In January, we celebrate National #BrailleLiteracy Month to raise awareness about literacy skills for people with visual impairments. On the third Monday of the month, AmericCorps and The King Center partner with countless local, state, and national groups to organize the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (#MLKDay) as a means of enacting Dr. King’s dream of a Beloved Community. We also celebrate National #MentoringMonth in January, facilitated by the nonprofit organization MENTOR to promote the positive impact of mentors on young people and the power of relationships.

National Braille Literacy Month

Online Resources

12 things you probably don’t know about braille | Perkins School for the Blind - Did you know there are two versions of braille or that braille can be used to write almost any language? Find out how many volumes Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is in braille, what the Braille Challenge is, and other trivia facts to share this month!

ABCBraille - Developed by a parent to support other parents and teachers as their kids learn braille. Older children would enjoy exploring the Text to Braille and Braille to Text tools!

Braille | American Foundation for the Blind - A great resource for sighted parents and teachers looking to support children who are blind or visually impaired learning braille.

Braille BugⓇ - Published by the American Printing House for the Blind, this is a great introductory resource for parents and teachers of primary and elementary-age children! Includes information about braille, online games, and printable activities.

Is Braille Still Relevant in a High-Tech World? - A 5 minute video from the Perkins School for the Blind, highlighting secondary students and adults describing the significance of braille in their lives.

How Braille was invented: Moments of Vision 9 - Jessica Oreck - A two minute TEDEd video detailing the origins of braille, along with resources to explore and a prompt to discuss.

The power and possibilities of braille: A community conversation with Matthew Shifrin - In this webinar from Career Launch @ Perkins, Brian Switzer (author, deafblind athlete, and Assistive Tech Instructor) and Matthew Shifrin (podcaster, entrepreneur, and founder of Lego for the Blind) talk about why braille matters in the 21st century.

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Online Resources

Civil Rights Done Right: A Tool for Teaching the Movement - A Learning for Justice guide for teachers to reflect on their current practice of teaching about the civil rights movement. Provides tools to guide students toward a more complete, nuanced, and relevant understanding of the movement.

Do’s and Don’ts of Celebrating MLK Day - Learning for Justice provides practical advice inspired by Coretta Scott King’s vision of MLK Day in three areas: classroom displays, curriculum, and discussions. Applicable for families who desire to have meaningful discussions about Dr. King’s legacy as well!

Freedom’s Ring - Listen to Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech while exploring multimedia images and learning about its historical context. Interactive and engaging, with a plethora of information!

MLK Day of Service | AmeriCorps - Find a volunteer opportunity near you, register your volunteer opportunity for others, or explore resources to start your own service project.  

Students with King Virtual Tour | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change - A 14-minute video tour of the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Dr. and Mrs. King’s crypt, and Dr. King’s birth home by MLK National Historical Park Ranger Marty Smith. Students will enjoy the many anecdotes about Dr. King at different ages!

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National Mentoring Month

Online Resources

Best Practices for Mentoring Youth with Disabilities - Use this guidebook from the National Mentoring Resource Center to ensure your mentoring program is inclusive and supportive of youth with disabilities.  Includes an overview of the impact of mentoring youth with disabilities, examples of mentoring models, and best practices for supporting mentors and mentees throughout the process.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America - The largest volunteer-supported mentoring network in the country, developing positive relationships between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and youth ages 5 through young adulthood (“Littles”) through community-based and school-based programs. Check out Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, of Cumberland & Salem Counties to get involved locally.

How Having Mentors Can Help Kids Who Learn and Think Differently - A resource from Understood for parents of children who learn and think differently, explaining the benefits of mentorship, types of mentors, and how to find a mentor for their child.

Mentoring | Partners for Youth with Disabilities - Free, online mentoring for young adults (ages 18-26) with disabilities across the United States who are interested in career readiness support. Participants are selected through an application process and will have access to a group of professional mentors and monthly virtual workshops.

National Mentoring Month - Use MENTOR’s toolkits to engage your public officials, corporation, digital sphere of influence, or local media channels with the mentoring movement. Other resources include a wheel of inspiration, a process for finding local mentoring opportunities, videos, and their multimodal resource for mentors: “Becoming a Better Mentor.”

Setting Up a Mentoring Program to Encourage Students | Edutopia - Discover how one high school teacher created a classroom mentoring program and its positive impact on students.

Students Teaching Advocacy through Mentoring Program (STAMP) | LDANJ - STAMPNJ wants to "stamp out" feelings of shame and lack of information about learning disabilities through student mentoring for elementary through postsecondary students. Student leaders share about their own disabilities, the importance of self-advocacy, and the value of assistive technology in their lives, empowering their mentees to recognize, accept, and understand their learning disability; cultivate self-advocacy and communication skills; and build self-esteem and confidence.

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This month, we honor African Americans during #BlackHistoryMonth (#BMH) by celebrating their lives, their contributions to the world, and the record-making history they forged! We also recognize the benefits of career and technical education (#CTE) by celebrating Career & Technical Education Month (#CTEMonth). As part of our monthly celebrations, we join others across our community in practicing Random Acts of Kindness (#RAK) during the week of February 12th-18th, 2023 to transform schools, families, and society through kindness and #MakeKindessTheNorm.

Black History Month

Online Resources

4 STEAM Classroom Activities to Celebrate Black History Month | Ozobot - Engage your students with a variety of projects and activities that will increase their knowledge of African Americans.  

Black History Month - National Geographic provides a resource library of articles, videos, activities, maps, and photography lessons to engage your students on the topic of Black History. See National Geographic Kids for elementary school-aged information.

Celebrating and Learning about Black History and Culture - Explore this source by Reading Rockets that highlights children’s books; interviews with Black authors, illustrators, poets, and storytellers; activities for the classroom, home, and community; online history resources; and powerful documentaries that center the lives and contributions of African Americans.

Highlighting African Americans with Disabilities in Honor of Black History Month | RespectAbility - Reflect on the realities and challenges that continue to shape the lives of African Americans with disabilities.  Learn about Black Americans with disabilities and their significant contributions to the world.

Kids Explain Black History Month | Global Citizen - A video of students explaining Black History Month from their individual perspectives.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Learning Lab Collections - Explore objects, documents, imagery, and videos that tell American history through the African American lens while enhancing content knowledge, honing historical thinking skills, and inspiring users to see themselves as agents of change. Explore the featured series or search all collections using a keyword.

PBS Learning Media | Black History Month | PBS KIDS - This video provides a brief overview of why we celebrate Black History Month and introduces some legendary African Americans.

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Career & Technical Education Month

Online Resources

Best Job Ever - This National Geographic playlist of short videos explores a variety of lesser known professions that secondary students would find intriguing. For elementary students, check out a similar playlist by National Geographic Kids!

Biofab Explorer - A collaborative project of CAST, ARMI, and CTE schools, industry partners, and colleges. Use this tool to learn about biofabrication, how this exciting new field is growing, and the wide-range of careers available! Resources include videos and text on the biofabrication process, case studies, career profiles, career clusters, and key terms.

Career and Technical Education | NJDOE - Information of the statewide implementation of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Career Exploration | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Engaging interface for students in grades 4-12 as they explore possible careers.  Careers are grouped by categories; click on a career of interest to visit its entry in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which includes a career summary, videos, and other pertinent information. A similar US BLS resource, the Periodic Table of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Occupations, focuses solely on STEM careers.

CareerOneStop Video Library - Explore short videos featuring hundreds of different occupations (also available in Spanish), eight broader career clusters/industries, and over twenty career-centered skills and abilities. This is a great resource to reference with your children or students as they begin to consider what career path they may want to pursue!

CTE Month and NASA Hunch 2022-2023 Student Video Challenge | ACTE - Students in CTE or project-based classes across grade levels (elementary through postsecondary) may participate. This year’s challenge is “What is the purpose of NASA?”

High School Opportunities | Career Tech NJ - Provides information about New Jersey’s county vocational-technical schools, their programs, and frequently asked questions.

