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60-Second Civics - Center for Civic Education
Grades
5 to 12
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Listen to daily 60-second podcasts to learn about the United States government. Themes explored include constitutional issues related to today's headlines, presidential powers, and...more
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Listen to daily 60-second podcasts to learn about the United States government. Themes explored include constitutional issues related to today's headlines, presidential powers, and more--most episodes pertain to current events topics. In addition to the podcast, there is a daily quiz to check your knowledge of civics-related issues. Scroll down the page to find archives of recent topics, or use the keyword search to find podcasts related to any subject.
tag(s): branches of government (54), constitution (91), democracy (16), elections (76), electoral college (18), house of representatives (10), politics (104), senate (11), supreme court (26)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this podcast to use as a quick class-starter to review and discuss civics topics. If you don't have time to listen daily, consider setting aside 15-20 minutes a week to listen to podcasts from the week and to discuss the daily questions. Engage students in any topic by creating a Google Jamboard, reviewed here, that contains any of the daily questions. Ask students to share their thoughts and response using the sticky note tool. Extend learning by asking students to choose a topic of interest to research. Ask them to share their findings using one of the multimedia tools found at Adobe Spark for Education, reviewed here. Options found at Adobe Spark include options for creating videos, graphics, webpages, and more.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Learn With News - Learn With News
Grades
3 to 9
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Learn With News is a site from the United Kingdom that shares current event articles, each written at three different reading levels. Each article also highlights difficult words and...more
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Learn With News is a site from the United Kingdom that shares current event articles, each written at three different reading levels. Each article also highlights difficult words and features correlating activities, including vocabulary practice, conversation questions, and more. If searching by specific levels, use the tabs on the page to sort resources into any of the three levels. Scroll through the home page to view the articles starting with the most recent or use the search feature to find information using specific terms. Because this site is from the UK, some words will contain spelling that is different than the United States version.
This site includes advertising.
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): differentiation (51), journalism (67), news (245), politics (104)
In the Classroom
Although created with English language learners in mind, this site is a valuable resource for any current events lessons and as a resource for non-fiction reading materials. Bookmark this site for use with any current events lessons and as a resource for finding fact-based information to use to help understand modern history. Use technology tools to help students organize their thinking and share their questions and responses. Engage students by asking them to share their opinions and encourage discussions using FlipGrid, reviewed here. Ask students to respond to the discussion question within Flipgrid using their fact-based research. Use Flipgrid's comment feature to encourage collaboration and student discussion. Extend learning by asking students (or student groups) to research information found in the articles, then share their findings through a multimedia presentation that includes student writing, videos, maps, and infographics. Have students use a presentation tool such as Sway, reviewed here, or Adobe Spark for Education, reviewed here, to share their final projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle - John Cook
Grades
6 to 12
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How do you teach students to understand and build resilience against misinformation? Try using this game created by George Mason University scientist, John Cook, that uses cartoon personifications...more
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How do you teach students to understand and build resilience against misinformation? Try using this game created by George Mason University scientist, John Cook, that uses cartoon personifications of climate science denials. The game is available to play on any browser or download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play. By teaching how others use fake experts and cherry-picking information to spread disinformation, this game engages players as they employ critical thinking skills to build points and learn how to separate fact from myth. The Teacher's Guide features all you need to know to understand how to set up the game for your class, the basic premise and information found in the game, and classroom activities that accompany the game's features.
