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Teaching Tools

Teachers In Action

See our tools for teachers with instructional best practices for culturally sustaining schooling and for working to ensure your students learn despite the climate of classroom censorship. Over time, we will add more tools with topical and grade filters.

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Lesson Plan

True Teens of History: This Girl Fought for Free Speech

This teaching resource from Junior Scholastic covers the inspiring story of Mary Beth Tinker, a student who fought for free speech in schools. The package includes a detailed lesson plan, a quiz, a skills sheet, and a video. These materials provide educators with tools to engage students in learning about Tinker’s landmark case and its impact on First Amendment rights, encouraging critical thinking and discussion on the importance of free speech. Teaching Resources are located at the bottom of the page.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, U.S. Government

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8
  • Joe Bubar and Bryan Brown with Junior Scholastic
  • Time: 45 minutes

Teaching Tool

Emma Tenayuca and the 1938 San Antonio Pecan Shellers Strike

This website offers educators valuable resources and tools to explore the life and impact of Emma Tenayuca, a Mexican American labor leader and civil rights activist. An evolving list of historical context, related curriculum, and multimedia content is provided to help students understand Tenayuca’s role in labor movements and her contributions to social justice. A featured short film (in English or with Spanish subtitles) by Anne Lewis is available to watch for free with an email signup.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Texas History

Grade Levels

  • 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
  • Anne Lewis
  • Time: Varies

Teaching Tool

Timeline: Key Events in the Israel-Arab and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Conversations on social media, news media coverage, events on college campuses, and general public discourse related to the Israel-Hamas war demonstrate a dire need for accurate information about Israel, Zionism, and the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict. As the war continues to evolve, staying well-informed about the historical context and ongoing developments is crucial for fostering more understanding and informed opinions. The timeline here aims to address frequently asked questions about Israel’s history and to help dispel misinformation about the events leading up to this point. It summarizes key events in both Israel’s history within the broader context of the Arab-Israeli and Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, World History

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • American Jewish Committee
  • Time: Varies

Lesson Plan

Just Mercy, Adapted for Young People

This comprehensive teaching guide provides valuable resources for educators to facilitate classroom discussions and activities around Bryan Stevenson’s powerful book, Just Mercy. Aimed at deepening students’ understanding of social justice, legal reform, and human rights, the guide includes: discussion questions, activity suggestions, further reading and resources, and essay prompts. These tools aim to foster a deeper understanding of the legal system and inspire students to consider their roles in advocating for justice and equality.

Subjects

  • Library, U.S. History, Social Studies, English Language Arts

Grade Levels

  • 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Bryan Stevenson
  • Varies

Teaching Tool

The Story of Grace Hopper for Kids

The Story of Grace Hopper for Kids is an engaging video teaching tool designed to introduce young learners to the fascinating life and achievements of Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist and naval officer. Through colorful animations and narrated storytelling, the video brings to life Grace Hopper’s journey from her childhood fascination with gadgets to her groundbreaking contributions to computer programming and technology. Kids will learn about Grace Hopper’s role in developing the first compiler and the COBOL programming language, as well as her pioneering spirit and determination to break barriers in a male-dominated field.

Subjects

  • Science, Math, U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
  • Bedtime History Stories
  • Time: 11 minutes

Teaching Tool

Crispus Attucks, First Martyr of the American Revolution

In this short video from Biography, learn about the life of Crispus Attucks, a runaway slave and stevedore who, as the first man killed during the Boston Massacre, became the first martyr of the American Revolution, later inspiring the abolitionist cause.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • 6, 7, 8
  • Biography
  • Time: 2 minutes

Teaching Tool

The Exceptional Life of Benjamin Banneker

This video is a teaching tool for educators. Born in 1731 to freed slaves on a farm in Baltimore, Benjamin Banneker was obsessed with math and science. And his appetite for knowledge only grew as he taught himself astronomy, mathematics, engineering, and the study of the natural world. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua details the numerous accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker.

Subjects

  • Science, Math, U.S. History, Social Studies

Grade Levels

  • K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua for TED-Ed
  • Time: 4 minutes

Teaching Tool

Teaching Gloria E. Anzaldúa: Pedagogy and Practice for Our Classrooms and Communities

Use the transformative ideas of Gloria E. Anzaldúa with Teaching Gloria E. Anzaldúa: Pedagogy and Practice for Our Classrooms and Communities, a dynamic teaching tool designed for educators seeking to apply Anzaldúa’s theories in meaningful ways. This collection of nineteen essays offers practical insights and pedagogical strategies for incorporating Anzaldúa’s groundbreaking ideas into the classroom and community settings. Divided into three sections: Curriculum Design, Pedagogy and Praxis, and Decolonizing Pedagogies, this book provides resources to integrate in to your teaching. Included in the text are: lesson plans, activities, and suggested readings, empowering educators to engage students in critical dialogue and transformative learning experiences inspired by Anzaldúa’s visionary work.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Texas History

Grade Levels

  • 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Zinn Education Project
  • Time: Varies

Teaching Tool

Jovita Idar

The website dedicated to Jovita Idar by the University of Texas at San Antonio offers a comprehensive resource for educators. It details the life and contributions of Jovita Idar, a pioneering Mexican American journalist, activist, and educator who fought for civil rights, education, and women’s suffrage in the early 20th century. The site includes biographical information, historical context, primary source documents, and multimedia resources. IT also includes links to additional resources, making it an invaluable teaching tool for lessons on civil rights, women’s history, and Mexican American studies. Educators can utilize this resource to provide students with a rich understanding of Idar’s impact on U.S. history and her legacy in social justice.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, Texas History

Grade Levels

  • 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • The University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Time: Varies

Teaching Tool

Brave Ruby

This lesson plan offers an engaging and interactive introduction to Ruby Bridges’ contribution to civil rights and U.S. history. Designed for younger elementary-aged children, the lesson includes an interactive read-aloud, vocabulary words, and a video to provide background information on Ruby Bridges’ remarkable journey as the first African American child to integrate an all-white school in New Orleans. Through this lesson, students gain a basic understanding of Bridges’ courage and the significance of her role in advancing the cause of civil rights in the United States.

Subjects

  • U.S. History, Social Studies, English Language Arts

Grade Levels

  • K, 1, 2
  • Scholastic News
  • Time: 30 minutes

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