by Marsha Rakestraw In a recent memo, the Trump administration has argued for US government agencies to adopt an “explicit and uniform definition” of gender that would “define sex as either male or female, unchangeable, and determined by the genitals a person is born with.” As the New York Times reports, this proposed definition would…
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by Marsha Rakestraw Children’s books are a terrific tool for sharing positive values, teaching students (in age-appropriate ways) about global ethical issues, and inspiring them to take positive action. They are a powerful part of any classroom and curriculum. Here’s a round-up of 19 of our lists of suggested children’s picture books on a variety…
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by Zoe Weil A few years ago at our Summer Residency for educators at the Institute for Humane Education, teacher and IHE grad Betsy Messenger created a lesson on animal issues that was so effective and powerful, I wanted to share it with you. She gathered our group outside and “borrowed” my dogs, whose only…
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What are our relationships with different kinds of animals, and why do those relationships exist? Lead students in an activity which explores why we treat different types of animals differently, and how we can learn to view them with different eyes. Recommended for grades 5 and up. Time: 60 minutes Common Core Standards for…
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How will students feel spending a moment in the shoes of a battery hen or a child slave? Use this lively and thought- provoking activity to introduce human and animal issues and the connections between them. Recommended for grades 6 and up. Time: 45 minutes to several days Common Core Standards for this activity…
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Help students think deeply and critically about what it means to be our best selves and about the ethical quandaries between balancing personal desires with kindness toward others by engaging them in an exploration of personal and global ethical scenarios. Recommended for grades 3 through 8. Time: 60 minutes Common Core Standards for this…
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What is prejudice? Why do some people judge others because of their differences? How can we make positive choices that reflect understanding, acceptance, and tolerance? Students learn about these issues and have a chance to “dare to be different” by altering their appearance for a day. Recommended for grades 3-5. Time: 1-2 days Common…
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An activity to widen perspectives Participants “become” a being or part of nature and share the lives, concerns, hopes, and wisdom of their being in a Council. This activity widens perspectives, builds appreciation and compassion, and invites participants to consider their impact. Grades: Recommended for grades 4 and up Time: 1-2 hours Common Core Standards…
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What is compassion? Who and what are in our circles of compassion? This activity serves as a springboard for exploring compassion and uses “scenario” stations to inspire participants to think about who’s in their circle of compassion and why, and what they can do to make a positive difference for those being oppressed. Recommended for…
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Participants receive a visit from a traveling alien on a fact-finding mission to learn how beings treat other beings on Earth. Answering the alien’s questions reveals the inconsistencies in how our society encourages us to treat others and encourages students to think critically about our choices. Recommended for grades 5-8. Time: 20-45 minutes Common…
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