tag(s): DAT device agnostic tool (167), digital citizenship (71), game based learning (160), internet safety (118), media literacy (85), social media (41)
In the Classroom
Add this game to your toolkit of lessons and activities when teaching Internet safety and media literacy skills. The Teachers' Guide already includes many ideas on integrating the game into classroom lessons and includes using technology to enhance and expand learning. Use these ideas as a starting point to build student engagement and help them understand the real-world applications for the information found in the game. For example, use the suggested Padlet activity, reviewed here, to compile quiz questions as suggested in Activity 5. After completing that activity, have students create their own videos, fake social media posts, or news articles that contain misinformation and create quiz questions for their peers to complete. Adobe Spark for Education, reviewed here, is an excellent tool for students to use when creating websites, videos, flyers, and infographics. As a final project, and to extend learning, have students share what they learned with others by producing podcasts using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or digital books for younger students using Book Creator, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Rock Your World - Creative Visions
Grades
6 to 12
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This middle school and high school curriculum challenges students to think about challenges faced in their communities and beyond, then develop campaigns to overcome the obstacles found....more
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This middle school and high school curriculum challenges students to think about challenges faced in their communities and beyond, then develop campaigns to overcome the obstacles found. Based upon Common Core Standards, the program includes over 70 lessons that begin engaging students through developing an understanding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Lessons don't have to take place in the order offered; select lessons that fit the goals chosen for you and your students.
tag(s): civil rights (142), social and emotional learning (38), women (101)
In the Classroom
Include these free lessons in a variety of ways in your classroom. Use the content to help students understand social causes important to them and how to engage in their cause. This site offers various methods to create social issue campaigns, including music, film, and persuasive writing opportunities. Use this information to differentiate learning opportunities for students with activities that appeal to their interests. For students interested in coding, use Minecraft Education Edition, reviewed here.
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World's Largest Lesson - Project Everyone
Grades
K to 12
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World's Largest Lesson provides resources for educators that teach students about 17 Global Goals created by the leaders of the 193 countries of the United Nations. Visit the Resources...more
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World's Largest Lesson provides resources for educators that teach students about 17 Global Goals created by the leaders of the 193 countries of the United Nations. Visit the Resources portion of the site to browse through the many activities. Narrow your search using the provided filters to locate information by grade level, topic, type of activity, and more. Downloadable lessons include complete directions, printable worksheets, and key questions highlighted during the lesson. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): cross cultural understanding (141), earth (195), energy (182), engineering (111), environment (274), inequalities (26), maps (247), STEM (206)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free educational resources found on this site to include with your lessons about global cultures, the environment, health, and technology. Use the activities and lessons found on the World's Largest Lesson to engage students in understanding and processing information related to serious global issues. Have students use a collaborative whiteboard tool such as Jamboard, reviewed here, to brainstorm solutions to problems using the sticky note feature or to create mind maps and flow charts to organize further research. Enhance learning by asking students to create an interactive, choose your own adventure story using StoryLab, reviewed here. Ask students to use information learned from their lessons to create a story that tells what happens if the earth continues on its current course vs. what happens when suggested changes are implemented.
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The Earth Project - The Earth Project
Grades
7 to 12
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The Earth Project is a global project that promotes sustainable Earth stewardship. Use the links found on the site to learn about current global challenges and current projects designed...more
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The Earth Project is a global project that promotes sustainable Earth stewardship. Use the links found on the site to learn about current global challenges and current projects designed to bring about future changes. Of special interest to educators is the Young Ambassador's Earth Project Discussion Series. This area features a series of video interviews conducted by students asking experts and policymakers about environmental issues.
tag(s): climate change (69), environment (274), pollution (59)
In the Classroom
Include The Earth Project with your other resources when teaching about the environment or as part of lessons conducting interviews. Be sure to look at the Global Challenges section of the site to share when highlighting global tipping points due to climate change, pollution, and other issues. Ask students to choose one global issue to research in-depth either in groups or as an individual project. Use an organizational tool such as Draft, reviewed here, to help students collaborate and manage information. Engage students by using Popped, reviewed here, to create a social media feel to their work. Popped mimics the texting experience and converts information to a script. Have students choose from a variety of presentation tools such as Sway, reviewed here, Powtoon, reviewed here, or Venngage, reviewed here, to share their findings and analysis with you and their peers.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Starting Point - Chris Evans, Mark Kassen, and Joe Kiani
Grades
6 to 12
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A Starting Point is a bipartisan channel to create video communication channels that connect Americans with their elected officials. The website is divided into three main areas - Starting...more
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A Starting Point is a bipartisan channel to create video communication channels that connect Americans with their elected officials. The website is divided into three main areas - Starting Points, Daily Points, and Counterpoints. Starting Points provide two-minute answers to common questions asked of elected officials. Daily Points provide officials the opportunity to share their point of view through two-minute videos. Counterpoint offers the point of view from both sides of the aisle to the shared topics. This portion guides viewers through the opposing viewpoints that are then wrapped up with closing arguments.
