The news cycle kept churning throughout summer of 2018. LGBTQ rights came under attack, the United States Supreme Court handed down important rulings, and thousands of immigrant children were separated from their families at the U.S. border. We produced articles and guidance surrounding all of these events, as well as other issues that influenced students, families and educators, and shared them via our rotating spotlight feature, The Moment.
Brush up on any editions of The Moment you may have missed this summer. And don't forget to subscribe so you're always ready to help students make sense of the world outside the walls of their classroom.
August 27, 2018 - Amplify Asian American Identities Beyond a Heritage Month
This edition of The Moment ensures your classroom reflects the diversity of Asian-American students and to help them feel seen year-round.
I Am Asian American
Uncover the true diversity beneath the Asian American label.
Teachers, Check Your Texts
LGBTQ Asian identities need to be amplified in the school curriculum—and not just during a heritage month.
(In)Visible Identity
Sikhs have been in the United States for more than 125 years, but our collective lack of knowledge about this religious group is leaving Sikh students vulnerable.
What Is The Moment?
Whether it’s lessons on a timely topic, resources for supporting vulnerable students or tips for making it through a tough time of year, we’ll have what you need front and center.
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August 20, 2018 - Black Lives Matter Still Matters
These resources can help you teach about the Black Lives Matters movement, its origins and why your students need to understand its relevance to their lives—regardless of their race.
Why Teaching Black Lives Matter Matters | Part I
All educators have the civic responsibility to learn and teach the basic history and tenets of this movement for racial justice.
Bringing Black Lives Matter Into the Classroom | Part II
Educator Jamilah Pitts introduces ways to discuss Black Lives Matter across all grade levels.
A District Profile | Black Lives Matter at School
Meet a school district that brought Black Lives Matter into the classroom—and learn how you could do it too.
August 17, 2018 - Thoughtless Dress Codes Can Harm Students From Day One
A video of a boy turned away at the schoolhouse door because of his hair went viral. But this isn't an isolated case. These resources explain the bias behind certain hair and dress code policies, and hopefully inspire you to see this new school year as an opportunity to stand up for your students' right to be themselves—inside and out.
Loc’d Out: How Thoughtless Dress Codes Can Harm Students From Day One
Culturally insensitive policies that force students to hide their identities defy the mission of establishing an inclusive learning environment.
male teenager browsing at library
Let Black Students Be Kids: Down With 'Respectability'
We need to bifurcate the message that students’ intelligence and appearances are related.
Controlling the Student Body
Are your school’s dress and behavior policies doing more harm than good?
August 13, 2018 - Helping Students Engage in Civil Discourse
Emphasizing the value of civil discourse is an important step toward setting the stage for a positive school year. This edition of The Moment gathers articles and teaching resources on how to create an environment where students can discuss difficult topics in a respectful, civil way.
I Start the Year with Nothing
When students make the rules, classroom community soars.
Toward a More Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse in the Classroom offers step-by-step lessons for engaging in effective argument on divisive issues.
Polarized Classrooms
Understanding political divides can help students learn to bridge them.
August 10, 2018 - Teaching One Year After Charlottesville
Since the deadly "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, we've been discouraged by the visibility of hate in schools, but also inspired by courageous acts of resistance. These stories offer opportunities to reflect on the legacy of Charlottesville—and the path toward a world without hate.
Charlottesville’s Zyahna Bryant Shall Lead
When Zyahna Bryant started the petition to have Robert E. Lee’s statue removed from Charlottesville, she was doing something she’s been practicing for years: using her voice for equity and justice. And she’s not going to stop.
The World We Wish For
On this difficult anniversary, it’s easy to feel weighed down by the events of the last 12 months. But a new school year offers the opportunity to not only resist but create.
We Were Ready
Years of equity work sheltered Charlottesville's students when hate came to their town.
August 6, 2018 - Getting Ready to Go Back to School!
Back-to-school season is an exciting opportunity for a fresh start, but it can also be overwhelming. These articles offer time-tested suggestions for making your classroom and school places where all students can thrive.
I Start the Year With Nothing
When students make the rules, classroom community soars.
Getting Started With Mix It Up
While pulling off a successful Mix It Up event takes a good deal of coordination, you don't have to reinvent the wheel! We've collected the best practices, approaches and planning details all in one place.
Tell Us About Your Day: The Significance of a Closing Circle
One elementary teacher explains how she uses closing circles to create a safe, reflective space for students to discuss their days with their classmates and leave school knowing that others care.