New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) -  Provides interactive tools for exploring one’s interests and skills, occupations, training programs, and postsecondary education. Free sign in as a New Jersey resident; schools can request free accounts for their students as well.

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Random Acts of Kindness Week  (Feb. 12-18, 2023)

Online Resources

15 Kindness Quotes for Kids | Inspire Kindness - Motivate your students to build kindness in their daily lives with these inspiring quotes.

Kindness in the Classroom | Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - Get inspired with kindness ideas, quotes, videos, and stories, along with free posters and calendars! Educators can find free CASEL-approved lesson plans and resources for K-12th grades. There are also activities and discussion topics for families of all ages in the free Kindness at Home program.

Kindness Playbook | Character Lab - This playbook defines kindness, explains its importance, offers a reflective exercise, and details how to encourage kindness in others through modeling, celebration, and planning. Includes a classroom poster and slides for teachers.

Random Acts of Kindness in School | Edutopia - Five simple ideas to promote kindness in your classroom across all grade levels.

The Science of Kindness | Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - Learn about the science behind kindness that makes it so important.

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This month, we promote inclusion in all aspects of life through #WorldDownSyndromeDay on the 21st and National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (#DDAM). We recognize the strength, determination, and contributions of influential people and their movements during #DeafHistory Month and #WomensHistoryMonth. We also focus our attention on the importance of music and art by celebrating Music in Our Schools Month® (#MIOSM) and #YouthArtMonth.

World Down Syndrome Day

Online Resources

Chromosomes R Us - This short film in celebration of World Down Syndrome Day is by actors with Down Syndrome and explains how Trisomy 21 occurs. It was created by Shabang Inclusive Learning in partnership with Mediapreview.

Educators | Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas - Find resource downloads for teachers in their classroom. Peer presentations inform you and your students about students with Down Syndrome. 

Just Like You - Down Syndrome -  A video by Just Like You, Inc. about how individuals with Down Syndrome want to be treated and how they participate and interact in general daily activities. This video follows the Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

World Down Syndrome Day - Check out this year’s campaign for World Down Syndrome Day, learn about Down Syndrome from individuals with Down Syndrome, and explore ways to take action.

Q&A For Kids - The National Down Syndrome Society offers a brief Q & A geared for children about Down Syndrome. You can also find information and further details about Down Syndrome. NDSS also provides parent support to questions you could be pondering.

LRC-South Resources

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National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Online Resources

Art Enables - Art Enables strives to create opportunities for artists with disabilities to make, market, and earn income from their artwork and take their place as an invaluable part of the arts community through their studio art program and gallery. Check out this introductory video of what they do and then explore the different artists and exhibitions!

Best Buddies in New Jersey - A nonprofit organization built on the four pillars of one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Hear what those who have been matched in the Best Buddies Friendship program have to say about it in this video!

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - NACDD - Explore resources that highlight the celebration and inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities. Their annual resource guide includes organizations, videos, podcast episodes, social media tips and exemplars, texts and toolkits, and events.

Hiring People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities- Understood - This three part series explains what to know about hiring, recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and why doing so is beneficial to your organization.

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities - The NJCDD engages in advocacy, collaboration, and education to fulfill their vision that all individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are participating, equally-included members of their communities. Get involved by participating in one of their programs or special projects, reading their quarterly magazine, attending a virtual meeting, or browsing their list of resources!

Thriving with Learning & Thinking Differences - Understood - A playlist of short videos in which individuals share their experiences of thriving with learning or thinking differences.

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Deaf History Month

Online Resources

#deafhistoryTHAT | National Association of the Deaf - A playlist of videos describing different topics, events, and people throughout Deaf History. Transcript and closed captioning available for those unfamiliar with ASL.

DEAF MOSAIC #402 | Described and Captioned Media Program - An episode of the Emmy-winning TV series that depicts the Deaf President Now movement of 1988, which was a watershed moment in Deaf history resulting in the first deaf president of Gallaudet University. For more resources by DCMP, check out their Deaf History page.

Finding Pictures: Deaf History Month - A webinar from the Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division showcasing photographs and prints of Deaf people, notable figures, education, careers, and activities.  See the corresponding post outlining a few images discussed, as well as the Teacher’s Guides and Analysis Tool from the Library of Congress that would be helpful when analyzing any kind of primary source with students.

Helen Keller: Author, Advocate, and Activist - A PBS Learning Media lesson plan for grades 3-7 in which students learn about Helen Keller’s accomplishments and advocacy work through viewing a short video, examining photographs, and reading excerpts of her autobiography. Includes discussion questions, learning activities, and resources for background information.

History Through Deaf Eyes Online Exhibit | Gallaudet University - An online exhibit highlighting significant aspects of Deaf history and culture, including the formation of a community; language and identity; community building; and awareness, access, and change. Photographs and primary source documents are included throughout.

How 11 Deaf Men Helped Shape NASA’s Human Spaceflight Program - A feature article by NASA History describing the significant contributions of the “Gallaudet Eleven” in NASA’s understanding of space survival. Check out the Deaf Difference + Space Survival Exhibit Video from the National Deaf Life Museum at Gallaudet University as well!

Sign Language that African Americans Use is Different from that of Whites | Washington Post - Explains the historical development of ASL and Black ASL and explores the diversity present within Deaf culture.

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Women’s History Month

Online Resources

Because of Her Story - Explore the untold stories of American women through the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History initiative in preparation for their future American Women’s History Museum. Get inspired with stories, find topics and themes of interest, browse Smithsonian’s collections, or attend virtual events. 

Students and Educators | National Women's History Museum - Explore biographies of influential women, historical topics, downloadable posters, and educational resources. Browse their digital classroom resources by type, topic, and/or grade level.

Women in Culture | Google Arts & Culture - Explore historical and present-day women’s contributions in all aspects of STEM, as well as other cultural arenas such as business, sports, music, art, politics, education, and pop culture.  Scroll to the bottom for downloadable lesson plans!

Women Making Change - Smithsonian’s series of short videos that highlighting the ways in which women have worked together to change their communities; also available in Spanish. See the corresponding webinar, Women’s History in Five Minutes or Less: Celebrating Hidden Stories You May Not Know, for instructional strategies on incorporating the video series into your classroom.

Women’s History: Famous Women - Through articles, timelines, and videos, History.com covers historical milestones and women who pioneered to contribute honorable notions for society and the world. 

Women's History Month - Curated resources for teachers from the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and Smithsonian Institution.

Women's Rights National Historical Park - This U.S. National Park’s website offers information about the Declaration of the Sentiments, which was shared at the Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, and other resources on the important people, places, and stories of the women’s rights movement. Check out their virtual tours and distance learning programs as well!

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Music in Our Schools Month

Online Resources

14 musicians who learn and think differently | Understood - Learn about fourteen famous singers, songwriters, and performers who’ve reached musical heights with challenges like dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia.

Chrome Music Lab - The Chrome Music Lab makes learning music more hands-on and can be applied to all subjects. Here you will find more than a dozen different musical activities. Students can create their own song, draw a picture that embodies music note-by-note, and more!

Inclusive Practices You Can Incorporate into Your Ensemble Rehearsals | Classical Music Indy - Practical ways to support differing abilities, make accommodations and modifications, and develop activities and spaces that promote the inclusion of neurodiverse students, students with disabilities, and students who need extra support in your music program.

Learn | New Jersey Symphony Orchestra - Go on an interplanetary adventure, embark on a digital safari, and experience rare instruments with NJSO musicians as your guide! Explore their pro tips and masterclasses as well.  While here, enjoy videos featuring student musicians and their experiences in the NJS Youth Orchestra Spotlights.

Move to Include: The Arts & Music - A collection by PBS LearningMedia designed for grades 5-13+. These short videos and related activities promote inclusion for people with disabilities and center the voices and experiences of people with disabilities in music and the arts.

Music In Our Schools Month® (MIOSM®) | National Association for Music Education - The official website for Music In Our Schools Month® will guide you through resources and ways to celebrate music education this month.

