On July 2, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act that banned discrimination in public places, provided for integrating schools and other public facilities, and made employment discrimination illegal. It was the most comprehensive civil rights legislation since Reconstruction. Teach your students about the Civil Rights Act! The Civil Rights Movement is a … read more »
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Nelson Mandela, South African civil rights activist December 10 is Human Rights Day, which commemorates the day that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In 1948, a committee led by Eleanor Roosevelt presented 30 … read more »
Happy August! Wow, where did summer go?! Did you know that August also marks “Win With Civility Month”? When I heard this, I knew that without a doubt I had to address its importance in my monthly blog post. Now first, let’s talk about what exactly is meant by civility. Civility is a polite act … read more »
On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood before thousands and painted a dream of justice, dignity, and equality. His words still echo across classrooms today—but how do we help students truly hear them? On this anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” speech, we invite educators to move beyond passive listening and … read more »
Finding a resource that works for all grade levels and subjects to promote student learning is rare. Project Zero’s Thinking Routines Toolbox (reviewed here) is one of those unicorns. It offers strategies that enhance critical thinking skills in many ways that apply to real-world situations, using research-based strategies that scaffold and support student thinking. Why … read more »
Although teaching significant historical events is important, we sometimes overlook opportunities to recognize those who contribute to the story in lesser-known ways. Integrating these underrecognized persons into lessons offers opportunities for deeper learning and understanding of world events while increasing student engagement. In addition, learning about the lesser-known stories in history enables students to explore … read more »
I forged the thunderbolts. She fired them. Elizabeth Cady Stanton Elizabeth Cady Stanton is a name that might sound familiar, but what do you know about her contributions to American history? Perhaps, more importantly, what do your students know about her contributions? Students often obtain a deeper understanding of history when they learn about lesser-known … read more »
Recognizing and analyzing bias is an important skill to teach students. Teaching about bias helps to expand critical thinking skills, develop empathy, and support understanding of diverse viewpoints. As we learn to use artificial intelligence tools, it is vital to understand that generative tools demonstrate bias in different ways, and we need to look for … read more »
In Part 1 of this blog, we introduced you to eMargin and discussed applying the SAMR Model and the Triple E Framework to using this tool in your instruction. Today’s post offers detailed instructions for using eMargin and shares classroom use ideas. eMargin: When you arrive at eMargin, click the gray button that says It’s free to use and … read more »
As we celebrate and observe African-American History Month in February, we must recognize the importance of making this topic relevant to students beyond just learning about famous African Americans and their contributions to this country’s history. Including specific activities that promote deeper thinking allows us to deepen understanding while building empathy for others. Developing empathy … read more »