July 31, 2018 - Addressing the Department of Justice's "Religious Liberty" Task Force
On Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions introduced a new Department of Justice initiative that threatens to strip LGBTQ students of agency, physical safety and emotional development. These resources provide educators with tools—and courage—to stand up for LGBTQ students through their policies, their actions and the lessons they teach.
THE RELIGIOUS LIBERTY TASK FORCE IS MORE SWORD THAN SHIELD
On Monday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the creation of a task force that—in the name of “religious liberty”—threatens to systemically oppress LGBTQ students. The time for educators to demonstrate their allyship is now.
SNEAK PREVIEW! TT’S NEW LGBTQ BEST PRACTICES GUIDE
We’ve learned a lot in the last few years about what LGBTQ students need to thrive. This excerpt from our forthcoming guide offers insight into how even small policy adjustments can make a big difference in the lives of queer and non-binary students.
TOOLKIT FOR "RELIGION VERSUS EQUALITY?"
This toolkit reminds history and government teachers that they can—and should—teach with confidence about religious freedom and how it can come into conflict with other rights.
July 30, 2018 - Engaging Students' Families and Communities
The beginning of a new school year is just around the corner. How will you prioritize family and community engagement during those first critical weeks? This edition of The Moment offers concrete suggestions for how to connect early and often with the adults who nurture your students outside of school.
“FAMILIES ARE SUCH AN ASSET”
In this interview, TT Award Winner Liz Kleinrock talks about the steps she takes at the beginning of the school year to connect with her students’ families and how she builds those relationships throughout the year.
TT GRANTS IN ACTION: CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE COOKING CLUB
Creating a cohesive community from disparate parent groups around a great unifier: food.
HOME VISITS
Family engagement sounds good in theory, but what does it look like in practice? Special thanks to The Parent Teacher Home Visit Project and the Family and Community Engagement Team at Denver Public Schools whose work informed this PD Café.
July 23, 2018 - Catch Up on TT's Favorite Stories of Summer 2018
What do you read when the news gets you down? Here at TT, we're lucky to have years of inspiring stories to motivate us when we're feeling discouraged. This edition of The Moment features three staff favorites—from an unlikely friendship to a highly personal teaching strategy to timeless words of encouragement from a civil rights icon.
HEARING THE LION'S STORY
Racial stress can silence children. Storytelling can awaken their voices.
WE MUST PERSEVERE
Recently, the Supreme Court rendered a decision that makes school integration far more difficult. Civil rights leader Julian Bond responds.
THE SIKH AND THE SKINHEAD
An unusual duo fights hate in the classroom.
July 16, 2018 - Revisiting the Summer Issue of Teaching Tolerance Magazine
Did you get a chance to check out our Summer 2018 magazine issue? Learn from these important feature stories—and be sure to subscribe so that you get every issue sent right to your mailbox. Scroll to the bottom of the page and subscribe today.
INTEGRATING FOR EQUITY
Educators, activists and academics are raising the bar when it comes to achieving truly integrated schools.
SMS SOS
Young people are increasingly turning to their phones to find support in the midst of a crisis.
DIGITAL LITERACY VIDEOS
Our short student-friendly videos make learning about digital literacy fun! Share them with students, colleagues and (of course!) on social media.
July 9, 2018 - Affirming Transgender Students' Rights
With laws like Ohio's House Bill 658 in the atmosphere, the basic rights of trans students are at risk. State legislators debated making it a felony for teachers to protect trans students' privacy. Here are some resources to help you support and protect your school's trans students.
NO GENDER COPS IN CLASSROOMS
Legislators in Ohio are debating whether to require teachers to inform guardians if a student comes out as transgender. If signed into law, the bill could have devastating consequences for trans students.
BEING THERE FOR NONBINARY YOUTH
Sometimes the “T” in the LGBT gets overlooked.
SEX? SEXUAL ORIENTATION? GENDER IDENTITY? GENDER EXPRESSION?
Knowing the difference can make all the difference to students who do not conform to binary norms.
July 2, 2018 - Discussing #BBQBecky, #PermitPatty and #LivingWhileBlack
The summer of 2018 saw black children reported to police for swimming, selling water and mowing lawns. Studies show the same bias that attributes sinister motives to these kids is evident in classrooms as well. What are you doing to ensure your students don't have to worry about #LivingWhileBlack at school?
IS THERE A #BBQBECKY OR #PERMITPATTY IN YOUR CLASSROOM?
