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How I navigate evolution (and creationism) in a second-grade classroom

As I head back to the classroom, I think about the last school year. In the second-to-last week of school, my fifth-grade classroom was 90 degrees, with no air conditioning. My students were sitting together, helping each other, laughing, struggling and having fun. At the beginning of the year, they were unsure of each other. They smiled politely but kept to themselves or the friends they knew and never asked for help. So what had changed?

Teaching with international films brings the world to your students. This toolkit for “Reel Life” provides information about suggested films that will “edu-tain” your students.

The events of this week have made it clear: It’s time to bring genocide and Holocaust awareness lessons back into the spotlight.

Many teachers in the United States will include a lesson on Emmett Till as an introduction to the civil rights movement or as part of their Black History Month plans. This year, it’s time to modify the lesson.

Teachers can increase student engagement by consulting with small groups of students about their classroom experience. When students see their ideas being put into action, they become more invested in their education.

A couple of years ago a student approached me after history class. Avoiding eye contact, he trembled a bit before speaking. His voice was shaking. “I am sorry, teacher,” Armando began. “I could not finish my project. My parents were killed a couple days ago.”

Freedom’s Teacher offers opportunities to share a lesser-known story about a pioneering educator.

One after-school programmer reflects on the criminalization of youth.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality. This TT staff member reflects on watching the moral arc of justice bend a few more degrees.