tag(s): branches of government (54), civil rights (142), elections (76), foreign policy (13), immigration (65), politics (104)
In the Classroom
Share information from this site with students to demonstrate how to share different viewpoints on current events. This site also provides an opportunity to model how to use facts and information to present ideas and persuade others to consider opposing viewpoints. As students use these videos to compare and contrast viewpoints, use a curation tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, to share information from both sides. Use the shelf feature in Padlet to create columns to add content based on each side's viewpoint or use the map feature to add content found from different locations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Close Up - Close Up Foundation
Grades
6 to 12
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Close Up provides non-partisan civics resources for high schools and middle schools. Chose from options that include podcasts, videos, lesson plans aligned to Common Core Standards,...more
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Close Up provides non-partisan civics resources for high schools and middle schools. Chose from options that include podcasts, videos, lesson plans aligned to Common Core Standards, Discussion Issues, and more. The content covers a broad range of topics, including campaigns and elections, coronavirus, and social issues. Use the filters found on the resource page to choose items by topic or type of resource. Some materials on the site are for purchase; use the checkbox to narrow resources to only free items.
tag(s): civil rights (142), congress (41), constitution (91), elections (76), environment (274)
In the Classroom
Use materials from Close Up to supplement your current civics lessons. Assign groups of students different articles or podcasts to analyze and share with peers. Enhance learning using edpuzzle, reviewed here, to add comments and questions to videos for student consideration. Use Wakelet, reviewed here, to curate resources including articles and podcasts to share with students. Upon completing your teaching unit, ask students to use Wakelet as a multimedia presentation tool to create and share their learning by including written work, images, and links to reference materials.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Looming Plague: The Fight to Contain a New Locust Invasion - Tara John and Bethlehem Feleke, CNN
Grades
6 to 12
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Explore the reasons locusts threaten food security in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia with this CNN interactive. Scroll through to learn how the coronavirus pandemic is hampering the region's...more
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Explore the reasons locusts threaten food security in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia with this CNN interactive. Scroll through to learn how the coronavirus pandemic is hampering the region's ability to implement efforts to fight the impending maturation of locusts that reproduce quickly and devastate crops. The interactive also takes viewers through a timeline of extreme weather events leading to the threat to African crops.
tag(s): africa (148), climate change (69), insects (72), weather (188)
In the Classroom
Include this interactive with lessons about African countries, climate change, weather, or insects. Engage students by exploring this site together using Microsoft Whiteboard, reviewed here, or Google Jamboard, reviewed here, to add notes, images, or create diagrams sharing students' thoughts. For older students, have them explore the site independently and share ideas on a collaborative whiteboard. Ask students to research the problems faced due to locusts and include information from previous infestations. As students conduct their research, use a collaborative site like Milanote, reviewed here, for groups to share articles, images, and brainstorm ideas. Extend learning further by asking students to become the problem solvers and share their suggestions for solving the problem both long term and short term. Provide options for groups to present their findings through various methods of digital media. For example, ask a group to use Google Tour Creator, reviewed here, to create a virtual tour of the problem areas and add images and notes with their suggestions. Have another group use tools found at Genially, reviewed here, to create a presentation that includes interactive images, infographics, and videos using templates found on the site.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources to Develop a Positive Self-Identity - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Encourage your students to develop positive self-identities based on their membership in various groups in society. Help your students to feel confident to express pride and healthy...more
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Encourage your students to develop positive self-identities based on their membership in various groups in society. Help your students to feel confident to express pride and healthy self-esteem about their own self-identity, without devaluing the dignity of those that may be different than they are. The resources shared in this section help teachers to enable students to recognize that people have multiple identities and are members of multiple groups within our society, creating complex and unique individuals.
