196 Results

Understanding and Challenging Ageism

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Speaking and Listening, Language Ageism is a term that was coined in 1969 by Robert Neil Butler as a way to describe bias against older people; the term was patterned on definitions of sexism and racism. Ageism is most commonly understood to describe bias and discrimination against older people but it can also include bias against young people or even specific age groups like millennials. Ageism can take many…

September 19, 2017

The First Amendment in Public Schools

Lesson Plan

Gavel atop the First Amendment to the Constitution

Teach students about the First Amendment, how these freedoms originated and how they function today.

September 19, 2017

After Charlottesville: Teaching about Racism, Antisemitism and White Supremacy

Tools and Strategies

Teacher and Students in Library Discussion

In August 2017, ‘Unite the Right’ convened one of the largest and most violent gatherings in decades in the U.S. that brought together white supremacist groups including the alt-right, neo-Nazis and the Ku Klux Klan. The gathering’s stated goal was to save the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, because like other places in the South, there are still monuments celebrating leaders of the Confederacy. Hundreds gathered on Friday evening and Saturday to broadcast their…

August 16, 2017

5 Things to Know about the Jewish High Holidays

Tools and Strategies

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the High Holidays, are celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. The High Holidays fall on different days each year. For the specific dates each year, check our Calendar of Observances. These and other Jewish holidays fall on different days in our calendar because they follow the Jewish calendar, which has a different number of days than our calendar. The Jewish calendar is a Soli-lunar calendar.&nbsp…

June 06, 2017

Myths and Facts about Muslim People and Islam

Tools and Strategies

There are 1.8 billion Muslim people worldwide and an estimated 3.45 million Muslims living in the United States. Islam is currently the second largest religion in the world next to Christianity. Despite the fact that there are so many Muslims in the world, in many places there is a lack of understanding about Muslim people and Islam. In addition, the increase in anti-Muslim rhetoric and the unfortunate conflation of terrorism with Muslim people contributes to biased attitudes and…

May 30, 2017

Summer Reading!

Tools and Strategies

Whether your child is five or fifteen, summer is a great time to nurture reading for enjoyment. With a more flexible and relaxed schedule free of homework and tests, young people can read what they want, try new genres of fiction and non-fiction, explore new interests and visit unknown places. In addition, regular reading for pleasure is one way to prevent the “summer slide,” which is the summer learning loss of academic achievement that often happens when kids are off from…

May 26, 2017

What Bullying Is and Is Not (en Español)

Tools and Strategies

Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current EventsBullying is a phrase we hear regularly and often: in the media, on TV shows and movies, in schools and in conversations among both adults and children. Parents, students and schools are rightfully worried about bullying. It is a problem and cause for concern but may not be as widespread as many think because the term “bullying” is often used as an umbrella to describe all kinds of mean behavior—from a rude comment to a…

May 09, 2017

How Can I Use Books to Address Bullying Among Young Children?

Tools and Strategies

Early Childhood Question Corner For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Children’s literature can be an effective tool for addressing the growing concerns about physical, verbal, and relational bullying in schools. Though bullying has been traditionally dismissed by some as “just a part of growing up,” most educators today understand that it is a pervasive problem with harmful and damaging effects on all members of the school community. The use of literature to…

March 14, 2017

Swastikas and Other Hate Symbols

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Language We see symbols every day in all aspects of our lives. Symbols are used to convey ideas, qualities, emotions, material objects/products, opinions and beliefs. Unfortunately, symbols are also used to convey hate and bias. Lately, we have seen a lot of hate symbol graffiti in public spaces and specifically the swastika, which in most circumstances is understood as an expression of antisemitism. There has reportedly…

March 09, 2017

Antisemitic Incidents: Being an Ally, Advocate and Activist

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Speaking and Listening, Language The surge of antisemitic incidents in the United States is alarming to many. Several reported incidents include graffiti using swastikas, bomb threats, vandalism and shootings, targeting Jewish Community Centers (JCC) and institutions across the country. At the Chesed Shel Emeth Society cemetery, a historic century-old Jewish cemetery in University City, a suburb of St…

