As Alma learns about families, friendships, and communities, she discovers that sometimes challenges and conflicts arise. In those moments, Alma stops and "thinks through" the situation. Then, she knows what to do! Support critical thinking and problem-solving skills with this group discussion, video clips, and Alma's Way visual cards. Practice Alma's, "think through" strategy. This skill can be used throughout the school year in many different situations!

Help your students think critically about the dynamic and changing nature of what it means to be a leader. Below you'll find resources that will assist and encourage your students to explore their value systems, promote positive leadership discussions around school, and embolden your students to think beyond the traditional notions of leadership. Bring these Leadership Principles into your classroom by sharing biographies of influential individuals around the world, watching speeches from world leaders, and discovering supplemental lesson materials to assess understanding and prompt classroom discussion.

In this Web-exclusive interview for FRONTLINE, Jane Elliott discusses her abiding sense that her lesson on bigotry is as necessary today as it was in 1968.

The video compares whole number place values. It offers links to other lessons.

Khan Academy learning modules include a Community space where users can ask questions and seek help from community members. Educators should consult with their Technology administrators to determine the use of Khan Academy learning modules in their classroom. Please review materials from external sites before sharing with students.

Students practice comparing numbers by watching a video and attempting practice problems.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.

For this learning module, students are presented with a set of numbers up to 10,000,000 which they must compare using their knowledge of place value. Includes video demonstrating how to solve a sample problem [0:54] and a set of practice questions.

A free CK-12 account is required to view all materials.

The 12th grade learning experience consists of 7 mostly month-long units aligned to the Common Core State Standards, with available course material for teachers and students easily accessible online. Over the course of the year there is a steady progression in text complexity levels, sophistication of writing tasks, speaking and listening activities, and increased opportunities for independent and collaborative work. Rubrics and student models accompany many writing assignments.Throughout the 12th grade year, in addition to the Common Read texts that the whole class reads together, students each select an Independent Reading book and engage with peers in group Book Talks. Language study is embedded in every 12th grade unit as students use annotation to closely review aspects of each text. Teacher resources provide additional materials to support each unit.

In our lives, we are constantly telling stories to ourselves and to others in an attempt to both understand our experiences and present our best selves to others.  But how do we tell a story about ourselves that is both true and positive? How do we hold ourselves up in the best possible light, while still being honest about our struggles and our flaws? Students will explore ways of interpreting and portraying personal experiences.  They'll read Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart , analyzing the text through the eyes of one character. They'll get to know that character's flaws and strengths, and they'll tell part of the story from that character's perspective, doing their best to tell an honest tale that presents their character's best side. Then they'll explore their own stories, crafting a personal narrative about an important moment of learning in his or her life.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Students read and analyze Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart , viewing the events and conflicts of the novel through the eyes of one of the central characters.
Students write a two-part narrative project: one narrative told through their character’s perspective and one personal narrative about an incident in their own life.

GUIDING QUESTIONS

These questions are a guide to stimulate thinking, discussion, and writing on the themes and ideas in the unit. For complete and thoughtful answers and for meaningful discussions, students must use evidence based on careful reading of the texts.

How do our conflicts shape and show our character?
How can we tell a story about ourselves that’s both honest and positive?
How do definitions of justice change depending on the culture you live in?
What are ways individuals can react to a changing world? To a community that doesn’t accept us?

BENCHMARK ASSESSMENT: Cold Read

During this unit, on a day of your choosing, we recommend you administer a Cold Read to assess students’ reading comprehension. For this assessment, students read a text they have never seen before and then respond to multiple-choice and constructed-response questions. The assessment is not included in this course materials.

Can a person be both admirable and flawed at the same time? In this lesson, students will look more closely at the character of Okonkwo. Students will figure out what his most admirable qualities are, as well as some of his flaws. They will also decide whether Okonkwo has the potential to be a tragic hero.

Explore the concept of absolute value in terms of distances traveled. This video focuses on a real world application of absolute value and visualizes the problem by graphing points on coordinate plane.

Explore the Cherokee oral tradition, highlighting stories passed down through the generations. Included are additional activities for teachers to use in the classroom. [6:02]

This infographic contains six tips to help students think clearly about news media bias, a nuanced and important topic.

Bilal Ansari is an African American father of three and a student in the Islamic Chaplaincy Program at Hartford Seminary. He works tirelessly in the Connecticut prison system, where inmates often convert to Islam, but where he is also the victim of a hate crime perpetrated by some of his co-workers. A lesson plan and discussion guide for teachers are included. [10:38]

Jeneen Robinson is an African American single mother, as well as a newly ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She balances the responsibilities of parenting, schoolwork, and creating an original preaching style. A decision guide and lesson plan for teachers are included. [10:25]

This discussion guide is designed as a tool to facilitate dialogue, and deepen understanding of the complex issues in The Calling, a film that follows seven young Muslims, Catholics, Evangelical Christians, and Jews on a dramatic journey, training to become the next generation of religious leaders. The guide provides important context, and raises thought provoking questions to encourage viewers to think more deeply. We also provide resources and suggestions for areas to take action and to explore in panel discussions, in the classroom, in communities, and online.

This educator guide is designed for young adults on the verge of making important life decisions, defining who they are, and determining how to achieve their hopes and dreams. Short film modules and highly customizable lesson plans allow educators or youth group leaders to spark meaningful dialogue with teens and young adults, and encourage them to develop a richer understanding of themselves and their possible futures.

Rob Pene was born in American Samoa and came to the United States on a baseball scholarship. Unsuccessful in his major-league tryouts, he pursues his passion through an urban ministry. He also writes and performs Christian rap. The sudden death of his father challenges Pene's commitment to his chosen path. A discussion guide and lesson plan for teachers are included. [9:21]

Shmuly Yanklowitz is an intellectual rabbinical student at New York City's Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School and a passionate activist. A Modern Orthodox Jew, he feels compelled to break boundaries, to resist becoming an old-style rabbi stuck within the walls of the synagogue. A lesson plan and discussion guide for teachers are included.

This film tells the story of Steven Gamez who is studying to become a Catholic Priest. Steven is a Tejano (Texan-Mexican), born and raised on San Antonio's rough West Side. He dreams of returning to his neighborhood and serving the poor. A lesson plan and discussion guide for teachers are included. [10:30]

Tahera Ahmad is an outspoken young woman from a traditional Pakistani-American family. She is a coach and mentor for Muslims in high school while studying to be an Islamic chaplain. A trip to Egypt takes her out into the world for the first time, where she reflects on being a leader. A lesson plan and discussion guide for teachers are included. [10:48]