10 Middle School Movies for Teaching SEL in the Classroom
This lesson highlights ten films that serve as effective tools for teaching social and emotional learning (SEL). Each movie, from “Inside Out” to “Eighth Grade,” addresses various aspects of emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication, providing valuable insights into understanding oneself and others. By engaging with these films, viewers can foster discussions around important SEL themes such as kindness, acceptance, and resilience.
Digital Compass Introduction
In the lesson “Welcome to Anywhere,” students are introduced to a fictional place where kids navigate everyday life, making decisions that impact their stories. By stepping into the shoes of these characters, learners are encouraged to think critically about the consequences of their choices, exploring how even small decisions can lead to significant outcomes. Through the interactive platform Digital Compass, students can engage with these scenarios, enhancing their understanding of decision-making and its effects on their lives and the lives of others.
ReadWorks in 30 Seconds
The lesson introduces ReadWorks, an online resource that supports English Language Arts education by providing a diverse collection of free texts and educational materials for students from kindergarten to high school. It highlights key features such as vocabulary guides, Lexile levels, and comprehension questions, while also noting limitations in customization and integration of older resources. Overall, ReadWorks serves as a valuable tool for educators to enhance their curriculum and monitor student progress.
Storybird in 30 Seconds
The lesson introduces Storybird, an engaging platform that allows users to create their own storybooks, picture books, and poems using a library of artwork and words. It emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the tool, enabling friends to work together on stories, while also highlighting its usefulness for teachers in assigning and grading projects. Overall, Storybird serves as a creative outlet for both students and educators, fostering imagination and teamwork in storytelling.
PBS NewsHour Classroom: Venerable, Non-partisan News Brand Offers Daily Videos, Discussions
PBS NewsHour Classroom is a valuable educational tool that helps students understand current events and important global topics through trusted news coverage. It offers resources such as daily news lessons, discussion questions, and videos, including student-created content, making it an engaging way to learn about journalism and media literacy. With a variety of topics available, this free resource encourages critical thinking and exploration of the news in an accessible manner.
9 Great Documentaries for Middle School Classrooms
The lesson highlights nine impactful documentaries that are ideal for students, each offering valuable lessons and insights. From inspiring stories of resilience, like Malala Yousafzai’s journey and Jessica Cox’s advocacy, to important social issues addressed in films like “Bully” and “Girl Rising,” these documentaries encourage critical thinking and empathy among viewers. Overall, they serve as powerful tools for education and discussion in the classroom.
MobyMax in 30 Seconds
MobyMax is an engaging online platform designed to enhance learning in subjects like math, reading, science, and social studies. It personalizes education by assessing students’ knowledge and tailoring lessons accordingly, while also providing teachers with tools to track progress and set goals. The platform encourages independent learning through interactive lessons, games, and quizzes, making education both fun and effective.
TypingClub in 30 Seconds
TypingClub is an engaging program designed to help users improve their typing skills through a game-like experience, available for free with optional paid ad-free access. It is accessible on various devices, allowing students to learn at their own pace, while teachers can track progress and customize lessons to meet individual needs. Mastering typing is essential for efficiency in various computer-related tasks, making TypingClub a valuable tool for both students and educators.
Parenting in a Digital Age
The lesson on “Parenting in a Digital Age” emphasizes the importance of navigating technology’s opportunities and challenges while ensuring children’s well-being. Key strategies include assessing children’s health and social connections, creating family media agreements to set expectations around device use, and fostering open communication about media habits. The lesson encourages parents to model positive technology use and engage in ongoing discussions to promote healthy digital practices.
NexGen News: Looking for Video Newscasts for Your Classroom?
In this lesson, Bianca and Tanner introduce Next Gen News, a video newscast platform designed for students in grades three to eight, which offers engaging content on current events presented by young hosts. While it has potential and provides valuable resources like lesson plans and quizzes, it is primarily suited for grades six to eight due to its reading level. The platform allows a free 60-day trial, after which it costs approximately $239 per year, making it a unique tool for educators looking to incorporate multimedia learning in their classrooms.