Lesson Plans for Every Classroom
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World Cup Soccer: Players, Countries and Cultures
Every four years, the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup excites and entertains young people and adults worldwide. The biggest global event in sports, the World Cup provides not only entertainment but also a great opening to learn about people around the world, the countries they represent, their stories and their culture. In this lesson, students will learn about the World Cup and its history, explore stories about players to reflect on countries and culture, and create their own World Cup album that includes player profiles, team badges, World Cup history and more.
Using Picture Books to Foster Belonging and Respect in the Classroom
The beginning of the school year can be exciting and positive for some children and for others, it can be scary or difficult. For all students, wanting to feel safe, included, and valued is universal. It is useful, especially at the beginning of the school year, to talk with students about what it means to feel respected, welcomed, accepted and supported in their classroom. This can also be discussed or revisited at other times during the school year when those concepts need to be reinforced or strengthened. In this lesson, students will explore what they need in order to make their classroom environment strong, positive and respectful for all by reading and discussing picture books that explore those themes.
Congressional Maps, Redistricting and Gerrymandering: What Does it All Mean?
Redistricting congressional maps and gerrymandering have been in the news a lot lately. What are congressional maps, and how does redistricting, when done for political purposes, lead to gerrymandering? While redistricting is a normal process for how voting maps are drawn, racial gerrymandering is often used as a political tool to change or manipulate election outcomes and to give an unfair advantage to a political party. In this lesson, students will learn about congressional maps, redistricting, and gerrymandering, explore the impact of gerrymandering on voters and elections, and analyze news headlines about recent gerrymandering efforts.
The Meaning of Pride: LGBTQIA+ History, Identity and Visibility
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, which celebrates the history, achievements, contributions and struggles of the LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual) community. Pride Month is celebrated in June to align with the Stonewall Inn uprising, which took place in June 1969 in NYC, and the following year was commemorated with a march called the “Christopher Street Liberation March.” In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued the first official Presidential proclamation of June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month,” and in 2011, President Barack Obama expanded the designation to "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.” This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of Pride Month, examine the meaning of “pride,” especially as it relates to marginalized communities, and consider ways that Pride Month can be commemorated in schools and communities.
Who Gets to Vote? The History and Erosion of Voting Rights
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was designed to prohibit racial discrimination in registration and voting nationwide. It was landmark legislation and passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives and Senate, and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 6, 1965. It has been seen as extremely successful in overcoming voting discrimination. However, over the years, there has been a chipping away–and some would argue a “gutting”--of the Voting Rights Act because of Supreme Court rulings and voter suppression efforts. In this lesson, students will explore the history of voting rights and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, examine how it has been eroded, and create an original piece of writing that expresses their perspective on voting rights.
Read, Learn, Celebrate: Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual celebration of Jewish history, people and culture that takes place every May. JAHM began as a weeklong celebration in 1980 when Congress passed a resolution that authorized the President to proclaim the week of April 21-28, 1980 as Jewish Heritage Week. In 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month. According to the American Jewish Committee, “Since 2007, Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have all issued proclamations for Jewish American Heritage Month, which celebrate Jewish Americans and encourage all Americans to learn more about Jewish heritage and contributions to the U.S.” In this lesson, students will learn about Jewish American Heritage Month and its historical context, read and discuss books about Jewish history, culture and achievements, and will consider ideas for celebrating JAHM in May and throughout the year.
Exploring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), also sometimes referred to as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. AAPIHM is a month-long commemoration of the history, culture, contributions and achievements of people who are Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander. This month was first acknowledged in 1979 when President Jimmy Carter declared a celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990 under President George H.W. Bush, Congress passed a law that made the commemoration the full month of May. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of AAPIHM, explore demographics about the AAPI community, and consider ways that AAPIHM should be commemorated in schools and communities.
Exploring National Arab American Heritage Month
April is National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). NAAHM is a month-long commemoration of the history, culture, contributions and achievements of Arab American people. Although celebrated by some states for years, the commemorative month was officially initiated in 2017 by two organizations, Arab America and the Arab America Foundation. In 2022, Congress, the U.S. The Department of State, and 45 state Governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. In 2023, President Joe Biden issued, for the first time, a proclamation that designated the annual commemoration of National Arab American Heritage Month. This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about the origins of NAAHM, gain knowledge about the Arab American community and consider ways that NAAHM should be commemorated in schools and communities.
ICE’s Actions and Our Constitutional Rights
In late 2025 and early 2026, ICE’s (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) “Operation Metro Surge” took place in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. The purpose of this “surge” was to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants as part of ICE's larger efforts nationwide. There was a great deal of media attention on what happened in Minnesota, not only because several people–including Renee Good and Alex Preti– were shot and killed by ICE agents, but there were ongoing allegations that what the federal government was doing violates people’s constitutional rights. In this lesson, students will explore and understand the First and Fourth amendments, connect those constitutional rights to the actions of ICE and reflect on the roles different people can play in challenging these actions.