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Resources
(Key: E = Elementary, M = Middle, H = High, TR = Teacher Resources)
August
September
October
November
December
January 2009
February
March
April
May
June
July
AUGUST
4 170th anniversary of the Trail of Tears. The Trail of Tears was the forced relocation of Native Americans from their homelands to the Western United States. Approximately 4,000 of 18,000 removed Cherokees died.
A Walk of Betrayal: The Trail of Tears by Mary Towles, The Apple. This lesson plan traces the history of the Cherokee, discusses the impact of the white man and studies the Trail of Tears. Students examine the survival of the Cherokee and explore their accomplishments into the 21st century. (E, M) http://www.theapple.com/training/articles/2154-3-5-a-walk-of-betrayal-the-trail-of-tears
And justice for all: the Trail of Tears, Mexican deportation, and Japanese internment by Patricia Camp. Many textbooks mention the Trail of Tears, but fail to mention that this early displacement of an ethnic minority is only one of many legally-sanctioned forced relocations. This lesson addresses the displacement of American Indians through the Trail of Tears, the forced deportation of Mexican Americans during the Great Depression and the internment of Japanese American citizens during WWII. (M, H) http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/pcamp012606
6 Hiroshima Day
Hiroshima: Why America Dropped the Atomic Bomb by Ronald Takaki. In this book, Takaki considers the ways in which stereotypes of the Japanese influenced public opinion and policymakers. Useful for educators teaching about Hiroshima or U.S. foreign policy. (H, TR)
http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.cgi?path= 3009874075652
WWII: The Pacific by Marilyn Fenichel, Discovery Education. This lesson allows students to study WWII in depth and engages them in analysis and debate on whether the use of nuclear bombs was the best way to end the war. (H) http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/ worldwarII/
10 20th anniversary of Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This act required payment of $20,000 and an apology to approximately 60,000 Japanese held in U.S. internment camps.
Journal to Topaz, a Literature based Approach; Building Awareness of the Japanese American Wartime Experience; Understanding the Bill of Rights and the Japanese American Internment Experience by Rosalyn Tonai, Chizu Iiyama and Bess Ricketts. These lessons put students in the role of the Japanese Americans in order for them to "experience" what life was like in the camps. They will also think about how the Bill of Rights and civil liberties should have played a role for these individuals. (E, M, H) http://bss.sfsu.edu/internment/lessonplans.html
Children of the Camps: Internment History by PBS. This documentary captures the experiences of six Americans of Japanese ancestry who were confined as innocent children to internment camps by the U.S. government during World War II. A teacher’s guide is available through distribution@asianamericanmedia.org. (E, M, H) http://www.pbs.org/childofcamp/
12 20th anniversary of the death of Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 to 1988)
Street to Studio: The art of Jean-Michel Basquiat by the Brooklyn Museum of Art. This web site examines his works of art in depth. (E, M, H) http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/basquiat/street-to-studio/
International Youth Day, created by the UN, is designed to draw attention to cultural and legal issues surrounding youth. http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm
Youth Media Info Center by the FreeChild Project. One way for students to participate in International Youth Day is to use media to examine their world and the issues they face and to tell their own stories. This website provides a list of youth media organizations, resources and publishers to support your students' projects. (E, M, H) http://www.freechild.org/youthmedia.htm
22 40th anniversary of the 1968 Democratic National Convention riots. Anti-Vietnam war protesters clash with police who tried to prevent them from reaching the convention site.
Rebels with a Cause: A feature documentary about the hopes, rebellions and repression of the 1960s as told by members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) (M, H). http://www.sdsrebels.com/
29 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
An Unnatural Disaster: A Critical Guide for Addressing the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the Classroom by NYCoRE. Created by teachers immediately after the hurricane, An Unnatural Disaster is a series of resources and lesson ideas on issues such as race, class and inequality. (M, H) http://www.nycore.org/katrina.html
Teaching the Levees by Teachers College, Columbia University. Teaching the Levees takes Spike Lee’s documentary When the Levees Broke, as impetus, touchstone and text for democratic dialogues in schools. This curriculum aims to stimulate dialogue about these tough issues by posing the questions: Who are we as a country? What kind of country do we want to be? (M, H) http://www.teachingthelevees.org/
Got Music? by Finding our Folk. This is an 8-week music-learning experience to educate, inspire and engage youth in the history, music and culture of New Orleans. This curriculum gives youth the opportunity to develop leadership skills; become familiar with various musical instruments and techniques; learn the history of musical greats and develop the capacity to give back to their communities as activists dedicated to social justice. (M, H) http://www.findingourfolk.org. Click on the "Curriculum" link at the top. To order the curriculum, scroll to the bottom of that page to find the email address of the contact person.
30 Fred Hampton, Sr. born (1948 to 1969). Hampton, a leader of the Black Panther Party in Chicago, was murdered in his apartment during a police raid.
The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971). This film documents the Chicago police murder of Fred Hampton. The New York Times reviews the film and provides a link to where it can be purchased. It is also available on YouTube. (H) http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/155135/The-Murder-of-Fred-Hampton/overview
SEPTEMBER
(Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 Hispanic Heritage Month)
1 Labor Day
By the Numbers at Inequality.org. This website hosts extensive data, graphs and information about the growing economic gaps in America with specific statistics about wealth, income and wages. A "wealth" of information for math and social studies teachers to provide students with the data they need to have informed discussions about inequality and its impact on democracy and society. (M, H) http://www.demos.org/inequality/numbers.cfm
Who Built America: Working People and the Nation's History by the American Social History Project. A two-volume textbook examining the history of the United States from the perspective of working people with a collection of videos that accompanies it. (M, H) http://www.ashp.cuny.edu/wba.html
40 Books about Labor compiled by The Cooperative Children's Book Center. A bibliography of 40 children's books about labor. (E, M) http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/books/detailListBooks.asp?idBookLists=104
4 Richard Wright born (1908 to 1960)
Richard Wright and the Library Card by William Miller, illus. by Gregory Christie. A wonderfully illustrated picture book that describes Richard Wright's attempt to get access to all-white libraries. (E) Available at http://www.amazon.com
12 50th anniversary of a U.S. Supreme Court decision forcing Arkansas schools to desegregate. Following a tense year in which the Little Rock school system was forced to accept nine African American students, local school officials appealed to the Supreme Court for relief from having to enforce Brown v. Board of Education. In Cooper v. Aaron, the U.S. Supreme court decision unanimously affirmed that local school officials were bound by federal court orders to desegregate.
