My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. – Desmond Tutu, South African Theologian and Human Activist In December, we celebrate Universal Human Rights Month, which honors the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an international document adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, … read more »
Winter break is coming soon. It is a wonderful time to enjoy the holidays with family, clear the mind, and take stock of the upcoming new year. Most adults appreciate the opportunity to take some time off, but often we hear from our children that they are bored. Here are some family-friendly, low-stress suggestions to … read more »
“It’s not whether children learn from television, it’s what children learn from television…because everything that children see on television is teaching them something.” – Joan Ganz Cooney, co-creator of Sesame Street On November 10, 1969, Sesame Street made its television debut. Sesame Street. This revolutionary show has taught generations of young children various skills, from … read more »
Make a Difference Day held on the fourth Saturday of October, celebrates the power of people to make a difference in the lives of others in their community. This past weekend millions of volunteers worldwide united in a shared mission to volunteer. Created in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine and co-sponsor Points of Light Foundation, … read more »
August 14th was National Navajo Code Talkers day! Celebrate the Navajo Code Talkers in your classroom this month or prepare lessons ahead of Native American Heritage Month in November. The Navajo Code Talkers are an interesting and engaging topic for students of all ages. Books and primary sources are a great way to hook students … read more »
Space Exploration Day is celebrated annually on July 20. It commemorates the first landing of the Eagle lunar module on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility. NASA’s contributions to exploring our world continue toward discovering new and exciting places in our universe. We often talk about using primary sources in classrooms to promote student understanding of content—and what … read more »
Along is a tool that provides reflection activities, digital check-in activities, and ideas to use with students that incorporate text, audio, and/or video. Students can choose which format they want to use to share their responses. Educators can share questions with some or all of their students to make connections and check in on their wellness. … read more »
June is African American Music Month. Well-meaning teachers may take this as an opportunity to introduce a lesson about African American music. However, without context or connection to the curriculum, the class might fall flat and not engage students as intended. I want to suggest a more culturally responsive approach. Reading Teach Boldly for the … read more »
This year marks the 68th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education, in which the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the separate but equal doctrine in American public schools. It is important to remember that many actions predicated this ruling, starting with the first school desegregation suit in 1848. Teaching Brown … read more »
May is when we officially celebrate the Get Caught Reading public service campaign. The idea of the campaign is to share the excitement of reading with others. The sponsoring organization provides posters, others create social media challenges, and libraries plan special events to encourage people to pick up a book. There are many reasons why … read more »