With school starting next week, towns across the state have committed to differing versions of instruction for fall 2020. Some will have students returning to the classroom for in-person instruction. Some will have students exclusively learning from home, or possibly a hybrid of both models. Here are some resources for students, parents, and teachers that may make distance learning even more effective.
It’s Banned Books Week
Every year, libraries, schools, authors, and readers celebrate Banned Books Week, which casts light on the issues of censorship and banning books. Classic novels, like Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (one of the most consistently challenged books) join with comics, young adult novels, and children’s books on the American Library Association’s list of most challenged books. What do you think? Should controversial books be censored? Heartbreaking and hilarious, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 has inspired peals of laughter and tears of frustration. Hear from comedian Seth Myers he discusses his feelings about this once banned novel. Beyond books and media, there’s a looming debate over hate speech and its protection as a first amendment right. In this episode of Above the Noise, ask yourself the question – should hate speech be protected as free speech?Teachers: National security versus the people’s right to know – the Pentagon Papers changed the Vietnam war. This lesson plan from Ken Burns & Lynn Novick: The Vietnam War examines various viewpoints in regard to the legality of the publication of the Pentagon Papers. This new school year is new in a whole lot of ways. Use these Teacher Planning Kits for New School Routines to help navigate this year’s new and changing school routines. Not quite sure how? Join this webinar for using the planning kits.
Did you know that the Sun’s light shines differently on Earth at different times of the year? Watch as the Earth orbits the Sun, rotating, like a slightly tilted, spinning top. This rotation changes the angle at which sunlight hits the surface of our planet, creating the different seasons.
Even if we moved to Mars, we would still have to deal with winter. But lately Mars has been the focus of several new exploration initiatives, with campaigns for colonization from the Mars One project, SpaceX, and several governments around the world. Technology has yet to be invented to build human colonies on Mars, but that doesn’t stop its allure. Should humans colonize Mars?
Expand learners’ global competency by exploring Autumnal Equinox Traditions. Meditating on balance, a visit to an ancestor’s grave, and eating moon cakes all have space in cultural traditions surrounding the Fall. What traditions have you or your learners created?
MEDIA LITERACY is foundational to learning – learners must be able to assess what they are consuming. Tessa Jolls – our gracious partner and the leader of the Center for Media Literacy – shared her thoughts on how to define media literacy, its place in learning today, and a simple framework for deconstructing and constructing media.
THINKALONG is looking for educators like YOU to help us improve our web-based learning service! Watch a short video and take a brief survey for a chance to win one of 50 “Crit Kits” – stuffed with stuff to help your learners practice media literacy and critical thinking skills. But honestly, the over-ear headphones, backpack, and pint glass are the real prize.
Cultures all over the world celebrate a similar holiday, a kind of reflection and renewal. These beautiful pictures share enlightening customs from new year celebrations all over the world:
Holla for some Challah! Even this website looks passed down from grandma, but we all know the best recipes are the classics. Check out this simple recipe for Challah bread, and learn how to pronounce it, too.
MEDIA LITERACY is foundational to learning – learners must be able to assess what they are consuming. Tessa Jolls – our gracious partner and the leader of the Center for Media Literacy – shared her thoughts on how to define media literacy, its place in learning today, and a simple framework for deconstructing and constructing media.
THINKALONG is looking for educators like YOU to help us improve our web-based learning service! Watch a short video and take a brief survey for a chance to win one of 50 “Crit Kits” – stuffed with stuff to help your learners practice media literacy and critical thinking skills. But honestly, the over-ear headphones, backpack, and pint glass are the real prize.
S O C I A L D I S T A N C I N G – To slow the spread of the coronavirus, people are being told to practice social distancing. What is it and why is it so important? Above The Noise is here to help answer those questions and more.
PAINTING YOUR PET! – Being stuck at home can get pretty boring. One way to occupy your time? Get a new hobby! In this video from Hobby Hunting, you’ll learn how to paint your pet stroke by stroke!
DRESS CODES, CODED FOR SEXISM? – Many people argue that dress codes help facilitate a productive learning environment. Others argue that dress codes are often racist or sexist and disproportionately effect people of color and young women. Above The Noise takes a look.
QUESTIONING THE CONSTITUTION – The United States has made a number of changes and/or additions to the Constitution, such as the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote, but should we rewrite the entire constitution? Is it even possible? Thinkalong is here to help you find out!
YOU AND THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER – Are you confident that your privacy is protected online? Check out these tips from Above the Noise and the Electronic Frontier Foundation to make sure you’re staying safe and protected online.