Little Rock 9 Integration 0? by AT&T Education Knowledge Network Explorer. Students are placed into three different groups, each group taking a different role: historians, social scientists and news reporters. With these roles students analyze this Supreme Court case, desegregation and integration. Students also make connections to local events happening in their communities. (H) http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/BHM/little_rock/intro.html
A School Year Like No Other by Bill Bigelow, Rethinking Schools. Lesson plan using Fighting Back: 1957-1962, episode two of the PBS series Eyes on the Prize. Provides talking points and a writing activity. (H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/18_03/year183.shtml
Warriors Don't Cry: Brown Comes to Little Rock by Linda Christiansen, Rethinking Schools. A tea party where students take on the roles of individuals involved in the desegregation of Central High. (M, H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/18_03/warr183.shtml
15 First day of Hispanic Heritage Month
The ABC's of Teaching about Latino Heritage Month by Teaching Tolerance. A compilation of essays, lessons, videos and activities to help students gain a deeper understanding of past and present struggles for Latino civil rights. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=709
¡Viva la Causa! 500 Years of Chicano History by the Southwest Organizing Project and Collision Course Video Productions. Based on the book 500 Years of Chicano History in Pictures edited by Elizabeth Martínez, this two part video in English offers a compelling introduction to the history of Mexican American people. (M, H) http://www.highlandercenter.org/r-b-videos.asp
20 Upton Sinclair born (1878 to 1968)
"Raking Muck," from Freedom: A History of Us. Video series based on Joy Hakim's History of Us. Includes images, links and excerpts from the writings of muckrakers like Sinclair. (M) Webisode: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/web10/segment5.html. Resources: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/teachers/pdfs/segment10-5.pdf
23 40th anniversary of the founding of the Young Lords. On September 23, 1968, Jose “Cha-Cha” Jimenez reorganized the Young Lords gang in Chicago into a political human rights movement, later to be known as the Young Lords Organization. The Puerto Rican group fought for economic, racial and social justice in Chicago, New York and other urban areas.
¡Palante, Siempre Palante! The Young Lords by Iris Morales. Documentary and book distributed by The Latino/a Education Network Service (LENS). This documentary features interviews with former members and footage from their organizing activities. The website provides information about the Young Lords and links for further resources. (H) http://palante.org/
OCTOBER
(GLTB History Month)
1 Eid al-Fitr, celebration of the end of Ramadan. Begins at sundown.
BBC Schools: Guide to Ramadan. This site includes basic information about Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, links to lesson plans intended to help students understand beliefs and practices of Muslim people. A lesson on Islamic art is included here. Follow links to "BBC Food" for information on Eid al-Fitr around the globe. (E, M, H) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/religion/islam/ramadan.shtml
60th anniversary of California Supreme Court lifting the state’s ban on interracial marriage.
Multiethnic Education Program by iPride. This site provides educators and families culturally competent resources and strategies for related to multiracial, multiethnic, transracially adopted youth including films and children’s books recommendations. (E, M, H, TR) http://www.multiethniceducation.org/index.html
2 40th anniversary of the Tlatelolco Massacre, in which Mexican students demonstrating for democratic reforms were shot by police.
The Tlatelolco Massacre, U.S. documents on Mexico and the events of 1968 by Kate Doyle. Although not a formal lesson plan, this website presents a comprehensive collection of texts that can be used for informational purposes or in analysis of primary and secondary sources. Some materials are available in Spanish. (H) http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB99/
5 World Teachers' Day. Created by the United Nations, it is celebrated in more than 100 countries.
Stop the Tests Day! The Trinational Coalition links teachers' unions in the U.S., Mexico and Canada and hosts an annual conference. They are calling for the 2008 World Teachers' Day to be a "Stop the Tests Day!" in recognition of the harmful and racist impact of high stakes testing. (TR) http://www.trinationalcoalition.org/english/index.html
110th anniversary of the Battle of Sugar Point, the last major battle fought between the Native Americans (Ojibwe) and the United States Army.
American Indians Prefer to Reflect on Their Own History by Tom Robertson/Minnesota Public Radio. An article with audio and a slideshow that features the reflections of Peter Strong, an Ojibwe elder from the Red Lake Indian Reservation. A 1950 interview with Strong about the Battle of Sugar Point is also available. (E, M, H) http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/06/redlakesesquicentennial/
Anishinabe - Ojibwe - Chippewa: Culture of an Indian Nation by EdSITEment, National Endowment for the Humanities. A unit consisting of three lesson plans intended to help students learn about diversity within Native tribes, specifically the Anishinabe Nation, also known as Ojibwe or Chippewa. Related external links provide supplementary materials for teaching about past and present language and cultural practices. (E, M) http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=369
11 National Coming Out Day
The Safe Schools Coalition. An incredible wealth of educator resources for for supporting LGTB youth and creating safer school environments. Explore the entire site, or use the link for specific resources on coming out. (E, M, H) http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org/RG-coming_out.html
12 Día de la Raza or Day of la Raza
RACE: A Teacher's Guide, American Anthropological Association. Provides background information and a series of lessons that examine race from biological, historical and cultural perspectives. Curricular content is aligned with national and select state standards in the areas of science and social studies. (M, H) http://www.understandingrace.org/resources/for_teachers.html
10th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, a college student murdered for being openly gay.
"Bias Crime, Hatred, and Extremism" section and "Bullying, Harassment, and School-Based violence" section of the Safe Schools Coalition website. A variety of resources including handouts, videos, lessons and other materials for addressing discrimination ranging from bullying to extremism. (M, H) http://www.safeschoolscoalition.org. Follow links to both sections.