February 27, 2017

7 Ideas for Teaching Women's History Month

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School, Middle School, High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Language, Speaking and Listening In commemoration of Women’s History Month, this resource helps educators engage students in thinking broadly and critically about the experience of women and gender in all of its complexity. In highlighting the significant events as well as people that have made a substantial contribution to women’s experience, instruction should…

February 22, 2017

Education Resources on Refugees, Muslim People and Anti-Muslim Bigotry

Tools and Strategies

Refugees in Keleti Train Station Budapest Hungary

There are 1.91 billion Muslim people worldwide and Islam is currently the second largest religion in the world next to Christianity. Despite the fact that there are so many Muslims in the world, in many places there is a lack of understanding about Muslim people. In addition, anti-Muslim bigotry is manifesting in personal biases, stereotyping, microaggressions, identity-based bullying, biased rhetoric, hate crimes and more. The following education resources include lesson plans,…

February 21, 2017

Interview with Rosalind Wiseman, Bullying Prevention Specialist

Podcast

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers Rosalind Wiseman talks about raising teenagers in a complex world, the role of social media and gaming, what teachers can do to engage students and how her own parenting informs her work. Rosalind Wiseman is a teacher, thought leader, author and media spokesperson on bullying prevention, ethical leadership, the use of social media and media literacy. She is the author of several books including Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter…

February 01, 2017

10 Ways Youth Can Engage in Activism

Tools and Strategies

For Educators Our country has a long history of youth-led movements that brought about significant social change. Young people have advocated for child labor laws, voting rights, civil rights, school desegregation, immigration reform and LGBTQ rights. Through their actions, the world has changed. Because young people often have the desire, energy and idealism to do something about the injustice they see in the world, they are powerful agents for change. Our work in education helps…

January 17, 2017

Can We Talk? Tips for Respectful Conversations in Schools, Workplaces and Communities

Tools and Strategies

Being able to have respectful and constructive conversations is the bedrock of any relationship—whether those connections take place at home, school, work or in communities. However, when controversy or conflict arises, the discussions can quickly become polarized, heated and personal, making it very difficult to have a conversation where different points of view are aired and discussed. These conversations can be about something controversial like politics, current events, moral…

January 01, 2017

Let's Talk Politics: Bias, Dialogue and Critical Thinking

Tools and Strategies

Teachers may want to engage young people in conversations about presidential and other elections and provide opportunities for students to learn more, ask questions and understand what they see and hear. Below are tips and strategies for engaging in these potentially contentious conversations in the classroom and doing so with a critical thinking and anti-bias lens. These strategies can also be used with other controversial issues that arise in your classroom. It is critical that students…

September 09, 2016

Teaching about Elections and Voting

Tools and Strategies

Elections and voting provide many interesting opportunities to teach students about civics, how government works, the electoral process, current events, historical context and campaign politics. Young people want to be part of the conversation--and should be. They are eager for information, reflection and dialogue. Below are education resources, lesson plans, family resources and other election-related content to assist you in teaching and talking about elections. …

December 01, 2016

How Can I Help Children Appreciate Diversity?

Tools and Strategies

Early Childhood Question Corner For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers You can help children embrace differences by exposing them to diversity as early as possible. This can be a natural part of everyday living as children develop relationships outside their family. Answer children’s questions about differences openly and honestly as they come up, and if you don't know the answers, seek them out. Another way to ensure diversity in children’s lives is to…

November 15, 2016

The First Amendment and Our Freedoms

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, Language The words that make up the First Amendment haven’t changed since they were adopted by the United States as part of the Bill of Rights on December 15, 1791. For over 200 years, the First Amendment has been the cornerstone of freedom in the United States. Commonly referred to as the “five freedoms,” the First Amendment has helped people in the U.S. exercise their rights to…

November 10, 2016

8 Ideas for Teaching National Hispanic Heritage Month

Lesson Plan

GRADE LEVEL: Elementary School, Middle School, High School COMMON CORE STANDARDS: Reading, Writing, Language, Speaking and Listening Commemorating National Hispanic Heritage Month In commemoration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we present this resource to help teachers engage students in thinking broadly and critically about the Hispanic American experience in all of its complexity. In highlighting the significant events as well as people that have made a substantial contribution…

August 19, 2016