DITCHIN’ ENCRYPTION? – Encrypted phones and messages are meant to keep your private data protected. But in certain cases, they can hinder a criminal investigation by locking away crucial evidence. Should police have the ability to access citizens’ phones when a crime has been committed? Use Thinkalong to decide!
A WORD ON WORDS – Spend a little time getting to know Rep. John Lewis as he discusses his comic book series MARCH, as well as his love for books and libraries, and how they shaped his lifelong fight for equality.
READY PLAYER TWO – Author Ernest Cline recently announced that a sequel to his novel Ready Player One would be coming out later this year. Take a couple minutes to explore and breakdown the first book and its impact on the real world with The Great American Read.
MR. NOT-SO-POPULAR – Two out of the last three presidents lost the popular vote, but won the electoral vote. How can it happen that the person with fewer votes wins an election? It’s called the Electoral College – learn what it is, how it works, and why we have it.
KEEPIN’ THE FAITH – In a recent unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that so-called “faithless electors” must back their states’ popular vote winner in the Electoral College. Learn more about that decision and how this process affected the last presidential election.
THE TRUTH ABOUT MAIL – Mail-in voting has been a hot topic in recent years, but with the U.S. still dealing with COVID-19, the arguments for and against expanding this long-standing practice have ramped up in recent weeks. Learn the truth about voting by mail.
OLD ROOTS, NEW HOPE – Come visit a California farm with How Does It Grow to learn how avocados are both grown and harvested and how farmers are getting through the recent droughts.
GMO LABELING – GO OR NO-GO? – The U.S. passed a law requiring food with genetically modified ingredients to be labelled as such. Critics of the law say being required to label them suggests they’re dangerous. Should we label genetically modified foods? What do you think?
MAMA GMO – Mary Dell Chillton became the mother of genetically modified organisms when she documented how a bacterium transferred some of its DNA into a tobacco leaf. Learn more about this amazing woman in science here.
MESMERIZED BY THE MOON – The moon has always held special significance to humanity. Explore the way the moon has inspired and continues to inspire people in all around the world in this segment from American Experience.
HOME SWEET HOME? – Humans have already visited the moon but without even taking a step on Mars, colonizing the red planet has become a hot topic in recent years. What would it take to get us there and to keep us there? Thinkalong explores this question.
Plastic Free July helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Check out these facts about plastic pollution from Green Peace. Will you be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics?
ALL ALONE – The United States is the only country in the world to leave the Paris Climate Accord, a contract to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Should the U.S. reenter the Paris Climate Accord? What would it take to do so? Thinkalong with us!
NOTHIN’S EVER FREE – You can download a lot of games for free, but once you get inside it’s basically a candy store! If you want a new outfit for your avatar, better powers, or a hint on how to proceed – you’re going to pay. Explore the world of microtransactions and video game addiction with this video.
VIDEO GAMES AND VIOLENCE – Although there is little evidence to suggest that playing violent video games leads to violence like mass shootings, there may be a link between violent video games and minor acts of aggression. Learn the difference between the two with some help from Above The Noise.
THE GREAT GUN DEBATE – If it’s not video games, it’s often the availability of assault rifles being blamed for the rise in mass shootings across the United States. Should these weapons be banned? Would such a ban infringe on people’s 2nd Amendment rights? Learn more and decide for yourself here.
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR – Many southern churches reject LGBTQ+ people, despite 90% of the population being religious. Join Dyllon Burnside as he travels to Jackson, Mississippi to meet an openly gay pastor and explore his journey of acceptance.
DEBATE LIKE SCOTUS: HATE SPEECH – The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution includes “freedom of speech” which the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled includes hate speech. Should hate speech be protected as free speech? Thinkalong with us.
WHO YOU CALLIN’ UGLY?! Using ugly food – like produce that is too big or small, has blemishes or weird colors – prevents food waste and can reduce your environmental impact. America wastes approximately 40% of the produce it grows. See how organizations are helping people who live in food desserts get their hands on wonky produce at incredible prices!
FOOD FIIIIIIIGHT!!! The government requires schools to offer students certain lunch options – a public health maneuver to keep the population well-fed. Some people believe it should be up to the schools, their students, and parents to decide what they eat. What do you think?
Summer has a way of heating things up and one famous summer – Freedom Summer 1964 – brought national attention to civil rights. Discover how the hit song “Dancing in the Street” by Martha and the Vandellas became an anthem for societal change. Plus, learn how a new strategy by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) brought student volunteers to aid civil rights workers in Mississippi in this video from American Experience.
We’ve got the perfect way to chill out this weekend – Watermelon Slushies. It’s the only thing to do during these long hot days of summer.
Many students are readying themselves for college – virtual or otherwise – and many others are saddled with student loan debt. College is undoubtedly good for folks, but it’s pricey! Making college free is an oft-repeated political platform, but is free college as good as it sounds?
