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2009-2010 ANNUAL REPORT

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Action News, Spring 2010

What's New on TeachableMoment.Org

TeachableMoment.Org, Morningside Center's website of free teacher resources, provides timely, inquiry-oriented lessons on issues of the day. Newly posted items include:

Giants vs. Jets: Two Styles of Coaching (and Leading) (1/22/12) As the NY Giants head to the Super Bowl, 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?

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 (1/13/10) 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.

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.

HOLIDAYS: Often Happy, Sometimes Sad 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' (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

9/11 ANNIVERSARY TEACHING GUIDE (8/23/11) Our age-appropriate classroom lessons and activities for grades K-12 aim to deepen your students' understanding of September 11 and the 10th anniversary ceremonies, and develop their critical thinking skills. The guide, written by Morningside Center executive director Tom Roderick, also includes recommended books and other teaching ideas. You can also download a 32-page PDF version of 9/11 ANNIVERSARY TEACHING GUIDE.

Reflections on the eve of 9/11 anniversary: HOW DO WE HANDLE OUR KIDS' HARDEST QUESTIONS? (7/27/11) As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, parents and teachers can expect a lot of questions to come up for discussion with their kids. How can we answer kids' questions about tough issues honestly, acknowledge their complex feelings, and help them put what's happening in context? Reflections and suggestions from parent and education activist Jinnie Spiegler.

WHO HAS THE POWER TO WAGE WAR? A Lesson on the Separation of Powers (7/27/11) Two student readings and discussion questions probe the history of the War Powers Act of 1973 and the current controversy over whether President Obama's deployment of U.S. forces to Libya violates that law.

HOW DID MARRIAGE EQUALITY BECOME LAW IN NEW YORK STATE? (6/30/11) After discussing the news from New York, students explore how the bill came to be passed - including the strategies and personal experiences that influenced legislators' decisions.

WIKIPEDIA: A Democratic Source of Information? Or an Unreliable One? (HS) (6/23/11) In a jigsaw activity, students learn about three Wikipedia controversies, then decide whether they think Wikipedia is a reliable information source.