Dashka Slater’s The 57 Bus full novel study lessons can be found HERE on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Dashka Slater’s The 57 Bus is an award-winning book that follows the story of a teenage binary person, Sasha, and their classmate, Richard. When Richard makes a bold statement on a bus ride home from school, by lighting Sasha’s kilt on fire, the lives of both boys are changed forever. Richard claims he did not intend to light the skirt on fire. That he was merely showing off for his friends. A judge doesn’t buy this excuse and Richard is charged for an attempted murder charge with a hate crime due to third degree burns suffered by Sasha. Through this powerful story, students can learn about social injustice and its consequences. Here are some ways teachers can use The 57 Bus to teach students about these important topics.
Introduce the Story
Before diving into the themes of social justice and inequality that are explored in The 57 Bus, it’s important for students to understand the context of the story. Introduce the characters and their backgrounds in order to establish a connection with them as readers. Explain how their experiences differ due to factors such as race, gender identity and socioeconomic status. Once everyone is familiar with the plot of the book, delve deeper into its themes.
Discuss Social Justice Issues
In The 57 Bus, Dashka Slater introduces many different social justice issues that affect both Sasha and Richard—especially when it comes to facing legal justice after their altercation on the bus. Ask students what they think should happen in response to this incident; most likely they will have strong opinions based on what they’ve read so far! Discuss how privilege plays a role in situations like this one; why might someone be treated differently due to their race or gender? Encourage students to think critically about these questions and come up with creative solutions for promoting social justice.
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Encourage Discussion About Gender & Identity
Gender and identity are important themes throughout “The 57 Bus,” and provide an excellent opportunity for open dialogue with your students. Ask them questions like “What does it mean to have a gender identity?” or “How do you think Richard’s gender identity shaped his experience on the bus?” This encourages critical thinking skills while also helping foster an understanding of gender diversity in the classroom. Additionally, you could use activities like role-play or group discussions to further explore these topics with your students.
Promote Empathy & Acceptance
At its core, “The 57 Bus” is a story about empathy and acceptance. Encourage your students to think critically about how they would have handled the situation if they were in Sasha or Richard’s shoes. You could also incorporate activities such as journaling or art projects so that students can express their thoughts on empathy in creative ways. By doing this, you will reinforce the message of the book – that everyone should be respected regardless of their race, gender identity, religion, or beliefs.
Teach About Social Justice & Injustice
Throughout “The 57 Bus,” there are multiple examples of social injustice as well as moments where justice prevails – such as when a stranger speaks out against racism on behalf of Sasha during her trial. Talk to your students about what these moments mean in terms of social justice and injustice in our society today. You could also have your class watch related documentaries or read other books on similar topics so that they can deepen their understanding of these concepts even further.
Examine Consequences of Inequality
Although Richard faces serious consequences for his actions within this story, Sasha also deals with difficult repercussions due their gender identity—something they never asked for nor chose for themself. Showing students how unfairness can manifest itself is an effective way to teach them about inequality in our society today. Ask your students to consider what could have happened if Sasha hadn’t been judged based on their gender identity or if Richard hadn’t been punished so harshly for his mistake? How do we begin creating change? Allow your class time for discussion; hearing different perspectives will help them understand various people’s points of view surrounding these topics.
By using Dashka Slater’s novel The 57 Bus as an educational tool, educators can effectively introduce powerful topics such as social injustice and inequality into their classrooms. Understanding our own biases and those of others is an essential step towards creating a more just world—and teaching books like The 57 Bus helps us get there! With thoughtful discussion prompts and reflective activities surrounding these important topics, your class will be well-equipped to take action towards creating positive change in their communities.
For an article about the novel, Thirst by Varsha Bajaj, click HERE
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