Smithsonian Jazz | National Museum of American History - The Smithsonian offers an entire section on jazz and delves into the history of jazz.  Short stories, audio clips, and videos feature Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, and John Levy. In addition, Groovin’ to Jazz includes original recordings with lesson plans designed for intermediate level (ages 8-13) and middle level (ages 12-15) students.

TeachRock -A nonprofit open educational resource for teachers of all disciplines seeking to be culturally responsive by incorporating popular music in their lessons as source materials. Browse special collections and unit plans or filter lessons by grades, subjects, genres, activities, and topics. Requires free registration to fully access materials. Includes student-facing materials as well.

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Youth Art Month

Online Resources

Best Practice Lessons - Lesson plans by Art Education of New Jersey’s Division Award Winners, spanning all grade levels. The AENJ has many other resources for educators, including Art21 and ArtBeat.

How Art Helped a Struggling Student Better Understand Himself | Understood - A short video of Marcos Allen, the winner of the 2017 Anne Ford Scholarship from the National Center for Learning Disabilities, as he describes how he discovered his artistic talent and the confidence it gave him.

Learning Disabilities and the Arts by the National Center for Learning Disabilities - LDOnline provides an overview of the benefits of incorporating the arts into educational experiences for students with learning disabilities.

Move to Include: The Arts & Music - A collection by PBS LearningMedia designed for grades 5-13+. These short videos and related activities promote inclusion for people with disabilities and center the voices and experiences of people with disabilities in the arts and music.

Studio Access Video Library | UpStream Arts - Short arts-learning videos for people of all ages and abilities. Filter by artistic discipline, language (including ASL, English, Somali and Spanish), and social skill!

Visual Art - A collection of resources from PBS Learning Media to support art education. Filter by resource type (including videos, interactives, lesson plans, and media galleries), grade level (preK-13+), and topic within visual art. For non-art educators, check out the “Visual Art and Other Domains” to learn how to incorporate art into your content area.

What You Need to Know about Inclusive Education in the Art Room - The Art of Education University provides an overview of laws related to special education and their impact on the art classroom, with numerous examples and resources for supporting inclusive art education.

Youth Art Month - AENJ will be posting results from the 2023 Youth Art Month Design Contest, as well as suggested activities to celebrate YAM. The 2023 theme is “Your Art, Your Voice.”

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Kicking off the month is #AutismAcceptance Month, with World Autism Day on April 2nd. Check out #LightUpwithKindness, #LightItUpBlue, and #WorldAutismMonth to be part of this important conversation globally and #AustismNJAmbassador and #shapingthefuture to learn more about what’s happening in New Jersey for #autismawareness. Then, let’s celebrate young children during Week of the Young Child® (#WOYC) from April 2nd - 8th (#WOYC23) with daily themes of movement, music, food, art, and collaboration. This month we also honor the contributions of Arab Americans through National #ArabAmericanHeritageMonth; promote environmental education and ways to #InvestInOurPlanet on #EarthDay (April 22nd); and appreciate the creative work of poets during #NationalPoetryMonth and Poem in Your Pocket Day (#pocketpoem) on April 29th!

Autism Acceptance Month

Online Resources

Amazing Kids - Autistic Spectrum Condition (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) by Amazing Things Project - Watch an animated video based on interviews of autistic children from different backgrounds describing their unique experiences and how they want to be treated by others.

A nonspeaking valedictorian with autism gives her college’s commencement speech | NPR - A news article putting the spotlight on Rollins College’s 2022 valedictorian, Elizabeth Bonker. Watch Bonker’s commencement speech and read about her experiences, heroes, and future plans.

Autism-Friendly Events in the Community | Autism New Jersey - Discover how community organizations and businesses are learning about autism, training their staff, and providing options to accommodate patrons with ASD. Local examples are included with tips for hosts.

Autism New Jersey Ambassador Program - Autism New Jersey’s campaign to increase awareness, education, understanding, and compassion for autistic individuals and their families. Explore resources and ideas for engaging your community, such as your local police department, neighborhood, workplace, and local government. Check out the educator resources, social media toolkit, and Fact-a-Day Calendar as well!

Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) - A nonprofit organization run by and for autistic individuals that fights for disability rights and empowers the autistic community to amplify their voices through policy and legal advocacy, educational resources, advocacy tools, and leadership training. Learn more about the importance of Identity-First Language.

PL Shorts: Neurodiversity Informational Series with Amy Accardo | LRC-South - In this series of four short videos, Dr. Amy Accardo explores the question: What is neurodiversity? Learn about language usage and definitions, the importance of self-advocacy, and strategies to improve executive functioning skills.

Welcome to the Autistic Community - This website features a book by ASAN for autistic people who want to learn what being autistic means and non-autistic people who want to learn how to support autistic people.  Read online or download for free.

World Autism Awareness Day | Autism Speaks - Participate in World Autism Awareness Day by taking the pledge to create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential, joining a Kindness Campaign, or wearing blue. Information is also available in Spanish.

LRC-South Resources

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Week of the Young Child® - NAEYC

Online Resources

Cooking with Preschoolers | KidsHealth - Discover the benefits of cooking with preschoolers, ideal jobs in the kitchen for little ones, and tips for getting started on your family cooking adventure.

DREME Family Math: Cooking - Recipes with tips to help families talk about math while cooking together.  Many of the math talk tips can be adapted to use with your family’s favorite recipes as well! Filter by age level to find the most appropriate recipes and tips for your current family’s needs.

Early Literacy Development | Reading Rockets - Resources for parents, teachers, and childcare providers to support the development of oral language and pre-literacy skills. Explore featured videos, a PBS Series, FAQs, articles, professional development webcasts, and milestone checklists.

LRC-South Learning Activities - Explore our Learn & Create activities with your child! Each hands-on activity comes with ready-to-print instructions and a short video tutorial. 

Practice Improvement Tools: Using the DEC Recommended Practices | ECTA - The DEC Recommended Practices provide guidance for families and practitioners to promote the development of young children who have or are at-risk for developmental delays or disabilities. Explore practice guides with videos, vignettes, and checklists that explain these practices and how to implement them at home or in your community. Each guide is also available in Spanish.

Resources for Families | STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Center - Evidence-based resources, tips, and ideas that enable young children with disabilities to engage in STEM experiences.  Resources include storybook conversations, discovery play activities, daily routine explorations, video demos, and a guide to adaptations.

Week of the Young Child® | NAEYC - Read an overview about the weeklong celebration and explore curated ideas and resources for each day. Theme days include Kick-off Saturday, Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, Artsy Thursday, and Family Friday.

Your Quick Guide to Family Projects: A Home-School Connection Booster for Early Ed | Brookes - Examples, tips, and a free download to help early childhood educators incorporate family projects successfully.

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National Arab American Heritage Month

Online Resources

Arab American Heritage Month Webinar: Immigrant to EL Instructor - A recorded webinar from TESOL International Association in which Fatima Aldajani and Rana Samanie share their personal experiences as English students who became English Language (EL) educators. They cover topics such as misconceptions, misrepresentation, immigration, cultural competency, language development, immersion, self-awareness, and family engagement.

Arab American Stories | Detroit Public TV - Each episode in this series features the stories of three Arab Americans around a common theme, such as innovators, artists, or civic leaders. The website also includes accompanying lesson plans for grades 9-12, information on Arab American history and prominent figures, and additional resources for further exploration.

Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month | Learning for Justice - Resources that support educators in celebrating Arab identity, countering negative stereotypes, and teaching about Arab history and cultures.

For Educators | Arab American National Museum (AANM) - The AANM seeks to tell the Arab American story by highlighting economic, political, and cultural contributions of Arab Americans, their history, and the shared experiences of diverse immigrants. Explore virtual galleries, educational activities, lesson plans, English-Arabic Storytime, and more!