13 Indigenous People's Day (Columbus Day observed)
Voices of A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn. In honor of Indigenous People's Day, on this site educators can find resources for staging performances from A People’s History. At time of publication, this website was not yet available to the public. (E, M, H) http://www.peopleshistory.us
Rethinking Columbus, edited by Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson, Rethinking Schools. 90+ lessons, interviews, poems, etc. that re-evaluate the myth of Columbus and issues of indigenous people. (E, M, H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/columbus/columbus.shtml
Disability History Week begins
The ABC's of Disability Rights by Teaching Tolerance. This site provides lessons and resources that will introduce students and teachers to the history of the disability rights movement and to the powerful ideals and changes it has brought to the country. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=872
15 Fela Kuti born (1938 to 1997)
Fela Project, Kalakuta Projects. Although centered around an exhibit that has since passed, biographical information, photographs, quotes and related resource links about Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the legendary Nigerian Afrobeat musician and human rights activist, can be found through this link. (E, M, H) http://www.felaproject.net/
Songs of Fela Kuti, by Oxfam Education. This lesson plan teaches students about Afrobeat, a musical style that Kuti created, and about the way he used music as a form of political protest. (M, H) http://www.oxfam.org.uk/education/resources/global_music_lesson_plans/14_16/files/lesson3_songs_of_fela_kuti.pdf
16 40th anniversary of the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute
Democracy Now! Visits Olympics Past by Democracy Now! A 2002 broadcast of Democracy Now! features an interview with John Carlos and Tommie Smith, the two medalists who gave a Black Power Salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. (M, H) http://www.democracynow.org/2002/2/15/democracy_now_visits_olympics_past_during
17 10th anniversary of demonstrations at Nike store in Oregon to protest inhumane working conditions.
Stop Nike Sweatshops Campaign by Educating for Justice. This website includes articles, campaigns, statistics, etc. to educate and take action against sweatshops, particularly Nike. (M, H) http://www.educatingforjustice.org/stopnikesweatshops.htm
Sweatshop Accounting by Rethinking Schools. Lesson on economic justice in relation to sweatshop labor. Other helpful lessons on sweatshop labor included as well. (M, H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/19_01/swea191.shtml
Rethinking Globalization by Bill Bigelow, Rethinking Schools. Includes a wealth of resources for teaching about sweatshops. Website links to the table of contents, through which you can access a description of the activities in the book. (E, M, H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/rg/index.shtml
22 National day of protest to stop police brutality. The October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and the Criminalization of a Generation has been mobilizing annually to expose the epidemic of police brutality. The coalition asks that we wear black on this day to honor those whose lives have been stolen by police brutality. (TR) http://www.october22.org/
Radical Math. Radical Math offers a variety of resources on topics such as juvenile justice and racial profiling that students can use to explore the issues of policing and the criminal justice system. Browse resources by type and follow the "curriculum" link to find specific lesson plans. (M, H) http://www.radicalmath.org
Criminalizing our Classrooms by the New York Civil Liberties Union. The NYCLU website includes a report called Criminalizing Our Classrooms that exposes the school to prison pipeline. It also includes a "Know Your Rights" palm card and a downloadable organizing kit for addressing over-policing in schools. While focused on NYC, the tools can be adapted for use in any community. (H) http://www.nyclu.org/policinginschools
Youth Camera Action: School to Prison Pipeline by the NYCLU, Future of Tomorrow, Make the Road New York and Youth on the Move. The New York Civil Liberties Union partnered with youth from three community organizations to produce three short documentaries on student experiences with the over-policing of New York City schools and the school to prison pipeline. (M, H) http://www.nyclu.org/yca
24 70th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act going into effect. The FLSA established a national minimum wage, overtime and prohibited most child labor.
Waging a Living by PBS. Students will become familiar with the difference between "minimum wage" and "living wage" through classroom discussions and media exposure. (H) http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2006/wagingaliving/for.html
28 Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights
IndyKids Issue 12, Nov/Dec 2007 by IndyKids. This issue includes short essays by two girls from India about the holiday. (E, M) http://www.indykids.net/issues/pdf/indykids_iss12.pdf
31 30th anniversary of the The Pregnancy Discrimination Act. This act prohibits employers from discriminating against workers based on pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
Activity: Many older women lost jobs due to pregnancy or marriage. Have students talk to their mothers, grandmothers or other older female relatives to find out their experiences with pregnancy, marriage and employment prior to the 1980s. (E, M, H)
Halloween
What Do Halloween Costumes Say? by Teaching Tolerance. A variety of activities to raise awareness about the potential of stereotyping in Halloween costumes. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=712
NOVEMBER
(Native American Heritage Month)
1 First day of Native American Heritage Month
American Indians in Children's Literature Blog: Critical Perspectives and Discussion of American Indians in Children's Books, The School Curriculum, Popular Culture, and Society-at-Large by Debbie Reese. Debbie Reese's blog is one of the finest collections of resources and critical perspectives on teaching about Native Americans. (E, M, H, TR) http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
The Cradleboard Teaching Project by Nihewan Foundation for American Indian Education. The Cradleboard Teaching Project offers a variety of information on a range of topics related to indigenous peoples of the Americas. Online quiz material is available for students or teachers. Links to sites with additional lesson plans are imbedded within the articles. (E, M, H) http://www.cradleboard.org
The ABC's of Native American Heritage Month by Teaching Tolerance. Teaching Tolerance offers a wealth of activity ideas tied to Thanksgiving, Native mascots and indigenous people's proud heritage of resistance. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=750
Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Día de Los Muertos by Elizabeth Sorace. Students learn about Día de Los Muertos through the use of technology, including Webquest and Powerpoint, as well as reading and writing. (H) http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/soracee324200533253
4 Election Day
It Ain't Just About a Vote: Defining Democracy for Movement Building by Project South. This toolkit asks students to take a broader look at democracy and citizenship. Each exercise was created specifically to begin conversations on the larger, longer-term view of democracy, struggle and movement building. (M, H) http://www.projectsouth.org/pages/Resources/Toolkits/toolkits_democracy.htm
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow by PBS. Simulates the experience of voting during the Jim Crow era and draws a comparison between the experience of voting then and voting today. Follow the "For Teachers" link for specific lesson plans and activities, including one entitled the "Geography of Jim Crow," which requires students to analyze statistics from the census in order to draw conclusions about race in the United States. (M, H) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/tools.html
9 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass). This is an anti-Jewish pogrom that marks the beginning of the campaign of genocide against the Jews.
