| MORNINGSIDE
CENTER for Teaching Social Responsibility works in public schools
and communities to help teachers, students, and parents build skills, knowledge
and community. Through our programs, people learn to solve conflicts nonviolently,
challenge bias, communicate better, and work together to build a more just and
peaceful society. Morningside
Center relies on individuals to help support our work: Please
contribute online! What's
New on TeachableMoment.OrgNewly Posted
Classroom Resources on our website of teacher resources, TeachableMoment.Org:
IRAN'S
TURMOIL & Relations with the U.S.
(7/1/09) Three
student readings provide an overview of recent events in Iran and outline that
country's post-World War II relationship with the U.S. Discussion questions and
suggestions for further inquiries follow. CIGARETTES:
Cracking down on the 'deadliest legal product known to man'
(7/1/09) A
reading outlines the new Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and
provides information about teenage smoking and its effects. A writing assignment,
discussion questions and subjects for further inquiry follow. SUPREME
COURT NOMINEE SOTOMAYOR: What Role for Experience & Heritage?
(6/24/09)
Student
readings explore the debate over Sotomayor, her background, and controversial
cases. Discussion questions, a case study and writing assignments follow. TREATMENT
OF TERRORIST SUSPECTS: Obama & His Critics
(6/17/09) In
a recent speech, the president discussed his views of controversial anti-terrorist
policies. Three student readings include excerpts from the speech followed by
critiques from multiple perspectives, discussion questions and inquiry ideas. BOOM,
BUST & BANK BAILOUT
(6/3/09) What
fueled the housing boom and the bust that followed? Who was hurt? Who benefited?
Two student readings explore the issues. CHECKING
LANGUAGE & FACTS IN THE HEALTHCARE DEBATE
(5/20/09)
Student readings include
excerpts from a memo and an ad attacking Obama's reform plan as well as a description
of that plan. Discussion questions call for critical thinking about language,
factual, and substantive issues. SHOULD
ASSAULT WEAPONS BE BANNED?
(5/13/09)
Student readings review
the origins of the AK-47, the 10-year federal ban on assault weapons, President
Obama's views on guns, and the NRA's political clout. Discussion questions and
an inquiry-oriented plan for "constructive controversy" follow. HOW
ORGANIC IS ORGANIC FOOD?
(5/6/09) What
is organic food exactly? Student activities include two readings, a quiz,
a writing assignment and suggestions for further inquiry.
SCHOOL REFORM CONTROVERSY
(4/29/09) Student
readings address the chief issues in today's reform efforts, obstacles to reform,
and critical views of mainstream school reform. Discussion questions and suggestions
for student inquiries and writing follow. TORTURE
MEMOS & THE RULE OF LAW
(4/27/09) A
student reading includes excerpts from recently released memos on 'interrogation
techniques' approved by the Bush administration; a second reading quotes President
Obama's statement on the issue. Discussion questions and writing and citizenship
activities follow. GREEN
INITIATIVES to Combat Climate Change (for High School Students)
(4/15/09) Student
readings describe the scientific controversy over "tipping points,"
the Obama-Biden energy program, and plans to green the Empire State Building.
Following the readings are suggestions for student-led green initiatives for Earth
Day - or any other day. MESSAGE
IN THE WAVES: Two Earth Day Lessons for Middle School Students
(4/8/09) After
viewing a short video clip, students consider the effect all our waste has on
the environment and develop a 'reduce, reuse, recyle' action plan.
THE
GARBAGE PATCH: Two Earth Day Lessons for Elementary Students (4/8/09)
With
the help of a short video clip, students explore the 'life cycle' of a plastic
bag and develop a 'reduce, reuse, recycle' action plan. Obama's
strategy in AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN,
with a DBQ (4/8/09)
An introduction and
two student readings discuss the president's view of the Afghanistan/Pakistan
connection and what he thinks must be done in both countries. A companion Document-Based
Question (DBQ) exercise asks students to consider and write about competing views
of the president's strategy. VOTING
RIGHTS ACT OF 1965, THEN & NOW (4/1/09)
One
student reading traces the orgins of the Voting Rights Act; a second discusses
the recent Supreme Court decision limiting the Act's scope when it comes to drawing
voter district lines.
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Photos
on this website are by Carolina Kroon (www.carolinakroonphotography.com)
| |
SOLUTIONS FOR SCHOOLS
Morningside
Center for Teaching Social Responsibility works extensively in schools helping
educators implement programs that build community and develop students' social
and emotional skills. See
our list of offerings (in PDF format) for: READ
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Our
programs are research-based. See a PDF summary of the research
showing the effectiveness of programs. READ
OUR ANNUAL REPORT
(PDF)
Find
out about Morningside Center's work in schools and commmunities during 2007-2008. SEE
THE EDUTOPIA VIDEO FEATURING
OUR WORK AT BROOKLYN'S PS 24!
Edutopia,
the website of the George Lucas Educational Foundation, features Morningside Center's
work at this stellar public school.
For
more information about our work in schools:
About our NameOn JANUARY 31, 2007, we
changed our name from Educators for Social Responsibility Metropolitan Area (ESR
Metro) to Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility. Our
work, our location, our phone numbers, and our staff remain the same. But our
name, our look, our email addresses, and our organizational web address have changed.
You can still find our teacher resources at www.teachablemoment.org.
For email: Replace esrmetro.org with morningsidecenter.org in our email addresses,
and you will be able to reach
us as before.
We look forward to continuing to serve our friends,
old and new, under our new banner.
A School of Our Own:
Parents, Power & Community at the East Harlem
Block Schools
by Tom Roderick "A powerful story of the generation
of hope and of the power of a community to educate its young."
--Educator/author
Herb Kohl Morningside Center's Executive Director Tom Roderick tells the
moving story of the Puerto Rican parents who created better schools for their
children, led a winning campaign to improve early childhood services in NYC and
empowered themselves in the process. Available through Teachers
College Press or through Amazon.com --
and now, through Morningside Center's new secure
online store. |