How Teachers Can Support Arab-American Students | Cult of Pedagogy (Episode 185) - Jennifer Gonzalez interviews Dr. Sawsan Jaber about Arab-American students’ sense of belonging in school and how educators can better support them through a more inclusive environment.  Listen to the interview (transcript provided) or read the summary of the most important takeaways.

National Arab American Heritage Month | Arab America - Read about the history of NAAHM and find educational resources that promote greater understanding of Arab migration, geography, language, diversity, traditions, and achievements. The Educator’s Curriculum Kit includes a ready-to-use presentation with review questions!

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Earth Month

Online Resources

52 Ways to Invest in Our Planet | Earthday.org - Actions and tips that will help your family make a difference, on Earth Day and everyday! Ideas include ways to engage in community clean-ups, citizen science projects, and advocacy efforts, as well as ways to learn about environmental issues and develop earth-friendly habits.

Celebrate Earth Day | PBS Learning Media - Videos, articles, interactives, activities, and lesson plans on environmental justice and conservation efforts, generally geared toward middle school through high school students. To fully access these resources, you will need to make a free account.

Environmental Education Resources | NEEF - Browse educator toolkits, educational activities and activities guides for home or the classroom, and infographics by the National Environmental Education Foundation.  Consider additional resources by the Cornell Lab, Project Learning Tree, and NEEF initiatives such as the Greening STEM Hub or Samsung Climate Superstars.

History of Earth Day | National Geographic Kids - Learn a brief history of Earth Day and engage in activities to protect the planet throughout the year. Additional links throughout the article provide the opportunity to dive deeper into a variety of environmental topics.

Learning and Teaching about the Environment | EPA -  Educators will appreciate this collection of lesson plans, teacher guides, online resources, community service project ideas, and science fair project ideas.  Students can learn about different environmental topics and enjoy a variety of games, quizzes, and videos.

New Jersey Climate Change Education Hub - An online hub of interactive media, learning activities, student news articles on differentiated reading levels, lesson plans, and other resources that have been reviewed by teachers, approved by scientists, and aligned to New Jersey Student Learning Standards to integrate climate change education across grade levels and content areas.

NJ Climate Change Education Instructional Resources | NJSLS Instructional Supports (NJDOE) - Sample activities, lesson plans, and units for K-12 educators that are standards-based, student-centered, action-oriented, culturally responsive, and inclusive.

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National Poetry Month

Online Resources

Amanda Gorman, Youth Poet Laureate, has speech and auditory processing issues - A biographical article by Understood on Amanda Gorman, describing her experiences in school and her journey to becoming the nation’s first Youth Poet Laureate in 2017.

April is National Poetry Month! - A collection of resources from ReadWriteThink with classroom activities, websites, lesson plans, student interactives, and professional development opportunities.

Favorite Poem Project | Boston University - Short videos of Americans reading a poem they love and explaining its significance in their lives.

National Poetry Month | Academy of American Poets - The home page for this annual celebration, with a list of ideas and resources for families and educators to join the celebration online, at home, and in the (virtual or physical) classroom. Teachers will appreciate Teach this Poem featuring poems accompanied by interdisciplinary primary sources and activities, while families will enjoy Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Poems at Home - Reading Rockets briefly explains the benefits of sharing poetry with your children, along with how to plan a family poetry! Also available in Spanish.

Poets for Science | Traveling Stanzas - Launched on Earth Day 2017, Poets for Science is a traveling exhibit exploring the connection between science and poetry. View the collection online and have students participate by using Gary Snyder’s For All as a model poem for their own poetic pledge to the scientific community or scientific methods.

The Poetry Learning Lab | Poetry Foundation - Curated resources for children, teens, adults, and educators, including poems, videos, articles, featured poets, podcasts, poem guides, and more!

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about poets and enjoy their creative works, explore this curated list of resources for families and educators.

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We honor students with disabilities and those who support them during Special Education Week in New Jersey, celebrated annually during the second week of May. Throughout the month, we advocate for Better Hearing and Speech (#BSHM), as well as Mental Health Awareness (#MHAM). May is also the time to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage (#APAHM) and promote #PhysicalActivity during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month!

Special Education Week in New Jersey

Online Resources

ASAH - Information about special education services in New Jersey for teachers, administrators, parents, school districts, and state administrators. Includes a preschool guide and video advocacy series for parents, as well as links to state and federal government agencies, national disability-related sites, and New Jersey disability organizations.

New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education - NJCIE supports inclusive education for all students with disabilities and strives to build sustainable inclusive communities through advocacy, integrity, collaboration, and expertise. Their annual Inclusion Works Poster Contest typically launches during National Inclusive Schools Week in December and runs through the end of May. They also provide resources and services for parents, educators, and school districts.

New Jersey Department of Education: Special Education - Find a variety of information on special education policies and procedures, as well as resources and opportunities to learn more about topics such as NJ Tiered System of Supports, Person-Centered Approaches in Schools and Transition, and Universal Design for Learning.

NJCEC - The NJ Chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children offers a newsletter, events, and resources for educational professionals. It also provides Awards and Scholarships for students and teachers.  Some resources are for members only. 

SPAN Parent Advocacy Network - SPAN is the New Jersey Affiliate of Parent to Parent USA, dedicated to giving families the skills and support they need to help their children with disabilities reach their full potential. Services include informative materials, webinars, in-person and online trainings, conferences, one-on-one assistance and more. Find your local parent group here.

Special Education Week - Since 2002, the NJSBA has partnered with ASAH to recognize imaginative and effective programs for special needs students with the  “Innovations in Special Education '' awards program.  Learn about this year’s award winners and discover resources to celebrate Special Education Week in New Jersey.

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about current issues and best practices in special education, explore this curated list of resources.

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Better Hearing and Speech Month

Online Resources

Better Hearing and Speech Month - ASHA offers free templates, social media graphics, public service announcements, infographics, and consumer education handouts to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment.

Identify the Signs - A campaign by ASHA that aims to educate the public about the warning signs of speech-language disorders and hearing loss. They provide resources on early identification, treatment, and support, as well as resources to help spread the word social media.

May Is Better Hearing and Speech Month | Noisy Planet - Noise-induced hearing loss typically develops slowly over time. Noisy Planet provides preteens, as well as their parents, caregivers, and educators, with tools and information to adopt healthy hearing habits. Learn more about What Parents Can Do to Protect Kids’ Hearing, explore their Teacher Toolkit, or watch a video about the Journey of Sound to the Brain.

Teacher Resources | Speech and Hearing BC - A list of resources to assist teachers in understanding communication disorders, providing support to parents, and developing early literacy. Articles, a toolkit, and other information is available.

Top 10 Resources on Speech, Language and Hearing | Reading Rockets - Discover the significance of early language, listening, and speaking on literacy development. If you believe a student is not advancing appropriately with speech, language, and/or hearing problems, learn more about testing and accommodations. You'll also find strategies on reading aloud with children who have speech and language problems.

Your Ear Gear and Hearing Health - An article from ENThealth that provides a brief history of the development of ear gear such as headphones, statistics on their use, and tips for preserving your hearing, promoting good ear health, and staying safe.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources that support language, speaking, and listening skills, click here.

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Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Online Resources

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S. |EDSITEment! - A teacher’s guide offering a collection of lessons and resources for K-12 social studies, literature, and arts classrooms that center the experiences, achievements, and perspectives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout U.S. history. Includes topics such as immigration, the model minority myth, cultural legacies, poetry, media and film, and civics education.

Asian Americans | PBS LearningMedia - Asian Americans is a five-hour film series on the history, identity, contributions, and challenges of Asian Americans. Browse over thirty lesson plans based on this series for grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 exploring the ways that Asian Americans have shaped our nation’s history.

Asian Pacific American Heritage - Selected resources for teachers from the Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution. Explore exhibits, collections, audio recordings, videos, and images all honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Cultures - Explore AAPI history, arts, and cultures in the U.S. through Google Arts & Culture.

Teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage | Learning for Justice - Sarah SoonLing Blackbur and Jon Tobin unpack the origins, meaning, and contemporary impact of the term “Asian American Pacific Islander” in this webinar. They also break down the model minority myth and provide educators with resources to effectively teach AAPI history. 

The Asian American Education Project - Explore the history of Asian Americans and their role in the ongoing formation of the United States through lesson plans, untold civil rights stories, teacher’s guides, thematic units, professional development workshops and resources, teaching tool kits, and student activities. Filter resources by grade, subject, time period, and/or topic.

We Are Not a Stereotype: Breaking Down Asian Pacific American Bias - The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center presents a video series for classroom teachers and caregivers who teach exploring the multiple timelines, geographies, and identities that are included in the term Asian Pacific American. Many videos include links to complementary collections in the Smithsonian Learning Lab.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a list of curated resources for families and educators that celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage, click here.

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Mental Health Awareness Month

Online Resources

ADHD and Depression - Understood provides three quick tips for parents and teachers, a brief overview of the relationship between ADHD and depression, and resources to dive deeper.

Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage? - A guide from NIH for parents and caregivers about when to seek help for their child, the first steps to take, possible assessment and treatment options, choosing a mental health professional, and working in partnership with their child’s school. Includes a list of additional resources as well.

Digital Shareables on Child and Adolescent Mental Health | NIH - Raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health and early diagnosis and treatment by sharing information and materials on the latest research. Resources include graphics, social media messages, videos, and educational materials for kids (also available in Spanish).

For Educators | MentalHealth.gov - Educators are often the first to notice mental health problems. Learn the warning signs, who to turn to in your school when concerns arise, and how to support the mental health of all your students.

Mental Health Month | NAMI - Browse resources for engagement during Mental Health Awareness Month, such as awareness information, social media images and graphics, an event guide with suggested activity descriptions, advocacy tools, and personal stories from people experiencing mental health conditions.

Preventing Suicide in Youth: What Parents Need to Know | InfoAboutKids - A brief overview of suicide and mental health, including a debunking of related myths, signs to look for, tips for talking to youth, and resources to help.

Time to Talk | Mental Health America - A guide for adolescents and teens on signs and symptoms that it’s time to talk to someone about their mental health, tips for finding someone to talk to and getting the conversation started, and common concerns about sharing their mental health experiences with their parents.

Webinars | National Center for School Mental Health - Free webinars to promote high-quality, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive school mental health supports and services. Recordings and pdfs of past webinars are available as well.

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about the importance of mental health and how to support the mental wellbeing of your students or family members, check out this curated list of our resources.

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National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Online Resources

101 Tips for Family Fitness | SHAPE America - A round-up of easy-to-implement tips to increase family fitness when you’re at home, in the kitchen, at school, at work, in the great outdoors, in your backyard, around the neighborhood, stuck inside on rainy days, or just about anywhere!

D.I.Y. Adapted Sports Equipment Series - Part of the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, and Society’s Global Disability Rights Advocacy Project. This video series focuses on creative, inexpensive ways to make sports more accessible to athletes with disabilities.

For Educators | National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) - Videos, articles, and tools for educators seeking to be more inclusive during physical activities. Explore topics such as UDL in physical education, inclusive PE stations, adapted yoga for kids, sports for children with disabilities, and more!

Movement and Learning in Elementary School - Phi Delta Kappan reviews the benefits of incorporating physical activity into your lessons, as well as five strategies to do so. Strategies are tied to instruction, application, or assessment.

Move to Include: Sports & Recreation - A collection by PBS LearningMedia designed for grades 5-13+.  These short videos and related activities promote inclusion for people with disabilities and center the voices and experiences of people with disabilities in sports and recreational activities.

Move Your WayⓇ | ODPHP - The Move Your WayⓇ campaign is based on the recommendations in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Discover tools, videos, fact sheets, and tips for finding safe, fun ways to be more active! Includes an interactive tool to design weekly activity plans and ensure you and your family get the recommended amount of physical activity every day. Also available in Spanish.

New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites | NJDEP - Search New Jersey’s state parks and forests by location or activity.  Biking, hiking, and in-line skating are great ways to move on our state’s picturesque trails! In addition to these activities, many county parks also offer sports fields, fitness trails, and playgrounds. Explore one near you: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, or Salem County.

Physical Activity | Alliance for a Healthier Generation - Explore these tools, strategies, and training materials to create a physically active learning environment for your students. Includes resources to get students moving in the classroom, during recess, and before/after school.

Staying Fit | KidsHealth for Parents - A collection of articles with tips about fitness for kids at different developmental stages, as well as tips for engaging in sports and motivating kids to be more active.  Available in Spanish and audio format.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of resources that promote inclusive physical activities and sports, click here.

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We’re kicking off our Summer Learning Series with a round-up of resources for families to enhance the literacy development of their children in PreK through 12th grades all summer long. This month we also celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States on #Juneteenth and the LGBTQIA+ community during #PrideMonth!

Summer Learning: Literacy (PreK-5th grades)

Online Resources

5 Simple Intervention Strategies to Strengthen Phonics Skills | WeAreTeachers - Check out these engaging and hands-on strategies to catch the attention of young literacy scholars. Lesson plan ideas, songs, and activities are included.

15 Fun Ways to Build Language & Literacy Skills in Young Learners - The Inclusion Lab provides an interactive list of strategies to build language and literacy skills in young children. These skill-building activities will create an excitement for words and books.

Literacy Skills Checklist - The National Center on Improving Literacy designed this tool to provide caregivers with personalized resources aligned with reading, writing, and language skills. Complete the checklist and explore recommended activities and articles!

LRC-South Learning Activities - Our Learn and Create series has hands-on educational activities and helpful resources for families with young learners. Each activity comes with ready-to-print instructions and a short video tutorial.  Literacy themed activities include “Let’s Get Ready to Read,” “Beginning Sounds Roadway,” “Vowel Owl Sounds,” “Young Authors Become Engaged Readers,” “Very Hungry Caterpillar Story Can,” “Alligator Alphabet Match,” and “Ice Cream Sight Words: You Scream! I Scream!”

Reading SOS: Expert Answers to Family Questions About Reading - A Reading Rockets special video series in which experts answer real questions from families about reading and how to support their children’s literacy at home.

Summer Literacy Strategies - McGraw Hills provides 9 tips to guide and encourage summer learning for elementary schoolers. Ideas range from remembering to use a reading list that is age or interest focused to downloading fun educational apps.

Summer Reading | Start with a Book - Learn about reading aloud with your family, choosing great kids’ books, building background knowledge, developing fluency skills, strengthening vocabulary and word knowledge, and encouraging children to write. Resources include the opportunity to receive text messages with reading tips throughout the summer, a summer adventure tracker, and a summer book tracker.

Teacher Tip: Use Bingo to Motivate Your Child to Read over the Summer - Use the summer reading bingo board from Understood to encourage your child to read throughout the summer. Article includes tips for implementation.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our literacy resources for children in PreK through 5th grades, click here.

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Summer Learning: Literacy (6th-12th Grades)

Online Resources

10 Ways to Encourage Your High-Schooler to Read | Understood - Practical tips for parents to encourage their struggling readers in middle or high school to read more, such as how to capitalize on their interests, find engaging books at their level, model good reading habits, and more.

Freerice - An educational trivia game that supports the United Nations World Food Programme. Every question answered correctly raises 10 grains of rice! Questions that are answered incorrectly will show up again, providing the opportunity to learn new vocabulary words or other trivia of choice. Literacy themed trivia categories include literature, proverbs, grammar, spelling, and root words. Login not required to play.

How to Help Your Tween Get the Writing Bug | Understood - Ideas to keep your middle schooler writing all summer long! 

Libby | Overdrive - A free app that enables you and your family to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library! Encourage your tween or teen to get the app on their phone and sign up for your local library’s summer reading challenge. Audiobooks are also a great way to enjoy reading together as a family during the summer months!