The Struggle to Prevent Genocide in the Post-Holocaust Era by the Anti-Defamation League at ADL Curriculum Connections. These four secondary level lessons explore what the world has done to achieve the ideal of "never again" since the Holocaust. They examine why these efforts have fallen short of averting atrocities in places such as Rwanda and the Sudan and inspire students to take action in response to genocide. (H) http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/spring_2005/
11 90th anniversary of Armistice Day (Veterans Day)
Veterans for Peace Speakers Bureau. The Bueau provides knowledgable speakers who share first-hand information about military service and war. Available to come to classrooms nationwide, they present facts and views that are necessary for a young person to consider in making an informed choice about military service. (E, M, H) http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Speakers_List.vp.html
Do-It-Yourself Ribbon Stickers by The Pinky Show. The Pinky Show is an animated online TV show featuring a cat named Pinky. This one and a half minute episode discusses how to make an alternative to the yellow "support our troops" ribbons. (E, M, H) http://www.pinkyshow.org/archives/episodes/060322/
20 40th anniversary of American Indian Movement's occupation of Alcatraz Island to demand it be returned to Native people.
Alcatraz is not an Island documentary and lesson plans by PBS. The PBS website provides lesson plans and resources for teaching about the American Indian Movement. (M, H) http://www.pbs.org/itvs/alcatrazisnotanisland/educators.html
Mexico Revolution Day. A day to commemorate the revolt of people against poverty and dictatorship.
Anatomy of a Movement: The Zapatistas by Project South. This fast-paced curriculum helps students and activists study a movement from the Global South and apply the lessons learned to their own struggles. (H) http://www.projectsouth.org/pages/Resources/Toolkits/toolkits_aoam.htm
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Youth and the Prison Industrial Complex by FIERCE. This flow chart outlines the life experiences and institutional factors that place trans youth of color within the prison industrial complex. (M, H) http://www.edliberation.org/resources/records/transgender-youth-and-the-prison-industrial-complex/view
27 Thanksgiving/Harvest Feast Day
Oyate. Oyate is a Native American organization that lists recommended children's books on Native American history and culture. The website features a list of Thanksgiving books to use and ones to avoid. (E, M, H) http://www.oyate.org/catalog/index.html
Rethinking Columbus by Bill Bigelow and Bob Peterson, Rethinking Schools. The second edition features a number of resources for teaching a critical perspective on Thanksgiving. (E, M, H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/columbus/columbus.shtml
30th anniversary of the assassination of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official of a major city. Also murdered was Mayor George Moscone, a supporter of gay rights. That evening, tens of thousands of people held a candlelight march from San Francisco’s Castro District to City Hall. The memorial march has since been repeated every year on that date.
The Harvey Milk Story by Kari Krakow and David Gardner. A children's book about Harvey Milk that can be used to spark discussions with younger children around topics of identity, pride, courage, activism and the broader concepts of freedom and representation in the United States. (E) http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/booklink/record/1546.html
28 Buy Nothing Day Held the day after Thanksgiving, Buy Nothing Day represents a protest against consumerism.
Adbusters' Media Empowerment Kit. Designed to help students critically challenge media consumer culture and their role in it. Website has link to order curriculum, but also has several free lesson downloads. (H) http://www.adbusters.org/cultureshop/mediakit
The Story of Stuff by Annie Leonard. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute free downloadable video that explores consumption and exposes the connections between different environmental and social issues, while providing suggestions for action. (E, M, H) http://www.storyofstuff.com/
DECEMBER
1 World AIDS Day
Radical Math. Radical Math offers a variety of lessons, articles, graphs and links that provide students with statistics and tools to better understand the impact of AIDS. (M, H) http://www.radicalmath.org Enter "AIDS'' in the search engine.
7 Eid ul-Adha, Islamic Festival of Sacrifice, begins at sundown
Five Must-Reads for the Holiday Season by Teaching Tolerance. Activities and issues educators should consider during the holiday season, from addressing religion in schools to confronting holiday stereotypes. (TR) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=882
10 60th anniversary of UN General Assembly adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Human Rights Day)
Human Rights Education Lessons (in Spanish) by Monisha Bajaj, Teachers College. This guide has 20 lessons originally used in the Dominican Republic to focus on human rights issues in the country like racism, police abuse, sexism, child labor, etc. These can be adapted for use in other contexts. (E, M, H) http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001374/137492so.pdf
Training and Human Rights Education by Amnesty International. This site offers a selection of books with lesson guides about human rights issues and global conflicts. (H) http://www.amnestyusa.org/what-you-can-do/educate/page.do?id=1102117&n1=4&n2=79
Human Rights by Any Means Necessary: Human Rights or Civil Rights by the Martin Luther King Education and Research Institute. This lesson, part of a larger unit, asks students to explore the ways in which the African American freedom struggle, better known as the Civil Rights Movement, was part of a global movement for human rights in the 20th century. (H) http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/liberation_curriculum/lesson_plans/index.htm
16 The Day of Reconciliation is a public annual holiday in South Africa. The intention is to foster reconciliation between different racial groups.
The Apartheid Museum. The Apartheid Museum in South Africa hosts an online exhibition with educational resources for teaching about the history and legacy of Apartheid. (M, H) http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/
26 First day of Kwanzaa (Umoja = Unity)
The Official Kwanzaa Website maintained by Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa. This website provides information about the symbols, values and rituals of Kwanzaa. (E, M, H) http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml
JANUARY 2009
2 40th anniversary of the Black Panther Party's initiation of their Free Breakfast for School Children Program. The Black Panther Party developed a series of social programs for low-income black communities. The first was the Free Breakfast for Children Program, which expanded across the country feeding thousands of school children daily. The program began in early January, but the exact date is unknown.
The Black Panther Party 10 Point Platform & Program. This site includes a list of the points in the platform as well as many links to additional information about the Panthers. (M, H) http://www.itsabouttimebpp.com/home/bpp_program_platform.html
6 20th anniversary of the introduction of reparations bill H.R. 40 to Congress. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) presented to the House of Representatives the first formal attempt to obtain reparations to compensate African Americans for slavery since Reconstruction.
