Grade: Middle School

Coming Out: Jason Collins
By: Jinnie Spiegler
Posted On: May. 1, 2013
Area: Current Issues
Grade Level: High School, Middle School
Subject: LGBTQ Issues

NBA player Jason Collins recently became the first openly gay athete in a major American team sport. In this activity, students read some of Collins' coming out statement, discuss it, and then consider their views on the impact coming out can have, both personally and for society.  

Cut Social Security? Ask a Senior!
By: Laura McClure
Posted On: Apr. 20, 2013
Area: Current Issues
Grade Level: Middle School, High School
Subject: Economy

President Obama's recent proposal to cut Social Security's cost-of-living increases is part of a major national debate, but one that many students know little about. In this activity, students find out about Social Security  by interviewing a senior family member or friend about it, and through reading and small and large-group discussion. 

In the aftermath of the Boston marathon attack...
By: Morningside Center
Posted On: Apr. 16, 2013
Area: Current Issues
Grade Level: Middle School, Elementary School, High School
Subject: Diversity, Handling Difficult Issues, Race & Racism

Our guidelines for talking with children about sensitive issues and suggestions for countering anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias may be helpful in the wake of the Boston Marathon attack.

Teaching on Earth Day?
By: Morningside Center
Posted On: Apr. 10, 2013
Area: Current Issues
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Subject: Energy & Climate Change

Planning an Earth Day teach-in in your classroom? See our collection of Earth Day lessons! 

3 Lessons on High Stakes Testing
By: Morningside Center
Posted On: Mar. 13, 2013
Area: Classroom Ideas & Resources
Grade Level: High School, Middle School
Subject: Education

See our three recent classroom lessons aimed at helping students grapple with both the personal and political sides of high-stakes testing:

Let's Talk About Testing
By: Jinnie Spiegler
Posted On: Mar. 12, 2013
Area: Classroom Ideas & Resources
Grade Level: Middle School, High School
Subject: Education
In this interactive lesson, students learn more about the high-stakes testing debate, explore different points of view about this issue, consider their own views, and identify actions they can take to address their concerns about high-stakes testing.

An Introduction to Circles
By: Marieke van Woerkom
Posted On: Mar. 3, 2013
Area: Social & Emotional Learning
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Subject: Active Listening, Affirmation, Communication, Conflict Resolution/Mediation, Cooperation & Community Building, Handling Difficult Issues, Handling Feelings, Problem-Solving, Teaching Strategies
Circles use a highly structured process to create a safe space where people can share their feelings and experiences. Since 2011, Morningside Center has partnered with the NYC Department of Education to introduce Peace and Restorative Circles into schools around New York City. Here, Morningside Center trainer Marieke van Woerkom outlines the basic elements of Circles.

Respect for All 2013
By: Morningside Center
Posted On: Jan. 29, 2013
Area: Classroom Ideas & Resources
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Subject: Bullying, Conflict Resolution/Mediation, Diversity, Holidays & Observances, LGBTQ Issues, Race & Racism, Religion

A selection of activities to help you and your class mark Respect for All Week, February 11-15, 2013.

Conflict Resolution Word Find
By: TeachableMoment
Posted On: Dec. 26, 2012
Area: Classroom Ideas & Resources
Grade Level: Middle School, High School
Subject: Conflict Resolution/Mediation

A conflict resolution word-find game!

Suggestions for Parents on Talking with Children about the Newtown Killing
By: Jinnie Spiegler
Posted On: Dec. 16, 2012
Area: Classroom Ideas & Resources, Social & Emotional Learning
Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School
Subject: Handling Difficult Issues

Jinnie Spiegler, a parent and education activist, offers suggestions for parents who want to talk with their children about what happened in Newtown.

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TeachableMoment, a project of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, fosters social responsibility by sharing free K-12 classroom lessons, activities and ideas with educators.