Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

NextShark is a prominent news platform dedicated to covering stories about Asian and Asian American communities, with a focus on business, culture, entertainment, politics, technology, and lifestyle. The site aims to deliver timely, high-quality reporting on issues that matter. Featured articles include topics such as California's efforts to combat fentanyl in Asian and Pacific Islander communities, China's response to U.S. tariffs, and legislative debates like the proposed ban on Chinese land ownership in Texas.
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tag(s): asia (136)

This storytelling project highlights the experiences and voices of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) individuals in media, entertainment, and beyond. This resource provides powerful personal narratives, video interviews, and educational materials to help students explore identity, representation, and resilience themes. Teachers can use these stories to foster discussions on diversity, inclusion, and the impact of storytelling in shaping cultural awareness. This resource is particularly valuable for middle and high school students studying media, literature, or social studies. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.

tag(s): acting (21), asia (136), composers (20), cultures (226), diversity (46), famous people (28), identity (37), sports (85), stories and storytelling (63)

This podcast features heartfelt conversations with Asian American leaders, entrepreneurs, and community members about identity, heritage, and personal experiences. The podcast host explores immigration, family expectations, career journeys, and social justice through discussions with guests from diverse backgrounds and career paths. Teachers can use episodes to introduce students to diverse Asian American voices, foster discussions on identity and belonging, and encourage personal storytelling. This resource is ideal for middle and high school students studying cultural identity, history, or social issues.
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tag(s): asia (136), careers (182), identity (37), immigrants (48), immigration (84), oral history (14), podcasts (116), stories and storytelling (63)

Listen to episodes of this engaging podcast to explore Asian American culture, identity, and current events with humor and insight. The podcast discusses topics like representation in media, politics, and social justice by featuring interviews with authors, actors, activists, and other influential voices. New episodes are available bi-weekly and are approximately forty-five minutes long. Teachers can use episodes to spark classroom discussions, analyze cultural narratives, and explore the evolving Asian American experience. This resource is handy for middle and high school students studying media, history, or social issues.

tag(s): creating media (18), cross cultural understanding (178), diversity (46), famous people (28), immigrants (48), immigration (84), podcasts (116)

The Cool Cat Teacher features three fast, free lesson plans to fight fake news. The lesson ideas include Breaking News Bellringer, Viral Video News Story, and To Share or Not to Share. Each lesson has an example as a reference.

tag(s): character education (81), digital citizenship (93), digital literacy (16)

The Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) Toolkit, provided by the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, offers educators a variety of downloadable resources to celebrate and raise awareness of JAHM each May. The toolkit includes social media posts, posters, a resource guide, and logos. Additionally, companion resources are available for the poster series featuring notable Jewish Americans. Educators seeking professional development opportunities and further teaching materials can find them through the toolkit. For specific needs, the JAHM team is available year-round to assist schools and organizations in finding appropriate resources.

tag(s): cultures (226), jews (52), social media (50)

Discover these free resources for students to investigate photojournalistic images from the 1940s through the 1970s. The featured photographs were used to illustrate stories in newspapers and magazines, providing visual accounts of events shaping 20th-century history. On the right side, "For the Classroom" links directly to lesson plans, image banks, photojournalism overviews, and questions for teaching. The four lessons featured include: Extra, Extra, Write all about it!, Newsworthy Images, Debating the Bomb, and Vietnam and the Long-term Effect of War. Each lesson has a time allotted, overview, objectives, materials, steps, assessment, and extensions. The lessons are aligned with the California Visual Arts Standards and the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts.

tag(s): images (263), newspapers (94), writing (325)

The Google Fact Check Explorer is a powerful tool for educators to verify the credibility of online information. It provides a searchable database of fact-checks from reputable sources worldwide, helping to quickly identify whether a claim is true, false, or misleading. With filters for specific topics, regions, or sources, it fosters critical thinking and digital literacy, enabling students and teachers to navigate misinformation effectively and engage in informed discussions. This platform is particularly valuable for teaching media literacy and emphasizing the importance of verifying sources in today's digital age.

tag(s): critical thinking (137), digital literacy (16), media literacy (113)

HungerMap Live uses publicly available data to examine food security worldwide. Upon accessing the map, viewers immediately see a circle highlighting the current number of countries with very high levels of hunger. Further exploration shows the number of conflict and climate alerts. The dropdown boxes on the map allow you to navigate to specific countries and PDF reports. You can click any circle on the map to visit that area and access in-depth data, including food security and nutrition statistics.

tag(s): climate (85), climate change (100), cross cultural understanding (178), environment (251), maps (224), nutrition (140), STEM (310), sustainability (51)

National Geographic's Iceland's Glaciers is a seven-minute video that shares footage of the glaciers in Iceland with Dr. Jackson. Dr. Jackson focuses on glaciers and the people who live in Iceland. Glaciers make visible abstract concepts, changes, and stories of the environment. If your school blocks YouTube, you may be unable to view it in your classroom.
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tag(s): glaciers (17)

The Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) blog page on Classroom Presidential Inauguration Activities for Students provides teachers with creative ideas to engage students in understanding the significance of U.S. presidential inaugurations. It includes activities that connect history and civics to students' lives, such as analyzing inaugural speeches, exploring the symbolism in the ceremony, and comparing historical inaugurations. These activities encourage students to think critically about leadership and the traditions associated with the highest office in the country, making it a valuable resource for teachers covering American government or historical events. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): inauguration (10), presidents (136)

The C-SPAN Classroom website offers a comprehensive collection of free educational resources designed to bring current events and government studies to life for students. Featuring primary source videos, lesson plans, and interactive activities, covering various topics, including U.S. history, civics, politics, and public policy. Teachers can access video clips and discussion questions that align with curriculum standards, providing students with direct insights into governmental processes and historical events. Ideal for middle and high school classes, C-SPAN Classroom fosters critical thinking and civic engagement by connecting students with real-world examples of civic issues and political debates. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.

tag(s): inauguration (10), presidents (136), speeches (23)

Visit this site to view live proceedings of the United States House of Representatives as legislators discuss and vote on legislative topics. Adjust the video portion of the site to fit the entire screen for better viewing. Additional settings offer options for adjusting the video quality, viewing captions, and a link to view the floor schedule.

tag(s): branches of government (64), house of representatives (8), politics (118)

The Practical English Teacher website provides free resources for teaching Julius Caesar, ideal for middle and high school classrooms. The site offers activities, lesson plans, and printable materials designed to engage students with Shakespeare's play. Resources include vocabulary lists, comprehension questions, quizzes, and writing prompts to deepen students' understanding of the text. Additionally, the site provides multimedia options like video clips and performance ideas to make the content more accessible and interactive. These resources help teachers facilitate critical discussions around themes in Julius Caesar.

tag(s): julius caesar (11), readers theater (12), shakespeare (99), writing prompts (60)

Black Women's Activism and the Long History Behind #MeToo offers a free three-part lesson. The lessons include exploring #MeToo through the lens of Black Women's history, reading Rosa Parks' account of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and reading a primary source describing one black woman's experience working as a domestic servant in white households. The site includes suggested ways to implement the lesson, including the annotating/paraphrasing of sources and an identity chart. If you register for a free account, the link can be saved to your favorites, and you will be able to access Rosa Parks' account. Note to teachers: Some of the readings and activities below contain references to rape and other forms of sexual violence and harassment that simultaneously may be difficult to understand for some students and all too real for others.

tag(s): black history (135), civil rights (219)

Facing History & Ourselves offers a free lesson on the Equal Rights Amendment. The lesson is divided into two parts: What is the Equal Rights Amendment, and Why Did it Fail to Pass in 1982? The lessons include a CBS video, speeches, and additional resources. The site includes suggested ways to implement the lesson, including the 3Ys thinking routine and big paper discussion technique. If you register for a free account, the link can be saved to your favorites.

tag(s): civil rights (219), women (154), womens suffrage (52)

Verify is a powerful resource for teachers looking to sharpen their students' critical thinking and media literacy skills. The site is focused on fact-checking and identifying false information, it offers real-world examples that help students separate fact from fiction in today's fast-paced media environment. With in-depth analysis of trending topics, Verify empowers educators to guide their students through the complexities of modern information, helping them become intelligent, informed consumers of media. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): critical thinking (137), media literacy (113)

Rock your lessons using popular music and pop culture to engage students. The standards-aligned lessons provide interdisciplinary connections using music as the starting point for in-depth explorations and guided activities. Use the search feature to find lessons and collections sorted by subject, music genre, type of activity, and topic. Subjects range from Civics to CTE to STEAM to Art/Design and many others. Each lesson begins with an essential question and includes procedures, student handouts, and videos.

tag(s): artists (87), cross cultural understanding (178), dance (33), empathy (37), jazz (17), musical instruments (54), social and emotional learning (110), sociology (23), STEM (310)

Voices of Youth is UNICEF's digital community where young people can share opinions and discuss topics that are important to them. Students participate by submitting posts sharing their views on environmental, health, and social issues. Because the site is all about supporting students as changemakers through storytelling, blogging, filming, and interviewing, it includes a resource section that shares tools to improve multimedia, communication, and advocacy skills.

tag(s): disabilities (32), environment (251), hiv/aids (15), inequalities (25), mental health (50), school violence (10), sustainability (51)

The Britannica entry on the "Native American Mascot Controversy" provides an in-depth look at the debate surrounding the use of Native American imagery and names for sports teams and mascots. It explores the historical context, detailing how these mascots have long been considered offensive by many Native American groups, who argue that such representations perpetuate stereotypes and diminish the significance of their culture. The article also discusses key legal cases, decisions by educational institutions, and shifts in public opinion, as well as the broader conversation about cultural appropriation and respect for Indigenous peoples.
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tag(s): courts (24), cultures (226), debate (42), native americans (116)