Reparations for Slavery? by The Constitutional Rights Foundation. In this lesson, students explore the pros and cons of paying reparations for slavery. (H) http://www.crf-usa.org/ brown50th/reparation_guide.htm
19 King Day Observed
Putting the Movement Back Into Civil Rights Teaching by Teaching for Change and PRRAC. The book includes interactive and interdisciplinary lessons, readings, writings, photographs, graphics and interviews, with sections on education, labor, citizenship, culture and reflections on teaching about the Civil Rights Movement. (E, M, H) http://www.civilrightsteaching.org.
The ABC's of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy by Teaching Tolerance. This site provides lessons and resources for addressing Dr. King and his dream, including a "do's and don't's" guide for MLK day. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=904
Liberation Curriculum by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute. Lesson plans, primary resources and articles based on the Martin Luther King archives at Stanford University. (H) http://www.stanford.edu/group/King/liberation_curriculum/ resources/
26 Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year)
Lunar New Year books reviewed by The Asian American Curriculum Project. A review of children's books from several Asian cultures about the Lunar New Year. (E) http://www.asianamericanbooks.com/lny_bks.htm
31 Jackie Robinson born (1910 to 1972)
Teaching With Documents: Beyond the Playing Field - Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Advocate by The National Archives. Aside from his legend as a ball player, Jackie Robinson was also an active civil rights activist. This website emphasizes his role as an activist through the use of primary documents with lesson resources to go with them. (H) http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/jackie-robinson/
FEBRUARY
(Black History Month)
1 First day of Black History Month
The African American Experience and Issues of Race and Racism in U.S. Schools compiled by Working to Improve Schools and Education (WISE). A list of links to a tremendous amount of resources useful in teaching about African American schooling experiences. (E, M, H) http://www.ithaca.edu/wise/topics/race_african_american.htm
African American Odyssey by Library of Congress. Comprehensive online collection of materials and primary resources related to the African-American experience from the Library of Congress. (E, M, H) http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aointro.html
U.S. History-African American: Lesson Plans by EdSITEment. Multiple lesson plans for multiple grade levels on African American History. (E, M, H) http://edsitement.neh.gov/tab_lesson.asp?subjectArea=3&subcategory=18
4 10th anniversary of the shooting of Amadou Diallo
Every Mother's Son by P.O.V. A film that presents three primary examples of police brutality including Diallo, and what is being done about it. The lesson accompanying the video addresses what students can do to take action. (H) http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/everymothersson/for.html
110th anniversary of the start of the conflict that resulted in the Philippine-American War
A Century of Challenge and Change: The Filipino American Story by The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American American Program. This unit bridges the historical and cultural experiences of Filipino Americans within a global context, highlighting ethnic pride, cultural connections, critical thinking and community action. (E, M, H) http://www.filam.si.edu/curriculum/
A People's History of American Empire by Howard Zinn, Mike Konopacki and Paul Buhle. This book is an adaptation of A People's History of the United States told in graphic novel form. It focuses on the story of America in the world and includes a chapter on the war in the Philippines. (M, H) http://www.americanempireproject.com/index.asp
9 Freedom To Marry Week, Feb. 9 to 15
Kicking the Apartheid Habit by The Pinky Show. The Pinky Show is an animated online TV show featuring a cat named Pinky. This episode discusses how many individuals chose not to participate in racial segregation yet continue to benefit from heterosexual privileges such as marriage. (E, M, H) http://www.pinkyshow.org/archives/episodes/071222/
14 Valentine's Day
Fair Trade in the Classroom by Global Exchange. Through this Valentine unit, students learn about child labor and how it's used by big chocolate companies. Students take social action by telling these companies that they should sell Fair Trade products instead, products that do NOT use child labor. (E, M) http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/fairtradeintheclassroom.html
CACAO: Children Against Chocolate Aided Oppression by Daniel Hildreth and Neil Rathan. This blog chronicles the journey of two 5th grade classes as they took social action against the chocolate industry's use of child labor. The site provides resources and ideas for conducting a similar campaign. (E) http://cacoa34.blogspot.com/
Chocolate's Bittersweet Economy by Christian Parenti, Fortune Magazine. Article from Fortune Magazine that includes a photographic slideshow explaining the chocolate industry's reliance on child labor. (H) http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/24/news/international/chocolate_bittersweet.fortune/index.htm
16 Presidents' Day
Write the Truth by Bob Peterson, Rethinking Schools. Peterson describes an inquiry project in which his 5th graders investigated which U.S. Presidents owned slaves and wrote letters to textbook companies to demand that this information be included. (E, M) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/16_04/Writ164.shtml
40th anniversary of the My Lai Massacre. The My Lai Massacre was the mass murder of hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, the majority of them women and children, conducted by U.S. Army.
Sir No Sir! by David Zeiger, Documentary about the GI antiwar movement. Highlights the massacre as a turning point in desertions and anti-war actions in Vietnam. (H) http://www.sirnosir.com
24 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that ensures First Amendment rights to teachers and students in schools. On February 24, 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of three public school students who wore an armband to school to protest the Vietnam War.
School of Unity and Liberation Resources and Manuals. SOUL has developed five different manuals to support youth and community organizations around the country in running their own political education programs. (M, H) http://www.schoolofunityandliberation.org/soul_sec/ resources/re-free_training.html
26 70th anniversary of Eleanor Roosevelt resigning from Daughters of American Revolution in protest of the organization not allowing Marian Anderson, an African American singer, to perform at Constitution Hall.
White Privilege and Anti-racism resources compiled by EdChange. These articles can be used by teachers, particularly White teachers, as tools for reflection and action on anti-racism organizing. (TR) http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/sites/white.html
The ABC’s of Culture in the Classroom by Teaching Tolerance. Provides teachers with videos and articles to reflect on their own racial identity and how that influences their behavior in the classroom. Touches upon stereotypes, culturally relevant curriculum, honoring home language and more. (TR) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=915
Also see http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=713
MARCH
(Women's History Month)
1 First day of Women's History Month
Gender Issues by Ithaca College WISE. List of web links, bibliography and films related to gender issues. (H, TR) http://www.ithaca.edu/wise/topics/gender.htm
Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600 to 2000. Women and Social Movements website offers documents and lesson plans for teaching American History. (M, H)
http://womhist.alexanderstreet.com/teacher/teacherindex.htm
9 50th anniversary of A Raisin in the Sun's Broadway debut. On this date in 1959 A Raisin in the Sun became the first Broadway play written by a Black woman.