Let’s pay attention to the other huge event unfolding all around us – large-scale anti-racist protesting. Protests have played an important role in our society in relation to civil rights and social change. In the midst of large-scale Black Lives Matter protests after continued police violence against Black individuals, critics and supporters alike might wonder what good marching does. You decide — are protests necessary for social change?
Did you know it’s possible to run in space? Node 3 on the International Space Station has a whole suite of exercise equipment, including a treadmill. Yes – a SPACE TREADMILL. Watch Karen Nyberg, an Expedition 37 flight engineer, demonstrate how to run on the COLBERT treadmill in a weightless environment while also explaining some of the engineering behind its design.
Some of us are more into simulated running (think video games) than the stuff that happens on a treadmill or in the great outdoors. Fortunately, this video about the science of running a marathon can help you learn about running without actually having to do it. But if it turns out you DO want to start running, this quick guide on the 3 G’s will do the trick.
Domesticated rabbits – agile beasties or passive furballs? This Nature documentary “Remarkable Rabbits” dives into this tiny animal’s ability to survive against fierce predators and adapt to varied environments. Learn more about rescuing and caring for a domesticated bunny in this Q&A with the House Rabbit Network.
Cat Fact Fever, dun dun dun! I just can’t seem to get enough of cat tongues these days, so while we’re still talking about pets – did you know that Cat tongues are covered in hundreds of body-cooling, moisture-wicking quill pens? (Yes, there’s a video.)
Take a moment to celebrate parents who answer the call to foster and adopt. In this StoryCorps piece, meet ‘Foster Pop’ who has housed more than 50 foster kids in his Brooklyn apartment.
In the Tough Love series, two families describe their experience having children removed from their care, and the work they put in to pull their families back together.
LOCAL RESOURCES: Each state has different processes and laws about fostering and adopting children. You can find some common myths about the process in Connecticut here.
TEACHER RESOURCES: This resource selection from Teaching Tolerance offers guidance on how teachers can be supportive, stabilizing forces in the lives of children in the foster care system, and even has a toolkit for helping foster youth transition out of high school.
Ovarian Psycos is a film about a new generation of fierce, unapologetic, and feminist women of color from the Eastside of Los Angeles who confront injustice, build community, and redefine identity through a raucous, irreverently named bicycle crew: The Ovarian Psycos Cycle Brigade.
LOCAL RESOURCES:
Some Connecticut-based organizations like Bici Co. in Hartford offer mechanic and traffic safety training, reduced-price bikes, and work-based learning programs. Others like Watch For Me CT summarize cycling laws, and provide statistics and safety tips.
TEACHER RESOURCES:
A quick, up-lifting read about a youth-led bike shop in Indiana to inspire you and your students to dream big and go hard. A neighborhood of kids turned their love of bikes and their years spent playing with and learning about them into a functional business that they see going worldwide.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week, we're sharing a few new related resources for parents, caregivers, and educators. We hope they're helpful when speaking with students about what they are experiencing and feeling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mind your Mindfulness. One of the most effective ways to maintain good mental health is through mindfulness. Even 5 minutes can increase positive feelings, calm thoughts, and settle jitters. Practicing every day is basically magic. This short practice from PBS LearningMedia is one of our favorites!
Feeling Lonely? Us too. Haven’t seen your friends in weeks? No high-fives in way too long? You are not alone. This teen-produced newscast shows how teens all over America are dealing with social distancing.
Brainberry pudding? Your diet plays a big role in how you feel and how your brain functions. Fruits, vegetables, fats, and lean proteins all contribute to a well-balanced meal. Check out this strawberry ch-ch-ch-chia seed pudding. They recommend 1 strawberry, but I say add as many as you want.
This week all our snacks are food-themed to pay homage and respect to the glorious snack.
LEARNING SNACKS
Food miles is the distance food is transported from the time of its making until it reaches the consumer. Most foods travel an average of 1,500 miles from farm to plate. What does that mean for the health of humans and the earth? Brad Pitt will help us figure it out!
RRRRRRIDICULOUS BUT RELATED
Sandwich made it to the safety of the microwave, but did he get there in time to save his friends from food gone bad? Check out this Film School Short to find out how it ends!
REAL-LIFE SNACKS
Try out these fudgey-wudgey freezer treats to satisfy your next snack attack.
Feeling salty? Cut. Toss. Bake. Nom. These sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo are better than the ones you used to get at restaurants.
MORE SNACKS, PLS!
Genetically modified foods have been a topic of controversy for years. Use Thinkalong to find reliable information and prepare to debate: Should we label genetically modified foods?
