Students at NYC's Beacon High School.
Photo© Carolina Kroon


About Morningside Center

TeachableMoment.Org is a project of Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility, and furthers our mission of fostering social responsibility in young people.

Morningside Center
educates young people for hopeful and intelligent engagement with their world. A national leader in fostering social and emotional learning (SEL), Morningside Center reaches tens of thousands of educators and students each year through an array of programs that develop such skills as handling anger, being assertive, solving conflicts creatively and nonviolently, and dealing well with diversity. We help teachers make their classrooms more caring and productive. We support students in taking leadership to improve their communities--from the classroom to the world.

Morningside Center relies on individuals to help support our work, including the free lessons available on TeachableMoment. Please contribute!




It's official!
New gold-standard study shows our 4Rs Program helps kids do better socially, emotionally & academically.

Top researchers at New York University, Fordham University, and Harvard have now published their findings from a three-year, federally funded study of Morningside Center's 4Rs Program (Reading, Writing, Respect & Resolution). The study tracked the development of children in nine New York City elementary schools that implemented the program compared with children in nine control schools.

Findings from the first two years of the study are now official: Compared with children in the control schools, children in the 4Rs schools were less hyperactive, less aggressive, and saw their social world as less hostile. They were happier and more likely to resolve interpersonal problems competently.

What's more, during the first year children judged to be at greatest behavioral risk by their teachers had better attendance than their counterparts in the control schools and made better academic progress as rated by teachers. By the second year, they were also doing better on standardized tests. What's more, 4Rs schools had significantly higher levels of overall classroom quality compared to control schools.



Iraqi family finds refuge in Jordan.
Photo © Lori Grinker



Nothing Like My Home
The Iraqi Refugee Crisis

Morningside Center's Nothing Like My Home Project uses the arts and media to engage young people in the plight of 4.7 million Iraqis displaced by war.

 

Latest Activities

The classroom lessons on TeachableMoment.Org 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: info@morningsidecenter.org. NOTE: Curriculum writer Alan Shapiro's email address has changed. His new address is: lnshapiro07@gmail.com.

Hundreds more interactive classroom activities are available on our elementary, middle, and high school index pages.

WHY DO TERRORISTS WANT TO KILL AMERICANS? (2/9/10) Exploring the "why" of terrorist attacks is controversial in the U.S. Three student readings explore this controversy--and terrorists' possible motives.

HOWARD ZINN: People's Historian (2/3/10) The important and often controversial historian and social movement activist Howard Zinn died on January 27. A student reading about the man and his ideas is followed by discussion questions and suggestions for further inquiry and citizenship.

Supreme Court Rejects Limits on CORPORATE ELECTION SPENDING (1/27/10) A student quiz, reading and discussion explore the court's role in interpreting the Constitution and its recent decision to lift limits on corporate & union election ad spending.

HAITI CRISIS (1/19/10) Help your students learn about the earthquake and Haiti's history, and brainstorm about how they can help Haitians now and in the long run.
- High School: DEVASTATION IN HAITI
- Elementary & Middle School: WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HAITI?

STONES INTO SCHOOLS (1/20/10) Alan Shapiro reviews the new book by Greg Mortenson, whose mission is to "promote peace through books, not bombs" in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King: THE POWER OF NONVIOLENT RESISTANCE (1/13/10) Through engaging activities, video, and small-group discussion, elementary or middle school students consider the Montgomery Bus Boycott and how they might stand up against injustice in their own lives.

THE DRONE STRIKE CONTROVERSY (1/13/10) Two student readings explore the controversy over the use of remotely-piloted aircraft to drop bombs in the Afghanistan/Pakistan war. Discussion questions, a fish bowl activity and a writing assignment follow.

The SENATE FILIBUSTER & DEMOCRACY (1/6/10) A classroom activity has students simulate a US Senate filibuster. Two student readings then explore the Senate's less-than-democratic 60-vote rule and possible methods for reforming it. Discussion questions, writing and citizenship activities follow.

BRINGING THE IRAQ WAR TO A 'RESPONSIBLE END' (12/29/09) Three student readings and discussion questions probe current conditions in Iraq and the U.S.'s moral responsibilities there.

Controversial trials for GUANTANAMO PRISONERS (with a DBQ) (12/29/09) Two student readings and a document-based question exercise focus on the Obama administration's recent decision to try Guantanamo suspects in civilian and military courts.

COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CONFERENCE: Will we continue to be 'slowly boiling brainless frogs'? (10/19/09, updated 12/21/09) The December 2009 conference presents an opportunity for students to consider some key issues facing our planet.

CONSIDERING UNEMPLOYMENT (12/16/09) Students consider our 10% unemployment rate from a numerical, social and emotional perspective, including through photos from the Great Depression.

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND 'THE CHOICE BETWEEN OUR SAFETY & OUR IDEALS' (12/16/09) Student readings consider President Obama's adoption of three Bush administration policies that Obama had previously opposed: extraordinary rendition, the state secrets privilege, and habeas corpus. Discussion questions, inquiry subjects, and a student essay assignment follow.

THE HEALTHCARE DEBATE (12/9/09) Marieke van Woerkom uses an engaging game with M&Ms to help students see how insurance works and to touch off discussion on the current reform debate.

Thinking Critically about Obama's Speech on AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN STRATEGY (12/9/09) A student reading excerpts the president's speech; the second raises a battery of questions to stimulate further inquiry and critical thinking on a vital presidential decision.

THE RISE OF HUNGER, UNEMPLOYMENT & POVERTY IN AMERICA (12/2/09) Student readings focus on the 49 million Americans who suffer from a lack of food; unemployment and how the New Deal attacked that problem; and current proposals in the lead-up to a December job summit. Discussion questions and suggestions for further inquiry and citizenship follow.

GAZA WAR CRIMES (11/25/09) Three student readings examine the controversial UN report charging both Israel and Palestinians with war crimes in the 2008 Gaza War.

FROM BAGHDAD TO TUCSON: The Story of a Young Iraqi Refugee (11/18/09) Students consider their views about Iraq and reflect on one young Iraqi refugee's view of the U.S.

The American Heritage of Race, Interracial Sex & interracial Marriage (11/10/09) Four student readings explore the sensitive and controversial issues of race, interracial sex and interracial marriage--including the Jefferson-Hemings relationship and Michelle Barack's ancestry.

Juan Cole on ENGAGING THE MUSLIM WORLD: An Overview for Teachers (10/28/09) Alan Shapiro provides background for teachers on the 'standoff' between the Muslim world and the West through an overview of the new book by Middle East scholar Juan Cole.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER: President Obama (10/20/09) A student reading includes the president's statement on receiving the prize, an excerpt from the Nobel Committee's announcement, and a sampling of reactions to the award. Discussion questions follow.

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.

  
 
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