A Raisin in the Sun: A Unit Plan by Mary B. Collins. This unit has been designed to develop students' reading, writing, thinking, and language skills through exercises and activities related to A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. It includes eighteen lessons, supported by extra resource materials. (H) http://www.bmiedserv.com/pdf/RaisinintheSun.pdf
15 140th anniversary of the formation of the National Women's Suffrage Association
Not For Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony by Ken Burns and Paul Barnes. This film shows the struggle and development of women's rights and highlights Stanton and Anthony as two major figures in this movement. (E, M, H) http://www.pbs.org/stantonanthony/
20 6th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war
Camouflaged: Investigating How the U.S. Military Affects You and Your Community by NYCoRE. This resource collection of interdisciplinary lesson plans is a tool for educators to help students explore the role of the military in their lives and in their communities. (M, H) http://www.nycore.org/camo.html
PeaceGAMES by Christine Ahn, Linda Burnham, Maryam Roberts at the Women of Color Resource Center. An education and organizing resource that uses popular education methodologies and a multi-media approach to encourage reflection, discussion and action on the issue of U.S. militarism and its impact on women, both in the US and globally. (H) http://www.coloredgirls.org. Look for links for PeaceGAMES to download sample curricula.
21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In Sharpeville, South Africa on March 21, 1960, police killed 69 people who were demonstrating peacefully against Apartheid. In 1966, the day was designated by the United Nations as a day to commemorate efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. More info: http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/racial/
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. This website provides fact-sheets, activities and lessons to raise awareness about Arab-American communities, anti-Arab discrimination, Islam and more. (E, M, H) http://www.adc.org/index.php?id=203
22 World Day for Water
Global Water Supply School Curriculum. Full curricula and mini-units that illuminate the importance of water, as well as the lack of it around the world. (E, M, H) http://www.water.org/waterpartners.aspx?pgID=920
Diary of Jay-Z: Water for life by UN Works for People and the Planet. This DVD explores the music mogul's journey across Africa and the reality of the water crisis. Includes a mini-unit on the water crisis. (H) http://www.un.org/works/Sub4.asp?id=1. Includes links to video as well as educational resources.
Every Drop Counts: Water Conservation Project by Amina Chaudhri. This project combines math, writing, research and environmental science to provide students with an opportunity to quantify how much water they use in their daily lives and implement strategies to reduce the waste. (E, M) http://www.edliberation.org/resources/records/every-drop-counts-water-conservation-project/view
24 20th anniversary of Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska
Energy Debate: Oil, Nuclear & the Alternatives by Alan Shapiro at Teachablemoment.org. This lesson plan provides an overview of interlocking energy issues: the growing demand for oil and its effect on U.S. foreign policy; global warming and the need to reduce oil consumption; and the renewed push for nuclear energy and alternative energy sources. (M, H) http://www.teachablemoment.org/high/energy.html. Explore the whole website; it has lesson plans on a plethora of current issues.
28 30th anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. The most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power industry.
Nuclear Weapons and Related Issues from Teachablemoment.org. This website of lesson plans includes a series of lessons about nuclear weapons and power. (M, H) http://www.teachablemoment.org/high.html#nuclear. Several document based units are provided that could be substituted for more traditional test prep readings.
31 César Chávez Day
Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. A variety of lessons and other resources that focus on service-learning programs based on Chávez's values and vision. (E, M, H) http://www.cesarechavezfoundation.org. Follow links for Educational Resources as well as Youth Action.
California Department of Education. A biography as well as a curriculum on César Chávez are listed for each grade. (E, M, H) http://chavez.cde.ca.gov/
APRIL
4 Ching Ming Festival, also known as "Remembrance of Ancestors Day."
Honoring Our Ancestors edited by Harriet Rohmer. This book brings together fourteen artists from different communities to honor the ancestors who touched their lives. (E) http://www.childrensbookpress.org/ob/honor.html
9 40th anniversary of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) protests at Harvard University. SDS members occupied University Hall and were evicted by police. Thirty-seven were injured and 200 arrested.
SDS Revolts. Links to resources from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and related groups and activities. (H) http://www.sds-1960s.org/
15 A. Philip Randolph born (1889 to 1979)
Online Exhibit by the George Meany Memorial Archives. This online exhibit includes photographs, articles, a bibliography and classroom activities. (H) http://www.georgemeany.org/archives/apr.html
A. Philip Randolph by Oakham School. This biography of Randolph can be used as a handout for students. (H) http://www.edliberation.org/resources/records/a-philip-randolph
17 National Day of Silence in support of LGBT youth
The Silencing Effect of Anti-LGBT Name Calling by GLSEN. Students reflect on the silencing power of harassment and censorship. Includes a social, historical and political look at the context of anti-LGBT words and phrases. (M, H) http://www.dayofsilence.org/downloads/r116.pdf
20 TV Turnoff Week begins
Turn Off TV…Turn on the Possibilities by Pat Degracia from Kitsap County Health District. Describes the significance of TV Turnoff Day. This includes a log that students and families can use to report how many hours of television they watched during this week compared to a normal week. (E, M, H) http://depts.washington.edu/nwmedia/sections/kitsap/training_docs/tv_turnoff_package.pdf
Kill Your TV by Ron Kaufman. A variety of links providing a critical lens on the role of television and the television industry on different aspects of our culture. (M, H) http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/
10th anniversary of Columbine school shooting
Bowling for Columbine by Michael Moore. Teacher's guide. (H) http://www.bowlingforcolumbine.com/library/teachers/index.php
70th anniversary of Billie Holiday recording Strange Fruit
Strange Fruit by Joel Katz. This documentary explores the history and legacy of the Billie Holiday classic. The film examines lynching, the interplay of race, labor and the left, and popular culture as forces that gave rise to the Civil Rights Movement. This link gives an overview of the documentary and the origin of Strange Fruit. (M, H) http://www.newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0136&s=Strange+Fruit
Billy Holiday's Song Strange Fruit from TeacherVision. Through a critical, musical lens using Billy Holiday's song Strange Fruit, students discuss the lyrics that focus on hate crimes and lynching. (H) http://www.teachervision.fen.com/civil-rights/lesson-plan/4839.html
21 Holocaust Remembrance Day