tag(s): bias (15), difficult conversations (35), identity (21)
In the Classroom
Find resources to educate yourself and your students about various topics related to self-identity. This collection includes lesson plans, blogs, book suggestions, and interactives too. Share these resources with your colleagues and families.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources Related to Difficult Conversations - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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As teachers, we frequently tackle uncomfortable subjects in the classroom, but polarizing public conversations or events in the news can sometimes make these subjects downright difficult...more
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As teachers, we frequently tackle uncomfortable subjects in the classroom, but polarizing public conversations or events in the news can sometimes make these subjects downright difficult to discuss with students. The resources in this collection will give you ideas on how to start and facilitate tough conversations about topics like inequality, injustice, and politics sensitively while still accomplishing learning goals. You'll also find lessons and activities to encourage respectful conversation, inclusivity, empathy, and understanding.
tag(s): difficult conversations (35), empathy (24), racism (57)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection to use to engage in difficult conversations in your classroom. Learn more about difficult conversations and empathy for others in some of the informational readings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Understanding Empathy - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Empathy is our desire and ability to understand and share another person's feelings and use that information to guide our actions. It's the foundation of respect and inclusivity and...more
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Empathy is our desire and ability to understand and share another person's feelings and use that information to guide our actions. It's the foundation of respect and inclusivity and is an essential component of relationship building, resolving interpersonal conflicts, and understanding cause and effect. In this collection, we share resources that will help you create lessons and experiences that cultivate empathy in your students and informational websites about this important topic.
tag(s): empathy (24), perspective (13), racism (57)
In the Classroom
Help your students to develop empathy for others. Share these resources with your colleagues and school parents by emailing the page or sharing the link from your school web page or on your school's LMS.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Resources on Racism and Discrimination - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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As educators, it's our duty to teach our students to respect people of all races, genders, orientations, and cultures, both in our classroom and in the outside world. Racism, sexism,...more
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As educators, it's our duty to teach our students to respect people of all races, genders, orientations, and cultures, both in our classroom and in the outside world. Racism, sexism, and orientation discrimination can be difficult topics to broach in the classroom but are essential to discuss as students find their voices and form their understanding of the world. In this collection, we share resources about combatting racism, lesson plans about the human cost of discrimination, and additional activities to spark meaningful discussion and encourage students at all grade levels to treat all people with respect.
tag(s): black history (77), empathy (24), racism (57)
In the Classroom
Find resources to educate yourself and your students about various topics related to racism and discrimination. This collection includes lesson plans and interactives too. Share these resources with your colleagues and families.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Civics in Real Life - Florida Joint Center for Citizenship
Grades
6 to 12
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Expand civic literacy with weekly updates and resources from the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship. Each week the center adds civics concepts related to the current news. View topics...more
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Expand civic literacy with weekly updates and resources from the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship. Each week the center adds civics concepts related to the current news. View topics by date and title, then click to download. The downloads are one page PDF documents containing a short overview of the relevant topic along with a "To Think and To Do" activity.
tag(s): constitution (91), courts (21), elections (76), electoral college (18), holidays (134), politics (104), presidents (119), supreme court (26)
In the Classroom
Because this site offers weekly downloads, it is a great addition to use in any social studies classroom for civics lessons or providing ongoing civics discussions throughout the school year. Engage students by creating groups to explore concepts even further throughout the year. For example, divide your class into four or five groups, then have each group rotate throughout the month to take the information from a weekly update and conduct further research. Use Padlet, reviewed here, to curate and share each of the activities for students to revisit and review the content. Take advantage of tools such as Google Slides,reviewed here, to focus student groups on learning activities. Create a slide template that includes students' areas to answer questions, reflect upon finding, and share resources used. Extend learning using podcasts as a final project for students to discuss and share their researched topic. Buzzsprout, reviewed here, is an excellent option for podcasting in the classroom because of the free features that include adding links and lists to podcasts and the ability to schedule podcasts release for your chosen date and time. Want to learn more about using podcasts in education? Watch the archive of the July 2018 OK2Ask professional learning session, Engage & Inspire: Podcasting in the Classroom, reviewed here.
