Current Issues
Classroom activities to engage students in learning about and discussing issues in the news
As a pivotal global summit on climate approaches, young people are making their voices heard. In this activity, students discuss COP26 and urgent youth-led demands for action.
Students experience how a range of Latinx illustrators touch on language, identity, and self-expression through their comics – including an exploration of the meaning and significance of terms such as Latinx, Hispanic, Latino, and Latina.
Indigenous People's Day and Native American Heritage Month (in November) are an opportunity to learn about Indigenous peoples' history, culture, and perspectives.
Students process some of the current research on cell phone use, interview a family member to share their learning, and perhaps co-create a class plan to reduce phone distractions.
Students consider what it might feel like to be a refugee and how we can welcome newcomers. Older students discuss the Afghan refugees arriving in the U.S. and how we could support them.
Students discuss the historical role of unions in the U.S. - and how a younger generation of workers is seeking to build unions that address their needs.
Students discuss the concept of Ubuntu, or interconnectedness, then consider the news this summer and its impact on us and on others around the world.
English teacher Sarah Outterson-Murphy provides brief descriptions of a range of short stories and novels exploring a changing climate, with questions for discussion. (Updated August 2021)
How should educators acknowledge the anniversary of September 11th and educate students about the events of that day and their impact?
Students explore the debate over the U.S.'s rising military budget and where young people stand on the issue.