Tribute to Giovanni Palatucci and Righteous Heroes of the Holocaust by the Anti-Defamation League. This lesson plan explores the life of Giovanni Palatucci, a Holocaust rescuer, and others whose acts of moral courage saved thousands of lives. (M, H) http://www.adl.org/education/curriculum_connections/ palatucci/
Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. This online exhibit provides extensive resources, photographs, and more to learn about the Nazis' persecution of homosexuals. (M, H) http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/homosexuals_02/
22 Earth Day
Environmental Justice, Environmental Racism. A compilation of links on environmental justice issues, background, resources, policies and organizations. (M, H) http://www.ejnet.org/ej/
Earth Day Educators' Network. Over 300 lessons on topics such as school greening, sustainability, climate and more. (E, M, H) http://www.earthday.net/~earthday/node/12
Earth Café 2050. Earth Café 2050 is an interactive demonstration of Ecological Footprinting. The “ecological footprint” is a technique that quantifies the land resources required to support humans depending on their lifestyles. Using "menu driven" information, Earth Café 2050 calculates your footprint. (M, H) http://www.ithaca.edu/sustainability/outreach_earthcafe2050.php
24 Armenian Genocide Remembrance
Teacher's Guide for COBBLESTONE Armenian-Americans by Lucine Kasbarian. This teacher and classroom guide provides lessons, exercises and group activities to complement instruction about the Armenian genocide, genocide denial, social justice, ethnic preservation and ethnic identity. This guide accompanies the May 2000 edition of Cobblestone children's magazine. (E, M, H) http://www.edliberation.org/resources/records/teachers-guide-for-cobblestone-armenian-americans
IndyKids Issue 9, May/June 2007 by IndyKids. This issue contains an article about the Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide. It also has information about Armenian culture and includes a teacher's guide. (E, M) http://www.edliberation.org/resources/records/current-event-newspaper-for-kids-may-june-2007-issue
MAY
(Asian American Heritage Month)
1 First day of Asian American Heritage Month
Teaching About Asian Pacific Americans: Effective Activities, Strategies, and Assignments for Classrooms and Communities by Chen and Omatsu. A collection of lesson plans and activities. (E, M, H, TR) http://www.teachingforchange.org
Asian Americans: The Movement and the Moment by Louie and Omatsu. An accessible textbook that shares stories by members of Asian American social justice movements in the 1960's and 1970's. (M, H, TR) Available at http://www.amazon.com
Asian American Curriculum Projects. An extensive catalog of resources and services that underscore the importance and diversity of the Asian-American experience. (E, M, H) http://www.asianamericanbooks.com
May Day. Since the riots in Haymarket Square in Chicago in 1886, May Day has been celebrated as International Workers' Day. In recent years, many labor groups use the holiday to focus on immigrant rights issues.
No Human is Illegal, Ninguin Ser Humano es Ilegal, by NYCoRE. This curriculum focuses on recent immigration policy and student activism around anti-immigrant sentiment. Provides resources for supporting student activism. (M, H) http://www.nycore.org/immigrantrights.html
BRIDGE by National Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Popular education resources for immigrant and refugee community organizers. (H) http://www.nnirr.org/projects/projects_bridge.html
4 20th anniversary of student demonstrations in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. A student protest that began in Tiananmen Square, the symbolic central space of the nation, spread throughout much of the rest of China. Several weeks later, when the government sent in the army to end the demonstrations, the citizens of Beijing poured into the streets in support of the students.
The Tank Man from Frontline. This 90 minute video discusses the conflicts during this massacre and uncovers new issues and clashes between the government and the people. The video can be watched online. (H) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tankman/
The Tank Man: A Picture is Worth How Many (unfiltered) Words? from PBS. This lesson takes The Tank Man film further in the classroom and discusses the issues in depth. (H) http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/tankman/lesson.html
10 90th anniversary of the first of the Red Summer Riots. The Red Summer of 1919 was a term coined by James Welden Johnson to describe the months of May through October when race riots and lynchings initiated by white people ignited across the country.
The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow by PBS. This website includes a great deal of information about the legacy of slavery and the history of the Jim Crow era including a section on the Red Summer Riots. Includes activities to engage students in conducting oral histories. (M, H) http://www.pbs.org/wnet/jimcrow/stories_events_red.html
If We Must Die by Claude McKay. This is a poem Claude McKay wrote in 1919 in response to the riots. (H) http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/mckay.html
15 International Conscientious Objectors' Day
Conscientious Objection: Youth and Militarism by the American Friends Service Committee. The American Friends' website has a host of materials about militarism, alternatives to the military, counter recruitment and conscientious objection. (H) http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/default.htm
DMZ: A Guide to Taking Your School Back From the Military by The War Resisters League. DMZ is a comprehensive counter military recruitment organizing manual for youth activists and their allies. (H) http://www.warresisters.org/dmz
17 International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO)
Homophobiaday.org. This website provides information about the campaign to recognize the International Day Against Homophobia. Follow the links to "in Schools" and "teaching tools" to find resources, lesson plans and international organizations fighting homophobia. (E, M, H) http://www.homophobiaday.org
21 30th anniversary of White Night Riots in San Francisco. On May 21, 1979 Dan White was found guilty of manslaughter, rather than murder, of openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Many in the gay community were outraged by what they felt was a lenient sentence and the community protested in the Castro District.
Uncle Donald's Castro Street. Photos and personal account from participants in the White Night Riot. (M, H) http://thecastro.net/milk/whitenight.html
25 Memorial Day. Memorial Day commemorates U.S. men and women who died during military service.
Project YANO by The Project on Youth and Non-Military Opportunities. Celebrate Memorial day by helping students find alternatives to military service. Project YANO is a nonprofit community organization that provides young people with an alternative point of view about military enlistment. (H) http://projectyano.org/yano_resources.html
The Fight for Equal Rights: Black Soldiers in the Civil War by National Archives. Lesson plan using original documents about black soldiers during the Civil War. (H) http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/blacks-civil-war/
26 Australian National Sorry Day. Australia instituted National Sorry Day to acknowledge the wrongs that had been done to the "stolen generation" of indigenous Aboriginal families when the government removed their children to place them in national boarding schools.
