The classroom lessons on TeachableMoment foster critical thinking on issues of the day and a positive classroom environment. Teachers are free to use these lessons in their classrooms. We welcome feedback! Send comments as well as requests for permission to reprint materials for widespread circulation to: lmcclure@morningsidecenter.org.Hundreds more interactive classroom activities are available on our elementary, middle, and high school index pages.

Part II: 50 years after The Other America: POVERTY IN THE U.S. for high school (4/26/12) TeachableMoment marks the 50th anniversary of Michael Harrington's influential book with a series of readings and discussion questions for high school students. In Part II, readings focus on the debate about who should count as poor in this country and proposals for combating poverty.

Part I: 50 years after The Other America: POVERTY IN THE U.S. for high school (4/5/12) Two student readings, with discussion questions, provide an overview of Harrington's book and consider the state of poverty in the U.S. now.

Trayvon Martin case reignites GUN LAW DEBATE for high school (4/18/12) In the wake of the tragic killing of the Florida teen, two student readings examine the controversy surrounding Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law and the wider gun control debate.

Earth Day 2012: DEVELOPING OUR 'GREEN INTELLIGENCE' ON FOSSIL FUELS for high school (4/13/12) Students consider American consumption of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas; learn about new methods of extracting these fuels; and discuss their pros & cons.

More Earth Day Ideas for the classroom. See our selected list of past Earth Day & environmental lessons.

Parent perspective: SHOULD I LET MY TEN-YEAR OLD READ THE HUNGER GAMES? (3/30/12) 'This is a hot topic among parents of the upper elementary set - and it's gotten even hotter since the movie version of Hunger Games came out. For me the decision wasn't hard...'

TEACHING ABOUT CONTROVERSIAL OR DIFFICULT ISSUES (3/26/12 ) These helpful guidelines were written by Jinnie Spiegler for the New York Times Learning Network, a great resource on teaching and learning. The guidelines suggest many resources for teachers, including on the Trayvon Martin case.

IRAQ WAR 9th anniversary See our index of the many lessons TeachableMoment has offered on the war since 2003.

TEACHING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Five Essential Ingredients (3/15/12) Key ideas on how to help our kids engage in a positive way with each other and the world.

International Women's Day: CONSIDERING WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP for high school (3/7/12) Students consider people who have had an impact on them and what makes a leader, and learn about some women who have made a difference in the world.

WHO MAKES YOUR iPHONE? A discussion about Sweatshops for high school (3/6/12, updated 3/22) Two student readings examine labor conditions in factories making Apple products and the debate about sweatshops more broadly. Questions for discussion follow each reading.

Respect for All 2012: STANDING UP TO DISCRIMINATION for middle & high school (2/14/12) Students define the terms "prejudice" "stereotype" and "discrimination," read an an article about a group of vets who took a stand against discrimination, and consider the role of an ally both in the article and at school.

RESPECT FOR ALL Classroom lessons to foster respect for diversity - a concrete way for schools to mark Respect for All Week.

2012 Election STEPHEN COLBERT & the Role of Political Satire for high school (2/12/12) Students view a clip from Colbert's Comedy Central show about his Super PAC, then read and discuss several views on the role of Colbert's spoof of the election process.

2012 Election WEALTH & TAXES: WHAT'S FAIR? for high school (2/3/12) Students consider opposing views about taxes and wealth, analyze charts about wealth distribution, and decide how they think wealth should be distributed.

Giants vs. Jets: Two Styles of Coaching (and Leading) (1/22/12) In the wake of the NY Giants' Super Bowl victory, this lesson contrasts the Giants' style of coaching and leading with that of the Jets, a team the Giants recently defeated. In the process, students consider: What makes a leader effective? What does it take to foster teamwork?

2012 Election CAUCUS IN OUR CLASSROOM for high school (1/19/12) Students understand the caucus election process by experiencing it firsthand in their classroom - and learn more about 2012 Republican presidential candidates along the way.

GUANTANAMO BAY AT 10: A Debate about Military Detention for high school (1/19/12) Two student readings provide a brief history of the Guantanamo Bay detention center, explore arguments for and against the facility, and examine the evolving debate about it during the Obama administration. Discussion questions follow.

MLK Day Lesson: THE MONTGOMERY STORY for high school (1/12/12) Students use a remarkable 1957 comic book to learn about the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the real nature of the civil rights movement.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King: THE POWER OF NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE for elementary Through engaging activities, video, and small-group discussion, students consider the Montgomery Bus Boycott and how they might stand up against injustice in their own lives.

The Power of Strategic Nonviolent Action: STRATEGY FOR CHANGE for high school (12/21/11) Students consider nonviolence as a strategy for intentionally building public support--in both in the Civil Rights Movement (as expressed by Martin Luther King, Jr.) and in the Occupy movement.
See all our lessons touching on OCCUPY WALL STREET

Person of the Year: THE PROTESTER for grades 7-12 (12/19/11) Students nominate their own "person of the year"; read and discuss Time magazine's article naming "the protester"; and write new captions for photos of the protesters.

STUDENT DEBT CRISIS for high school (12/19/11) The nation's total student debt load now exceeds $830 billion, and the problem has touched off protests. Two student readings explore the scope of the student debt crisis and some proposals for dealing with it. Discussion questions follow each reading.

HOLIDAYS: Often Happy, Sometimes Sad (121/4/11 repost) This usually happy season may also bring up negative feelings for some students--perhaps because of family tensions or other problems. It's important to take this into consideration as we talk about the holidays in the classroom. This classroom activity is aimed at raising students' sensitivity and providing some encouragement for those who may be facing hardship during this holiday season.

EUROPEAN UNION IN TROUBLE for high school (12/4/11) In this lesson about a complex issue, students read a description of the current crisis in the European Union and conflicting views about how to address it, including the debate over "austerity" vs. "stimulus." Then they participate in "fishbowl" discussion of the issue.

MONEY IN AMERICAN POLITICS: A key Occupy Wall Street issue for high school (11/17/11) Through two readings and class discussion, students think critically about the effect of corporate campaign donations on our political system and consider efforts to reform campaign finance.

NONVIOLENCE: An Assertive Approach to Conflict for high school (11/8/11) In this interactive workshop, students explore what escalates and deescalates conflict, consider nonviolent action as an assertive response to conflict, and learn about Occupy Wall Street's use of nonviolence as a strategy.

CONSIDERING DEMOCRACY in Occupy Wall Street & the Classroom for grades 4-7 (10/27/11) Students explore the meaning of democracy and how Occupy Wall Street is using elements of democracy in their protests. Then students think of and analyze ideas that might make their classroom more democratic.

IS THIS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE? Considering Occupy Wall Street's 'leaderless movement' for high school (10/26/11) Students work in groups to come up with a definition of 'democracy,' then read and discuss an article on Occupy Wall Street's decision-making process.

TAXES: Why do we have them? Are they fair? for high school (10/13/11) Students explore the question of taxes, Obama's recent 'Buffett Rule' proposal, and Republican charges of 'class warfare.'

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: Classroom Activities for Starting Off the School Year This 28-page PDF booklet includes great activities to get your class (grades preK-12) off to a good start in the new school year.

. . . And more for elementary, middle & high school.