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers | YALSA - A curated list of books to encourage reading among teens who dislike reading for a variety of reasons. These titles have been selected due to their clear writing style, simple vocabulary, high interest topics, emotional appeal, and straight-forward structure.

“Write. Right. Rite.” Series | Library of Congress - A series of short videos with Jason Reynolds, the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. In each video, he provides a writing or activity prompt to help young people hone their skills of authentic self-expression and creative storytelling.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our literacy resources for tweens and teens, click here.

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Juneteenth

Online Resources

Celebrating Juneteenth | Time for Kids - Read or listen to the history of Juneteenth and the progression leading to its celebration.

Four Ways to Celebrate Juneteenth with Students - This article from Edutopia provides four  creative ways to celebrate such as inviting a griot or spoken-word artist to speak with your class or taking students on a virtual civil rights field trip. Includes links to additional resources.

“Grandmother of Juneteenth” Opal Lee reflects on her journey to secure a national holiday - Video interview and news article by CBS News. Learn more about the “Grandmother of Juneteenth” and her famous trek from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C.

Juneteenth | All About the Holidays - Watch this video by PBS Kids about Juneteenth as people gather together to celebrate the end of slavery. This is a brief introduction to the holiday for students in grades K-5.

Juneteenth | BrainPOP - Explore why Juneteenth is considered a second Independence Day and how its celebration grew. Students can watch a short movie and engage in additional learning activities with the digital worksheet, vocabulary builder, graphic organizer, interactive make-a-map, and related readings.  BrainPOP also provides a lesson plan for grades 6-12.

Juneteenth | National Museum of African American History and Culture - Here you will find a Social Media Toolkit, a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Rochelle Rice, and several videos paying homage to Juneteenth!  Explore resources on African American family history, traditional festive foods, and relevant summer reads as well.

Press Play on History: Juneteenth | Smithsonian Learning Lab - A learning activity for students age 13 and up in which they will analyze primary sources through close reading and create a playlist of songs depicting their interpretation of themes relevant to the historical experience of African Americans and Juneteenth.

Teaching Juneteenth | Learning for Justice - Discover how to teach about Juneteenth with a focus on culture as resistance, understanding emancipation, the backlash to freedom, and its portrayal of American ideals. Many LFJ educators have used this article to build their own learning plans on Juneteenth: explore them here.

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about Juneteenth, explore this curated list of our resources.

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LGBTQ Pride Month

Online Resources

Children’s and Young Adult Literature: Rainbow Book List | UNLV University Libraries - Created by the American Library Association’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table, this annual list curates quality books that have been published in the United States and Canada with significant and authentic LGBTQIA+ content for children from birth through 18 years of age.

Gender & Sexual Identity | Learning for Justice - Classroom resources, professional development, and publications for educators on gender and sexual identity. Includes three featured resources, with the option to explore all related resources - use the filters to search by grade level, social justice domains, or type of resource.

LGBTQ History and Why It Matters | Facing History and Ourselves - A complete lesson plan in which students will consider whose experiences have been excluded from the way history has been traditionally taught and learn about LGTBQ history from the Roman Empire to 2016. Includes three possible extension activities as well.

Loving Families | PFLAG - Support and acceptance is critical to the well-being of the LGBTQ community!  Find guides for parents and families of transgender and gender expansive people; parents and families of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people; and all adults committed to making schools safer for youth. 

Pride | Google Arts & Culture - Explore  high-resolution images and videos of artifacts, articles, and primary source materials depicting the history and symbolism of the Pride flag, preserving the memory of Stonewall, highlighting LGBTQIA+ pride parades around the world, and more!

Stonewall National Monument | National Park Service - The Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969 marks a milestone in the LGBTQ civil rights movement. View a 15 part video series on the history of Stonewall, participate in the We Are Stonewall Arts Festival, and consider photographs around the monument that visually tell the story of the LGBTQ rights movement. Bring the Stonewall National Monument to your classroom through live virtual tours and interdisciplinary mini units for elementary, middle, and high school students!

The Trevor Project - National crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ persons under 25 years of age. The Trevor Support Center creates a safe online place for LGBTQ youth and their allies to learn about sexual orientation and gender identity. Among other project endeavors, they also provide Ally and CARE training for educators and other youth-serving adults.

LRC-South Resources

To celebrate LGBTQ pride, learn more about LGBTQ history, and affirm LGBTQ students in your class, explore this curated list of our resources.

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This month, we strive to protect the dignity of all people and cultivate more equitable and inclusive communities near and far by celebrating International Persons with Disabilities Day on December 3rd, Inclusive Schools Week from December 5th to December 9th, and Human Rights Awareness Month. We’re also invited to explore coding and the impact of computer science through Hour of CodeTM activities and Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 5th - 11th). As we enter the winter months, National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 4th - 10th) reminds us of the importance of this simple personal hygiene practice in keeping ourselves and our communities healthy.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: December 3rd

Annually on December 3rd, International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated.  In 1992, the United Nations General Assembly established IDPD as a day of celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, learning from their experiences, and taking actions to create a more inclusive world. The 2022 theme is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fueling an accessible and equitable world.” See how others are celebrating by following #IDPD on social media!

Online Resources

Ability - Bring the voices of people with diverse abilities into your classroom and create a learning environment that rejects ableism.  These resources from Learning for Justice will help your students embrace diverse abilities and understand the injustices people with disabilities often encounter.

Dec. 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities - Resources from Zinn Education Project for teaching about the history of the disability rights movement, including articles, films, digital collections, websites, and news stories.

Global Accessibility News (GAN) - Browse headline news from around the world related to accessibility issues.  Filter by geographic region or topic, such as assistive technology, built environment, disaster readiness & relief, current events, transportation, and universal design.

International Day of People with Disabilities - Explore the history of disability rights and movement, services for people with disabilities, and ideas for charity fundraising.  Download logos, posters, email signatures, and website banners to show your support.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), 3 December 2022 - Learn more about the 2022 theme, IDPD events, and related resources from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

RAW Emotion Unites Us - Explore five uplifting stories from Paralympians through an interactive WebXR experience.  Each story centers an athlete and the emotions that define their most challenging and rewarding moments, presented in a way to change perceptions of disabilities.  Provided by the International Paralympic Committee.

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about the experiences of people with disabilities and how to affirm their strengths, check out this curated list of our resources for families and educators.

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Inclusive Schools Week: December 5th - 9th 

Since 2001, educators, students, and families have celebrated the progress that schools have made in providing a supportive and quality education to a diverse student population and discussed what else needs to be done in order to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children.  This year’s theme is “Unity Within Our Community.” See what other educators, students, schools, and families are doing to celebrate by following #InclusiveSchoolsWeek, #ISW2022, and #InclusiveSchools on social media!

Online Resources

Foundations of Inclusion TIPS - TIPS are designed to share practical information, ideas, and strategies on specific topics and practices to support inclusive education for students with significant cognitive disabilities in kindergarten through 8th grade.  Provided by the TIES Center.

Ian (Animated Short Movie) - An award winning short film inspired by a true story of a boy with cerebral palsy and his determination to join his peers at their local playground.

Inclusion Basics: Philosophy and Practice of Inclusive Education - A short learning module from the Inclusive Schools Network that reviews the definition of inclusion, importance of inclusion, and barriers to inclusion.

Inclusive Schools Week - Explore featured activities to use in your classroom and download free resources, such as the 2022 Celebration Guide, social media kit, and a letter to principals.  Provided by the Inclusive Schools Network.

Publications | New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education - NJCIE has compiled and created resources, manuals, and guides for families and educators to support the implementation of inclusive practices, such as the “Inclusion Works! Parent Manual” and “How to Be a Good Influence to People with Disabilities.”

Unified Classroom - Bring the Special Olympics to your classroom through fun, engaging activities that highlight inclusion.  Access free lessons, digital and in-person activities, discussion guides, and videos around monthly themes of identity, belonging, teamwork, connections, wellness, empowerment, spreading the word, leadership, appreciation, and reflection.