Aboriginal education weblinks. This website provides a variety of resources to teach about Aboriginal issues, including many lesson plans for using the film Rabbit Proof Fence, which follows the story of two young children from the "stolen generation." (E, M, H) http://www.primaryschool.com.au/aboriginalresults.php?strand=Contemporary&grade=56
Brainwashing and Boarding Schools: Undoing the Shameful Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools. The United States also has a shameful history of Native American boarding schools. This website provides information and lesson plans to teach students about the legacy of cultural genocide attempted by the U.S. government. (E, M, H) http://www.kporterfield.com/aicttw/articles/boardingschool.html
27 Julia Ward Howe born (1819 to 1910)
Julia Ward Howe: Beyond the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Short article on peace activism of Julia Ward Howe. (E, M, H) http://womenshistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa013100d.htm
Mother's Day Proclamation -1870. Poem by Julia Ward Howe advocating that women from around the world organize to resolve conflicts peacefully. (E, M, H) http://womenshistory.about.com/od/howejwriting/a/mothers_day.htm
JUNE
(Gay and Lesbian Pride Month)
1 First Day of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) Curriculum. The website features tools and resources for teaching about gay issues, for addressing homophobia and for supporting students to start Gay/Straight Alliances. (E, M, H) http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/library/curriculum.html
4 90th anniversary of the U.S. Congress approving the 19th Amendment, which grants women the right to vote.
Teaching With Documents: Women's Suffrage and the 19th Amendment by the National Archives. This website provides several primary resources regarding the 19th amendment. (H) http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/woman-suffrage/
Cultural Change from EDSITEment. This lesson plan examines the arguments that were used to help women gain rights. (M, H) http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=283
6 Marian Wright Edelman born (1939). Marian Wright Edelman is the founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF).
I Can Make a Difference by Marian Wright Edelman. In this book, Edelman breaks down what "making a difference" means into 12 components, easily understandable by younger children, and then decorates each with meaningful poems, stories and memorable art. (E) http://books.google.com/books Enter "I can make a difference" for free preview of book and links for ordering it.
12 Anne Frank born (1929 to 1945)
Giving Beyond Measure—Diary of Anne Frank by Learning to Give. Lessons that compare and contrast the life of Anne Frank with our lives today. Much of the focus is on philanthropy, moral reasoning, human rights and social justice. (M) http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit16/lesson2.html
World Day Against Child Labor
Kids At Work by Dave Baker, IndyKids. This issue of Indykids features a two-page spread about child labor including references to two documentaries. (E, M) http://www.indykids.net/issues/pdf/indykids_iss15.pdf
All I Need, by Radiohead. This music video artfully juxtaposes the daily activities of two elementary aged children, a middle class American boy and a boy working in a shoe factory. (E, M, H) http://newsroom.mtv.com/2008/05/01/watch-radioheads-all-i-need-video-end-human-trafficking/ http://www.mtvexit.org/eng/index_flash.html
18 10th anniversary of J18, the Carnival Against Capitalism. Anti-globalization activists in 43 countries took to the streets to protest the G8 meeting held in Köln, Germany.
Transnational Capital Auction by Bill Bigelow from Rethinking Globalization, a Rethinking Schools Publication. Interactive activity in which students take on the role of leaders in less developed countries competing to attract foreign capital. (H) http://www.rethinkingschools.org/publication/rg/index.shtml
Raising a Ruckus Documentary and Lesson Plans by KQED. The purpose of these lessons is to use the film Raising a Ruckus to raise students' awareness about the power of activism. They focus on the complexity of globalization, the nature of protest, and the role of the media. (H) http://www.kqed.org/w/baywindow/ruckus/teachers.html
19 Juneteenth. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day Union General Gordon Granger and 2,000 federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to take possession of the state and enforce the emancipation of its slaves, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect.
Slavery and Indentured Servitude: A Digital History by Michael Ray. This six minute digital history of slavery includes the voices of slave survivors as well as pictures that depict the struggles and inequities that these individuals had to face. (E, M, H) http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/digital_stories.cfm. Click on "Slavery and Indentured Servitude."
"Been Here So Long": Selections from the WPA American Slave Narratives by the New Deal Network. Seventeen of the approximately 2,300 American Slave Narratives collected by the Federal Writers Project with lesson plans are hosted on this site. (H) http://newdeal.feri.org/asn/index.htm
Perspective on the Slave Narrative by EDSITEment. Lesson about the Narrative of William W. Brown, A Fugitve Slave (1847). The book is analyzed both as a work of literature and for its contribution to the abolitionist movement. (H) http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?ID=321
27 National HIV Testing Day. The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) started National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) in 1995. Every year on June 27, local organizations across the nation engage with communities to promote early diagnosis and HIV-testing. http://www.napwa.org/public/programs/nhtd.php
AVERT: Averting HIV and Aids. A variety of resources and information, including quizzes, handouts, videos and lessons for teachers and teens about living with and preventing HIV/AIDS. (M, H) http://www.avert.org/educate.htm
28 40th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The 1969 Stonewall uprising marked the beginning of the Gay Liberation Movement. Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar located in Greenwich Village that was the site of violent conflict between the LGBT community and the police for several days starting on June 28th, 1969.
Stonewall and Beyond: Gay and Lesbian Issues by Bay Breeze Educational Resources. This lesson provides students with first-hand experiences of the struggles of gay and lesbian people. (H) http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/lessons/stonewall/index.html
JULY
1 160th anniversary of the Amistad slave rebellion
The Amistad Comes to Life by Gary Hopkins, Education World. This link provides ideas to teach about this event in many subjects areas, including math, reading comprehension, writing, social studies, drama and art. Some activities are more meaningful than others. (E, M) http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson 043.shtml
4 Independence Day
The ABC's of 'We the People' by Teaching Tolerance. A variety of activities that allow students to explore how the rights guaranteed under the Declaration of Independence have been applied unevenly. (E, M, H) http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/activity.jsp?ar=864
