Subject Lead:
Language Arts
Student Voice is an organization that amplifies student perspectives to change the education system and the world. Read, listen, and analyze one or more of the pieces of student journalism from their website. What are these student journalists focused on? What does their perspective add to the coverage of important topics and events? How can we help amplify student voice in similar ways?
Subject Lead:
Social Studies
Analyze global poverty as a wicked problem. How do we solve a problem that is so historically, economically, and culturally the norm in our world? What steps can individuals take in order to make a difference? Look at how various non-profits are attempting to solve this problem, offering students the chance to praise and critique different actions.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Partner up with another family and analyze each other’s lifestyle. Learn about what they do everyday, their family traditions, and what they enjoy doing. Compare and contrast how this differs from your own. If time, expand this analysis to other families to showcase and celebrate the differences of your classroom community.
Subject Lead:
Science
The way mathematics was applied to study these different concepts was often used to advance science, specifically exploring the Earth. Demonstrate how different mathematical inquiries led to scientific breakthroughs in astronomy, cartography, and oceanography.
Subject Lead:
Language Arts
Showcasing random acts of kindness is a great first step to thinking about the impact one can make on the world. Have students write a simple act they can take today on a note card, sharing this with each other and committing to making a difference.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Designing for disability is a vitally important element of our society. In schools, learning disabilities can often lead to many difficulties, including failure or discipline. Consider, what would your community look like if it centered disabled people? What would you need to account for? What would change? Create a plan that highlights these changes and propose them to your local governance.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Are there economic practices that put cultural or environmental heritage at risk of being damaged or lost? What can be done to mitigate those concerns and preserve our cultural and environmental heritage?
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Analyze how mass media influences peoples’ biases and opinions on controversial issues, and help students cultivate ways to encourage critical thinking about media sources.
Subject Lead:
Connect the ideas in the lesson below to historical inventions. What would a pitch look like for various historical novels: such as the printing press, telephone, or radar? Would all constituents be for their use? Who would be for and against these ideas? Were they accepted during their time?
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Nearly 430 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, making speech and the spoken word difficult to access for about 5% of the global population. There are numerous sign-language alphabets, research which one is used primarily in your community and learn to communicate the basics to improve your ability to interact with deaf and hard of hearing individuals. Alternatively, you can start a sign-language club to encourage others to pick up the language!
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Consider how massive advances in your community have been made as a result of struggle and debate on a certain historical issue. Visit a local library, community center, or community activist and learn about what struggles the community has faced. Then, prepare a presentation on this issue, demonstrating to your peers why compromise is important.
Subject Lead:
Mathematics
This article discusses the ways soft-skills are fostered in mathematics courses, Finding Soft Skills in Mathematics Isn’t As Hard As You Might Think.
Subject Lead:
Science
Consider the various research studies on stereotype threat (ST). Compile this information into an infographic that explains how our views on certain cultures, races, genders, and more, leads to worse overall outcomes for all.
Subject Lead:
Art
Examine one of the philosophies showcased in this lesson. Create a self-portrait that incorporates the stories, fables, meanings, and concepts of this given philosophy, interpreting these ideas into art. Use this artwork to inform and inspire change through understanding and action.
Subject Lead:
Mathematics
Highlight excerpts from “The Art of Code - Dylan Beattie”, which demonstrates how nuanced and creative the field of coding is, and how much it takes to develop the applications that govern much of what we do in the modern world. Have students reflect: how are math and science connected to art?
Subject Lead:
Language Arts
Paraphrase or have students read the article, Here's Why We're Underestimating The Value Of English Majors, and discuss the value of studying English/Language Arts/Humanities at university.
Subject Lead:
Physical Education
Similarly to art, the way one moves one’s body, both in traditional sports as well as dance, highlight the need for rhythm, balance, repetition, and harmony. Examine how these ideas connect across a variety of physical mediums.
Subject Lead:
Social Studies
The Golden Age of Islam was in the same time period as the “Dark Ages”, yet when many refer to this era of history…the Dark Ages is the universal term. Explore why this may be the case and introduce students to ideas of historiography.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
A symbol and gathering spot of one’s local community is often a mural: something that highlights the community, its history and inhabitants. Conceptualize what a mural would look like for your school or local community. What would it include? Make a proposition: is this something you could take on?
Subject Lead:
Language Arts
Use the Credibility Game as a starting point or design your own quiz game to help students understand and evaluate reliable, credible sources.
Subject Lead:
Art
Pick a textile or clothing material (leather, denim, synthetics, etc.)
Make an art campaign surrounding the use of sustainable textiles and cloth by showcases ethical use, economic impact, and environmental impact. Perhaps, utilize the sustainable alternative to create the art display.
Subject Lead:
Physical Education
Conduct a walking tour of your local community. As you explore the city, have students document the concepts in this lesson: third places, green spaces, infrastructure, and more. As you walk around and explore, talk about the highlights of the city, any history you’re aware of, and connect with local residents.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Much of the beauty and understanding of historic, classic languages have been lost to time. “Dead languages”, which are no longer spoken or have morphed into something completely different, still can teach us a lot. Research and present on a dead language, such as Sakhalin or Kuril Ainu.
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Develop a plan to tackle a personal or community challenge. What steps will you need to take in order to get there? What actions can you take within a certain number of weeks to make a difference? Log your progress and take on the challenge!
Subject Lead:
Art
Analyze how various faiths around the world have been heavily tied to art, noticing how many great works have been as a result of faith-based initiatives. Compare the world religion’s different works and how they’re stylistically different.
Subject Lead:
Social Studies
Consider what other factors, especially culturally, which impact people’s lives. For example, this article demonstrates that countries run by women had healthier responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. What other factors influence the city and maintenance of cities, cultures, and society?
Subject Lead:
Mathematics
Play the online free web "game", Spent, to understand how people become homeless. It simulates the decisions that people make (and the catastrophes that happen) that cause homelessness.
Subject Lead:
Physical Education
Consider the impact of stereotypes and biases in regards to gender, disability, race, religion, and more in regards to sports and competitions. Why do people hold these viewpoints? What can be done to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and justly?
Subject Lead:
Any Subject
Research methods of allyship and informing others on positive ways to counteract the stereotype threat, including having conversations, bringing people together, and practicing anti-racism.
Subject Lead:
Mathematics
Highlight an issue in your community, such as funding parks or fixing potholes. Using local news sources, have students conduct a cost-benefit analysis of incorporating these ideas. This can consist of financial data, but also data on how these improvements affect elements of community life.
Subject Lead:
Social Studies
Art has developed overtime, sometimes in hostile ways. Read about the impact of colonization on African art. How did this change what was depicted? And now, in the modern age, globalization has streamlined artistic connections across the entire world. Is this for the better? Or has something been lost?
Subject Lead:
Science
What is Confirmation Bias? How does it influence the way we perceive and accommodate new information that contradicts our pre-existing beliefs? What are examples of Confirmation Bias in modern life and the history of science?