The recent rash of viral stories featuring white people who call the cops on law-abiding black people is an iteration of implicit bias that happens in schools every day. It’s time for educators to self-reflect.
IS IMPLICIT BIAS RACIST?
Three things every teacher should know about implicit bias and the brain.
REFRAMING CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
Poor classroom management harms students and leads to educator burnout. Our toolkit can help you consider a fresh approach to classroom discipline.
June 27, 2018 - Talking About the Supreme Court's Travel Ban Decision
In June 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the travel ban on six majority-Muslim countries. How will you talk with your students about this decision, and how will you support Muslim students who may be left feeling targeted, misunderstood and isolated from distant family members? These TT resources can help.
COUNTERING ISLAMOPHOBIA THROUGH EDUCATION
Schools and communities must work together to counter Islamophobia, bullying and hate in all its forms. This curricular resource can help.
EXPELLING ISLAMOPHOBIA
Anti-hate and anti-bullying policies aren’t enough in the fight against Islamophobia.
WHO ARE AMERICAN MUSLIMS?
Why is anti-Muslim bias on the rise in the United States? How much do your students know about Islam and its followers? Explore these questions with two student-friendly videos.
June 20, 2018 - Responding to Immigrant Family Separations
We know zero-tolerance policies harm children in schools; they're harming them at our borders as well. In the wake of the Trump administration's 2018 policy on the imprisonment and separation of immigrant families, we hope you'll read and share these resources. Consider how you can support the children in your classroom—and beyond.
TEACHING ON THE BORDER
As children are separated from their parents along our southern border, one teacher considers our responsibility to help.
SUPPORT STUDENTS FROM IMMIGRANT FAMILIES
Our web package offers resources on executive orders, ICE raids, safe zones, ELL services and much more.
TEN MYTHS ABOUT IMMIGRATION
Debunk the misinformation students bring to school—and help them think for themselves.
June 13, 2018 - Taking Care of Yourself Over the Summer
Summer vacation offers time to catch up on the books, movies, articles, discussions—well, just about all of the things you didn't have time for during the school year. This edition of The Moment offers TT-approved suggestions to entertain you and help you rejuvenate yourself and your practice.
SUMMER SELF CARE
Let’s use some time this summer to rejuvenate and reflect on our classroom practice!
WHAT WE'RE READING
Our book reviews can help you keep your practice fresh and informed.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Dim the lights and get ready to learn with these TT-approved films!
June 8, 2018 - Supporting Students in Crisis
With high-profile suicides in the news, you may be thinking about how you can be there for students in crisis. In this edition of The Moment, you'll find some strategies for supporting students and helping them support each other.
SMS SOS
Young people are increasingly turning to their phones to find support in the midst of a crisis.
THE SHAME GAME
Dispelling stigma allows young people to get the mental health support they need.
WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND? USE YOUR E.D.G.E.
Students don’t always know how to help someone they care about who might be experiencing bullying, depression, dating violence, suicidal thoughts or other problems. This can help.
June 4, 2018 - Exploring the SPLC Whose Heritage? Report
This SPLC report, Whose Heritage?, can help teach the history behind the memorialization of Confederate symbols in public spaces.
SPLC’S ‘WHOSE HERITAGE?’ REPORT: A TEACHING OPPORTUNITY
Across the country, schools, monuments and statues pay homage to the Confederacy. A new report can help teach the history behind these public fixtures—and how they spread throughout the South and beyond.
STATES' RIGHTS AND "HISTORICAL MALPRACTICE"
After witnessing the rise of the “alt-right,” this social studies teacher doubled down on debunking Confederacy myths.
NAME CHANGERS
The names of Confederate and segregationist leaders label the landscape of the South. What are the consequences when these names belong to schools?
May 28, 2018 - Acknowledging Hidden Bias
In May 2018, more than 175,000 Starbucks employees stopped work to talk about racism, discrimination and implicit bias. These discussions might be happening at Starbucks, but we know they need to happen elsewhere, too. Here are some resources on implicit bias to help you look inward, then start a conversation of your own.
TEST YOURSELF FOR HIDDEN BIAS
Take this test to learn more about your own bias and learn how bias is the foundation of stereotypes, prejudice and, ultimately, discrimination.
TACKLING IMPLICIT BIAS
From Selma to Ferguson and beyond, implicit bias has been at play. But educators can take steps to understand this bias and move toward solutions.
IS IMPLICIT BIAS RACIST?
Three things every teacher should know about implicit bias and the brain.
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