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Fake News - Real News vs. Fake News - Pace University
Grades
4 to 12
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This helpful page provides information to help users understand how to verify news resources for research purposes. This resource guides the readers through suggested tips on how to...more
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This helpful page provides information to help users understand how to verify news resources for research purposes. This resource guides the readers through suggested tips on how to stay alert and recognize fake news. It also shares suggestions on how to avoid disinformation by identifying the use of techniques such as sensational headlines. Be sure to check out the Breaking News Consumer's Handbook located at the bottom of the website that includes eleven ways to identify and recognized fake news stories and resources.
tag(s): digital citizenship (71), internet safety (118), journalism (67), media literacy (85), news (245)
In the Classroom
Include this article with your other resources for teaching how to navigate online information. Include this website within a learning management system such as ActivelyLearn, reviewed here, to build a complete learning unit that includes articles, videos, and assessments that fully immerse and engage students in the learning activities. Enhance learning throughout the school year using Padlet, reviewed here, to curate and organize online information. For example, create a Padlet that includes a column for each of the four categories of fake news mentioned on this website, then ask students to share examples found during online use. Extend learning by asking students to become the teacher through presentations on how to recognize and avoid fake news. Provide a variety of options for student presentations including a comic creation tool like ToonyTool, reviewed here, Biteable, reviewed here, to create simple video explainers, or use Minecraft Education Edition, reviewed here, and have students create a game to teach the hazards of disinformation.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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SpeakUp! - Martie Gillin
Grades
5 to 12
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SpeakUp! is a non-profit organization that provides resources to support teens in developing positive relationships with adults. Their programs' focus is on encouraging teens to have...more
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SpeakUp! is a non-profit organization that provides resources to support teens in developing positive relationships with adults. Their programs' focus is on encouraging teens to have supportive conversations that help teens deal with any issues. Register for upcoming programs or learn how to become a SpeakUp! school. Be sure to check out the link to the site's resources that includes helpful guides with contact information for help with many different topics, including suicide, drug abuse, bullying, and more.
tag(s): bullying (52), cyberbullying (47), diseases (71), drugs and alcohol (28), eating disorders (8), sexuality (15), social and emotional learning (38), social media (41)
In the Classroom
Share the resource guides with parents and students on your class website to use when facing any of the covered topics. Use Padlet, reviewed here or Wakelet, reviewed here, to curate and share helpful guides for parents and students within one collection. As you and your class discuss problems that face teens, ask students to use Canva Edu, reviewed here, to share what they learn. For example, have students create posters to display in the classroom that include the dangers of drug abuse and include tips for helping someone that displays signs of drug abuse. Ask other students to design and share infographics that include facts and figures discussing cyberbullying, along with suggestions on how to respond to bullies.
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Preparing Students for Difficult Conversations - FacingHistory.org
Grades
6 to 12
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This lesson provides a foundation for creating a safe and supportive classroom to discuss difficult issues. It is part of a larger unit based upon the shooting of Michael Brown ...more
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This lesson provides a foundation for creating a safe and supportive classroom to discuss difficult issues. It is part of a larger unit based upon the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the racial tension that followed the shooting. Although the focus is on Ferguson, easily use this example lesson with any other difficult topics. This lesson includes a video, student materials, and additional resources, including supplemental articles to use in discussions.
tag(s): civil rights (142), journalism (67), media literacy (85), racism (57), social media (41)
In the Classroom
As an introduction to the lesson, one of the activities is to ask students to brainstorm a list of teens' news resources and a list of news resources used by parents or older people. Use Microsoft Whiteboard, reviewed here, or Google Jamboard, reviewed here, to create and analyze your lists. Use the whiteboard tools to create lists, Venn Diagrams, and add notes to extend student reflections on different news sources. Turn the Know-Heard-Learned Chart included in the lesson into an editable worksheet to use as a collaborative document to record student understanding of any events' timeline. Learn how at this archived recording of an OK2Ask professional learning session.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Say Their Names - Chicago Public Schools
Grades
K to 12
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This Google document shares strategies and suggestions to help parents and educators discuss race, racism, racial violence, bias, and racial justice. The document includes recommendations...more
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This Google document shares strategies and suggestions to help parents and educators discuss race, racism, racial violence, bias, and racial justice. The document includes recommendations and links to resources on how to start difficult conversations, where to find resources, mental health resources, and how to teach students to understand and evaluate information found in the media. Be sure to check back often; this document updates on an ongoing basis.
