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.

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.'

'OCCUPY WALL STREET': Background & international context for high school (10/13/11) Students learn about the protest and its message, and consider how the Occupy Wall Street protest is related to public protests in other countries in the past year.

'OCCUPY WALL STREET': A lesson for middle grades (10/6/11) Students learn about the Occupy Wall Street protest, discuss wealth disparity, consider some statistics, make their own charts, and find out what some of the protesters want and and why.

THE CRISIS OF JOBLESSNESS IN AMERICA (9/30/11) Student readings explore unemployment statistics and the human impact of joblessness, and examine the effect of government proposals on the crisis. Discussion questions and an opinion continuum activity follow the readings.

U.S. ECONOMIC INEQUALITY is Rising. What Can We Do About It? (9/7/11) Students analyze new evidence of growing wealth disparity based on race and ethnicity and overall U.S. economic inequality. Then they consider what they and others might do to reduce inequality.

LESSONS ON NONVIOLENCE from our archive....

Behind the Egyptian Uprising: A STRATEGIC YOUTH MOVEMENT

The Power of Nonviolent Action: South Africa & Poland.

CREATING A COOPERATIVE WORLD

DEATH PENALTY: What is it? What do we think about it? (9/27/11) In the wake of the execution of Troy Davis on September 21, students consider the death penalty through a web, a social barometer activity, readings and videos.

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.