Upcoming Events - Browse the LRC-South’s free in-person and virtual professional development sessions that provide educators with effective strategies, practical tools, and resources to support inclusive education for all students.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our inclusion resources for families and educators, click here.

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Hour of Code & Computer Science Education Week (CSEd Week): December 5th - 11th

The Hour of CodeTM is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. CSEd Week is celebrated each year during the week of Admiral Grace Hopper’s birthday (December 9th), in honor of her pioneering work in computer programming. The 2022 theme is #CelebratingProgress, highlighting the progress that has occurred in computer science education over the last decade. Check out what other educators, students, and families are doing or share your own activities using hashtags #HourOfCode, #CSEdWeek, and #CelebratingProgress!

Online Resources

Hour of CodeTM:

Hour of CodeTM - The Hour of CodeTM is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.  Activities include free tutorials for all grade levels (Pre-reader through 9+), experience levels, and subjects.  There are even “unplugged activities” that don’t require access to a computer or device to complete!

Hour of CodeⓇ lessons from CS First - These simple, self-paced lessons from Google for Education’s CS First are designed to make coding fun for everyone.  It’s easy to get started, with no CS knowledge needed.

How to do an Hour of CodeTM with your child - A user-guide for parents planning to facilitate an Hour of CodeTM for their children.

How to plan your Hour of CodeTM - Resources to help educators plan an hour of code in class or after school, including a participation guide, how-to video, promotional ideas, and tips for hosting a virtual event.

Computer Science Education Week:

Code.org - Free computer science courses to use with students of all experience levels in grades K-12 and professional learning courses for teachers.  Users can also complete self-paced CS lessons on their own or explore the Game Lab, App Lab, or Play Lab for project ideas!  Need help getting started?  Educators, click here; families, click here.

Computer Science Education Week - The starting point for all things CSEd Week!  Find ready-to-use activities including welcome activities and optimistic closures; stories of CS heroes; posters and poster lessons; virtual events; guides and tutorials; inspiring videos; and advocacy resources.

Code with Google - Resources to help educators give their students confidence in CS, advance their skills, and prepare them for the future. Browse CS activities available for students through CS First, Grasshopper, and Applied CS Skills.  

Kode5 - Twenty hours of free streaming computer science lessons per grade level by CS is Elementary, to use in school or at home. Their lessons require zero teacher training, experience, special resources or cost.  An expert virtual co-teacher and quick prep guide are provided for classroom teachers.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources on coding and computer science for families and educators, click here.

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National Handwashing Awareness Week: December 4th - 10th

Check out what other educators, students, and families are doing during National Handwashing Week by using #KeepHandsClean on social media!

Online Resources

BAM! Body and Mind - Hand Washing Experiment - An experiment for students in grades 5-8 on the importance of handwashing.  Developed by the CDC.

COVID-19 Resources for Families: Teaching Children to Wash Hands - Engaging resources to help children understand the importance and techniques of handwashing.  Includes social stories, a visual schedule, videos, songs, and tips for children with sensory difficulties.  Curated by the STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center.

Handwashing - Videos, an online book, and a printable activity by Sesame Street in Communities.  Ideal for preschool.

Handwashing: A Family Activity - The CDC helps parents and caretakers instill the habit of regular handwashing in their children.  Check out the “Handwashing: Keeping Your Family Healthy” fact sheet, available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French!

Health Promotion Materials - Free student-friendly graphics, fact sheets, posters, stickers, videos, and podcasts promoting handwashing.  Developed by the CDC.  Available in Spanish.

Inquiry into Infectious Disease: It’s a Germy World After All - An experiment and webquest for high school students on the transmission of germs and the importance of handwashing as a preventative measure.  Developed in collaboration with the CDC.

NSF’s Scrub Club - Engaging videos, activities, and infographics promoting handwashing among 3 to 8 year olds.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources on germs and the importance of handwashing for families and educators, click here.

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Universal Human Rights Month

The United Nations observes Human Rights Day on December 10th. The 2022 celebration will launch a year-long campaign showcasing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by focusing on its legacy, relevance, and activism in preparation for the UDHR’s 75th anniversary in 2023. Check out how people around the world are recognizing the importance of universal human rights by using hashtags #HumanRightsDay and #Standup4humanrights.

Online Resources

Human Rights Day - United Nations - Learn about human rights, watch video messages, learn about the women who shaped the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, consider relevant events around the world, and browse UN resources.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

The Illustrated Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - This illustrated version of UDHR was a collaborative effort by Yacine Ait Kaci (illustrator), the United Nations Regional Information Centre, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - Regional Office for Europe.  Great for projecting or screen-sharing to read with children!

The Simplified Version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Provides a side-by-side comparison of the original text and the text paraphrased in everyday language.  Ideal for diving deeper into the UDHR with upper elementary and middle school students.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights in ASL - A video of the UDHR signed in ASL.

Youth Reading Parts of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - A short video highlighting the UDHR read by youth in different languages.  This would be a great “hook” for a lesson on human rights!

Teaching About Human Rights:

For Educators - The Advocates for Human Rights - Free curricula, lesson plans, educator resources, and other educational materials that explore a variety of human rights issues in the United States and around the world.

Kahoots - United Nations - Use one of the UN’s Kahoots to engage your students as they learn about human rights.

Human Rights Academy - Amnesty International - Free online courses to use with students ages 10+, developed with a flipped classroom in mind.  See Teacher’s Guide for curated courses by age; must sign up for a (free) account to access.  Available in over 20 languages.

Sustainable Development Goals - Student Resources - Human rights are at the center of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  Check out these playbooks, toolkits, games, illustrated online books, guides, activities, and lesson plans to teach students of all ages about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and call them to action in their own lives.

Teaching and Advocacy About Human Rights - Resources provided by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS).

World’s Largest Lesson - Project Everyone, in partnership with UNICEF and with thanks to UNESCO, developed this collection of free videos, activities, infographics, posters, lesson plans, and training guides for teachers and parents to engage students of all ages with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  Introductory videos feature well-known figures such as Malala Yousafzai and Emma Watson. Available in over 30 languages!

LRC-South Resources

To learn more about human rights and global citizenship, check out this curated list of our resources for families and educators.

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November is a time to recognize the significant role that families play in their children’s education as schools across the country recognize National Family Engagement Month. We also honor the heritage of Indigenous people and Native Americans, as well as the sacrifices of veterans and military families. In addition, this month invites you to explore geography during the week of the 14th to 18th and enjoy picture books everyday!

National Family Engagement Month & National Parental Involvement Day

Schools across the country celebrate National Family Engagement Month in November to honor the important contributions of families in their children’s education and highlight the significance of their partnership with schools for students’ success and well-being. National Parental Involvement Day is also observed annually on the third Thursday of the month; this year’s celebration will be on November 17, 2022. Use hashtags #FamilyEngagement, #FamilyEngagementMonth, and #NationalParentalInvolvementDay on social media to see how families and schools are collaborating for student success!

Online Resources

Building an Inclusive Classroom: Relationship Tune-Ups - Mark your calendar for March 2023, when two short videos on relationship building and making connections with students and their families will be released as part of this LRC-South online video module series. Registration is already open for a virtual follow-up discussion about the topic with presenters Kerry Cormier, Ph.D. and Johari Sykes-Ratliff, M.A. on April 19th.

Connecting with ELL Families - Explore how to connect with ELL families through Colorín Colorado’s new webapp, Colorín on the Go!  Includes resources for building relationships, providing language access, supporting multilingual families through the special education process, and more.

Conversation starters to use with your child’s teachers - Understood’s family guide for initiating discussions with teachers about their child’s struggles in school, school services, evaluations, and teaching approaches. Also available in Spanish.  Educators, check out their conversation starters for teachers to use with families!

Family Engagement Resources - Resources from the Flamboyan Foundation that provide educators and school leaders with practical tips and strategies for building effective relationships with their students’ families, including toolkits, templates, guides, and other publications.  With many schools hosting parent-teacher conferences this month, their Academic Partnering Toolkit for Teachers is a great place to start! 

