Overcoming Obstacles
Presenting Yourself
"Presenting Yourself," the last lesson in the "Looking to the Future" module, asks participants to review and reflect on what they have learned about themselves in the Overcoming Obstacles course. They review their course folder and...
Anti-Defamation League
Why are Children’s and Young Adult Books Challenged and Banned?
September's "Banned Books Week" brings attention to the number of books that are challenged, censored, or banned each year. After watching a video about banned book week, reading articles about the history of book banning, and examining...
Mr. Nussbaum
Lewis and Clark
An informational text focuses on Lewis and Clark. Scholars read the text and answer 10 questions to test their reading comprehension skills.
Penguin Books
Teacher's Guide: A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
It's the American Dream! A house of your own, a better life, freedom to be who you want. But what happens when the dream withers? Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning drama, A Raisin in the Sun, offers some powerful answers to these...
Mr. Nussbaum
American Revolution
An interactive practice challenges scholars to read an informational text and answer 10 questions. The topic of the passage is the American Revolution.
Mr. Nussbaum
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart is the focus of a reading comprehension interactive practice. Scholars read an informational text; then answer 10 questions.Â
Mr. Nussbaum
Age of Exploration
An informational text focuses on the Age of Exploration. Scholars read the passage and then answer 10 questions to test their reading comprehension skills.
Mr. Nussbaum
United Kingdom
An interactive practice tests scholars' reading comprehension skills. Learners read an informative text, then answer 10 questions.
Mr. Nussbaum
Trail of Tears
An interactive practice boosts reading comprehension skills. Scholars read an informative text, then show what they know by answering 10 questions. A progress report details their answers and overall score.
Mr. Nussbaum
Thomas Jefferson
Boost reading comprehension skills with an interactive about Thomas Jefferson. Scholars read an informational text then answer 10 questions.Â
Mr. Nussbaum
Susan B. Anthony
An interactive reading practice focuses on Susan B. Anthony. Scholars read an informational text, then answer 10 questions.
Mr. Nussbaum
Sharks
Learners read an informational text about sharks, then test their knowledge by answering 10Â questions.Â
Mr. Nussbaum
Sioux (Lakota) Nation
Scholars test their reading comprehension skills with an interactive that focuses on the Sioux tribe. After reading an informational text, learners answer 10 questions.Â
Mr. Nussbaum
Colonial Rhode Island
An interactive focuses on Colonial Rhode Island. Scholars read a brief informational text, then answer 10 questions. Feedback appears immediately and comes with a final progress report.
Overcoming Obstacles
Writing Reports
Following a review of how to research and take notes, scholars define the term paraphrase and identify ways to organize information and finish reports. To put their newfound knowledge to the test, learners interview a peer, take notes,...
Overcoming Obstacles
Using Appropriate Resources
A lesson dives deep into reference materials. The class begins with a discussion of which resources are best used for specific purposes and how to identify ways to get the needed information. Learners share information about the internet...
Facing History and Ourselves
Becoming Ourselves
Here's a great way to build community during the first days of the new school year. Participants read personal narratives, then craft and share their stories with others.
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome
Is it possible to have too much concern for others? Can we be trapped by our expectations as well as those of society? Edith Wharton's chilling tale of Ethan Frome asks these and other disquieting questions. Signet's guide to Ethan Frome...
Overcoming Obstacles
Identifying Options
Making a decision can be more like a multiple-choice question than a yes/no one. Through a series of activities, middle schoolers learn how to consider and identify options, choices, and alternatives when faced with an important decision.
Overcoming Obstacles
Gathering Information
Before making important decisions, gathering as much information as possible is best. That's the take-away from the second lesson in the Decision-Making module of the Overcoming Obstacles course. Middle schoolers engage in a series of...
Overcoming Obstacles
Expressing Opinions Constructively
Everyone has opinions. The trick is to learn how to disagree in a way that doesn't cause problems. The activities in the final instructional activity in the Communication Module focuses on learning how to express opinions constructively....
Facing History and Ourselves
First Chapter Fridays
Fridays can be a challenge with learners already dreaming about their weekends. Here's a routine that will bring their minds back to the classroom. Read aloud the beginning of a story, sure to engage your listeners.
Mr. Nussbaum
Sacagawea
A reading comprehension interactive practice focuses on Sacagawea. Scholars read an informational text, then answer 10 questions.
Facing History and Ourselves
Slow Down with The Slowdown
Help learners bring their focus to the classroom with an opening routine that asks them to listen to a podcast about what a particular poem means to the narrator. Participants then share what's happening with them.