History & social studies / Resources
by Susan Curtis · Published 07/14/2023 · Last modified 08/14/2023
As the twenty-second anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, help students born as much as a decade later understand the attacks and their impacts on us since that tragic day. We’ve gathered teaching resources from many sources.
Writing poems for two voices lets student researchers delve deep into multiple sources and unearth differing perspectives. Jenn Bogard and Lisa Donovan offer a sample poem based on Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother image, merging the stories of the photographer and the subject.
Ever since Gilgamesh ran into challenges, humans have recorded stories that thrill us and help us gain social emotional skills. Stephanie Farley shares ELA activities that help students understand characters and learn the elements of SEL through projects they do together.
What might students learn about the “invisible process” of reading prose fiction by a comparative study of a novel and its graphic novel counterpart? Jason DeHart promises high interest and aha moments as readers see the story not only with their minds but with their eyes.
Rigor by Design, Not Chance by Karin Hess is well researched, clear in providing the essentials to increase rigor and engagement, and timely in helping educators plan for the deeper learning needed now more than ever to build lifelong learners, writes NBCT Kathleen Palmieri.
I Will Screw This Up / Mental Health
by Dina Strasser · Published 06/28/2023 · Last modified 06/30/2024
Our students are struggling with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues in response to financial instability, hate speech, anti-trans laws, mass shootings, pandemic impacts and other issues that can’t be minimized as the effects of social media, writes Dina Strasser.
Math and ELA rule in the early middle grades. Kathie Palmieri asked her 5th graders to reflect on the science and social studies wedged into her class this year. She’s amazed at all they retained and their ideas to blend in more. Now she’s plotting to put their ideas to work.
We have a severe shortage of tech workers that’s growing geometrically. Today, women make up just 27% of people in STEM careers. How do we finally get girls fully engaged in STEM? Anne Jolly shares a series of questions and tips that can guide STEM teachers and school leaders.
As the weeks of summer spread out before us, teacher educator Curtis Chandler anticipates teachers will enjoy their well-earned break, balance relaxation with productivity, engage in self-selected, unmandated professional development, and reflect on fall’s possibilities.
Where can assistant principals turn when they need to find encouragement and renewal in one of education’s toughest jobs? Veteran AP DeAnna Miller has found ways to strengthen her confidence and optimism as a leader through online communities and authors like Baruti Kafele.
