NYSUT has developed an online center: "Speak Up, Speak Out: Educating about Justice" that showcases lessons that cut across curriculum and share a common theme: a commitment to furthering justice and giving students "hands-on" experiences.

The goal is to help students achieve state standards, while giving them opportunities to become active citizens and community members.

The project "builds on and enhances" the union's award-winning series of lessons drawn from the social justice legacy of Robert F. Kennedy. You can access more information about the Kennedy project at www.nysut.org/rfk

As part of this ongoing effort, members of the NYSUT Statewide Committee for Social Studies recently spent time at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, Dutchess County, conducting research on the social justice policies and programs of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.

With FDR's role as governor and president, and Eleanor's bold stands for human rights, they provide endless material for a study of their work by educators.

The FDR library contains more than 17 million pages of documents about the lives of the Roosevelts, the Great Depression, the New Deal and World War II.

It also houses exhibits showing what American life was like during those tough times — including one exhibit that reproduces the experience of listening to a presidential "fireside chat" in a humble family kitchen.

"Getting to learn more about a family of American heroes is a fantastic opportunity," said Walter Robertson III, a social studies committee member from the Dunkirk Teachers Association. "Working with experts and primary sources was an honor, albeit one that comes with a burden."

Committee members are focusing on a variety of projects.

Sheila Harte-Dmitriev, from the Clymer Education Association in western New York, will focus on FDR's agricultural policies. Denise Comins from the Ausable Valley TA is working on the "Four Freedoms" for grades 4-6.

Cliff Huen from the Hamburg TA will compare FDR's programs as governor and president. Dunkirk's Robertson will look at Eleanor's role as first lady in opening the door on women's issues. Lori McGivern from the Cortland TA will examine FDR's relationship with labor and its impact on working families.

Jennifer Evans from the New Lebanon TA will report on conducting a local history project, looking at Eleanor's speech at the New Lebanon 1948 graduation.

"This great project taps the skills of our members, the incredible FDR library and experts on the Roosevelt legacy," said NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "Our committee's lessons will help educators and students understand the broad theme of justice throughout the Roosevelts' work."