tag(s): civil rights (142), courts (21), politics (104), racism (57)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this document as a guide to discussing racism in the classroom and as a link to many additional materials. Organize your resources using a curation tool such as Padlet, reviewed here. Use the shelf option in Padlet to create columns to organize information. For example, create columns to sort materials by grade levels or by type of content. As you teach lessons, use a mind mapping tool like Coggle, reviewed here to organize and share complex information. Extend learning using Biteable, reviewed here to create student-produced explainer videos sharing their ideas on addressing racism, media literacy strategies, or steps to help others through difficult times.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Lowdown: The Obama Years, A Retrospective Lesson Plan - PBS Learning Media
Grades
6 to 12
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Explore the achievements and setbacks of Barack Obama's presidency in this lesson that includes an interactive timeline of his eight years in office. The lesson plan includes essential...more
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Explore the achievements and setbacks of Barack Obama's presidency in this lesson that includes an interactive timeline of his eight years in office. The lesson plan includes essential questions, vocabulary, and suggestions for small group or individual instruction. Activities are correlated to Common Core Standards, or sign in using a free account to link activities to your state standards.
tag(s): 20th century (48), black history (77), presidents (119)
In the Classroom
As you explore the interactive timeline together as a class or with small groups, use a simple polling tool like SurveyPlanet, reviewed here, to assess student understanding of the different events on the timeline. Use SurveyPlanet to add each event to a poll and ask students to weigh in on their opinion on if the event was an accomplishment or a setback to the Obama administration. Use an online curation tool such as Padlet, reviewed here, to organize and share additional resources with students to enhance learning. For example, create a Padlet with columns for each year of the Obama presidency and add online articles from different resources that discuss each event. Extend learning by asking students to apply their knowledge of the Obama presidency and compare it to another president's term in office using one of the storytelling tools found at Knight Lab, reviewed here. Scroll down Knight Lab's main page to find options that include an image comparison tool, Storyline to tell the stories behind numbers, StoryMap - maps that tell numbers, and a timeline creation tool.
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Today's News, Tomorrow's Lesson - Share My Lesson
Grades
6 to 12
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Today's News, Tomorrow's Lesson brings the latest news and current events into your classroom with timely information, videos, and discussion questions from PBS NewsHour Extra. Select...more
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Today's News, Tomorrow's Lesson brings the latest news and current events into your classroom with timely information, videos, and discussion questions from PBS NewsHour Extra. Select any post to open the resource and read more about the prompt or question. Articles share a summary of the issue along with the video clip from the PBS NewsHour discussion. In addition to discussion questions, this site also includes extension activities to enhance learning. This site doesn't require registration; however, creating an account allows you to save favorites to collections for later use. The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
tag(s): journalism (67), news (245), politics (104)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use with any current events lessons and as a resource for finding fact-based information to use to help understand modern history. Most of the discussion questions ask students to defend a point of view based on the shared topic. Use technology tools to help students organize their thinking and share their questions and responses. Engage students in the learning process using Fiskkit, reviewed here, as a collaborative discussion tool for sharing online articles related to the topic discussed. Fiskkit offers tools for annotating and collaboratively discussing online information. Share student opinions and discussions using FlipGrid, reviewed here. Ask students to respond to the discussion question within Flipgrid using their fact-based research. Use the comment feature to encourage collaboration and student discussion. As a final project, extend learning by asking students (or student groups) to share their responses as part of a multimedia presentation that includes student writing, videos, maps, and infographics. Have students use a presentation tool such as Sway, reviewed here, or Adobe Spark in K-12, reviewed here, to share their final projects.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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