a counternarrative. Can be used in middle or high school.

High School+ Lesson Plans (9th-12th+)

  • Toolkit for "What Is White Privilege, Really?"
    This toolkit offers advice, activities and further reading suggestions for educators who want to unpack the concept of whiteness and white privilege with themselves and with students.
  • Discussing Sensitive Topics (re: The N Word in Literature) in the Classroom
    To Kill a Mockingbird, like many literary works, includes both language and topics that require careful consideration from teachers and students. We believe the best way to prepare to encounter these topics is to create a class contract outlining guidelines for a respectful, reflective classroom discussion. Review “Fostering a Reflective Classroom” on page 221 for suggestions for creating classroom contracts.
  • Reflecting on George Floyd's Death and Police Violence Towards Black Americans
    This Teaching Idea is a guide for teachers to begin conversations with their students about George Floyd’s death and the events that surround it. Such conversations are always difficult for teachers to facilitate, and distance learning presents added challenges to teaching sensitive material. Despite these challenges, it is critical to make space for students to process the difficult and deeply painful events

Full List of Educational Resources

 

Resources for Personal Development

 

Local Organizations

Inclusion

The Baltimore Out-Of-School Time Inclusion Project began in 2014 with the goal of increasing opportunities for low-income youth with disabilities to participate safely and effectively in after school and summer programs. MOST has collaborated with Ramapo for Children to continue Baltimore focused cohorts of the OST Inclusion Project and will continue to offer workshops and trainings throughout the year and during our conference.

MOST is also committed to making our website, trainings, and materials accessible and will provide additional accommodations for all our events on request.

For a general guide for parents, youth and OST providers, "Together Beyond the School Day: Including Youth with Disabilities in Out of School Time Programs" is available online as a helpful manual for facilitating inclusion in OST programs.

Data and policy recommendations are included in the Maryland Development Disabilities Council publication: Child Care and Out of School Time Activities: Increasing Quality and Access for Children With Disabilities.


Inclusion Resources