Family Engagement Playbook - A collection of research-based approaches for meaningful, co-created family engagement from the Global Family Research Project. Explore ideas for shifting mindsets, building relationships, and transforming organizations. Each approach includes a brief description of what it is, how it works, an example of that approach in action, and additional resources to learn more.

Family Engagement Support - A compilation of resources curated by Achievement Network to support your school’s family engagement strategy in the following areas: setting up two-way communication, sharing grade-level expectations, demystifying assessment data, providing meaningful math and literacy experiences at home, and supporting families holistically.

Support through Partnerships - Part of the LRC-South’s Family & Community website, this page features resources that support families in developing strong partnerships with schools, parent advocacy groups, and their local community. Click on the “Partnering with Schools” accordion for online resources specifically about the family-school partnership, including a list of resources for parent-teacher conferences.

Teacher Tips for Family Communication - A series of PL Shorts from the LRC-South with the goal of strengthening communication between teachers and families in order to enhance and support student learning.  Each PL Short includes a professional learning guide to promote personal reflection, dialogue with others, and implementation of strategies.

LRC-South Resources

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Indigenous Heritage Month / Native American Heritage Month

November was first declared Native American Heritage Month in 1990 as a way of celebrating the important contributions and diverse cultures of Native American/Indigenous people. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the ways Native people have confronted bias, discrimination, and oppression both historically and in the present. Use hashtags #IndigenousHeritageMonth and #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth to learn more.

Online Resources

 A Video Interview with Traci Sorell - Reading Rockets’ interview with author, 2021-22 Tulsa Artist Fellow, and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell. Includes links to the interview transcript, as well as the author’s biography, website with teacher’s guides, and children’s books. Borrow her award-winning debut nonfiction picture book, We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga from the LRC-South’s library!

Indigenous Heritage | National Park Service - History, heritage, or culture of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians are part of every national park. Find lesson plans and information on people and places significant to indigenous heritage.

Living Nations, Living Words: A Guide for Educators - A Library of Congress guide for educators using Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s project with students in grades 7 and above. Living Nations, Living Words features 47 contemporary Native American poets in an interactive story map of images, biographies, and links to hear the poets read and comment on their work around the overarching theme of place and displacement. The guide includes themes and touchpoints, suggested activities, and additional resources.

Native American Heritage Month | Anti-Defamation League - Explore lesson plans across all grade levels, tools and strategies, literature recommendations, and articles to bring the themes of Native American Heritage Month to your classroom.

Native Knowledge 360° Educational Resources - Bring Native voices into your classroom through the National Museum of the American Indian’s extensive collection of geographically and culturally diverse educational resources, including toolkits, lessons, handouts, teaching guides, posters, videos, and more.  Filter by subject (including art, engineering, technology, environmental science, and math), nation, grade level, essential understanding, language, region, format, and topic.

Native Land - A map of Indigenous lands that seeks to change, challenge, and improve the way people see the history of their countries.  Enter your address or click on the map to see relevant territories in your location and learn more about that tribal nation, language, or treaty. For how to use this map in your classroom, check out their Teacher’s Guide.

The Impact of Words and Tips for Using Appropriate Terminology: Am I Using the Right Word? - A NK360° resource that offers guidance on terminology and tips for having respectful and informed conversations about diverse Indigenous peoples.

LRC-South Resources

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 National Veteran and Military Families Month

November was declared Military Family Month in 1996 as a time to recognize the sacrifices of our military families and the strength, resilience, and courage they embody. Veterans Day was originally a commemoration of Armistice Day, which ended fighting during World War I on November 11, 1918, and is celebrated today in honor of America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve. Use hashtags #MilitaryFamilyMonth and #VeteransDay to honor our service members and their families!

Online Resources

5 Things You Need to Know about Military Families | USO - There is often a civilian-military disconnect. Here are five things you need to know about what life is really like for the families of those who protect and serve our nation.

National Veteran and Military Families Month - A list of resources for military children and families, educators, and civilian and non-civilian mental health providers from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Includes fact sheets, tip sheets, webinars, and more.

Veterans Day | US Department of Veterans Affairs - View the 2022 Veterans Day Poster Competition Winner, designed to reflect the Veteran history of service and the honor we owe them for fulfilling patriotic duties. Explore past winning submissions, Veterans Day speeches, a teacher's guide, and Veterans Day history for students as well. 

Veterans Day 2022 | History Channel - Learn about the history of Veterans Day, from originating as “Armistice Day” in 1919 to becoming a national holiday in 1938.

Veterans Day: All About the Holidays - A short video from PBS Learning Media about Veterans Day, appropriate for grades K-5.

Veterans: Sesame Street in Communities - A short collection of resources from PBS Learning Media for PreK-K military children to help them through new moves and changes. Applicable for any young child who has experienced a move or big change in their life!

Veterans’ Stories: The Veterans History Project | PBS LearningMedia - Stories of veterans or of U.S. citizens who were actively involved in supporting war efforts, beginning with World War I and continuing through the conflicts of the 21st century. See the teacher’s guide for using these personal narratives, correspondence, and visual materials in your classroom (grades 6-12).

LRC-South Resources

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Geography Awareness Week (November 14-18, 2022)

Geography Awareness Week was created by National Geographic to encourage Americans to learn about the significance of place, understand geo-spatial issues, reflect on their relationship with their environments, and consider their impact on the world as global citizens. Follow along with hashtags #GeoWeek and #ThatsGeography!

Online Resources

Applying Geographic Thinking Skills with Your Learners - A free, self-paced mini-course from National Geographic that equips K-12 educators to integrate geographic thinking into their instruction across disciplines.

Celebrate Geography Awareness Week - An Idea Set from National Geographic filled with activities to do and events to host, such as a movie night, trivia challenges, or geocaching!

GeoInquiries - Collections of 15 minute inquiry-based activities from ESRI that use interactive maps to enhance standards-based instruction in upper elementary, American literature, earth science, environmental science, mathematics, government and civics, human geography, U.S. history, world geography, and world history.

Google Earth Education - Classroom activities, interactive guided tours, mapping tools, and other resources that bring geospatial thinking into all subject matters and encourage exploration, inquiry, and engagement.

Interviews with Professional Geographers | Powerful Geography - Videos of interviews with professional geographers in all different fields, explaining how they use geographic knowledge and skills to complete their job. Check out their interviews with non-professional geographers to learn how firefighters, law enforcement, musicians, and others use geographic knowledge and skills in their jobs as well!

LRC-South Resources

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Picture Book Month

Picture Book Month is an international literacy initiative that celebrates the print picture book during the month of November. Find out why others think picture books are important or share your own reason using hashtag #picturebookmonth.

Online Resources

Picture Book Search | ReadWriteThink - Explore lesson plans, student interactives, and other classroom resources on using picture books across content areas and grade levels. Filter results by grade, learning objective, or topic.

Picture Book Search | NCSS - Explore journal articles by the National Council for the Social Studies on using picture books in Social Studies classrooms across grade levels. Filter results by level, subject area, or topic. Some articles may be for members only.

Randolph Caldecott Medal - An annual award given by the Association for LIbrary Service to Children (ALSC) to artists of the most distinguished American picture books of their time for children.  Filter by author, other honors, genre, and award year.

Sharing Wordless Picture Books - Part of Reading Rockets’ monthly tips for parents, this article provides families with tips for enjoying wordless picture books with their child. Also available in Spanish.

Using Picture Books to Make Text to Investigation Connections - Watch Christine Royce’s session during NSTA’s Engage: Spring21 virtual conference to explore how the literacy strategy of “text to” connections can be expanded upon to promote inquiry in the elementary science classroom.

LRC-South Resources

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In October, we honor National Deaf Awareness Month and begin celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month on the 15th. This month also invites us to get involved with our local libraries during Library Card Sign-Up Month, engage in literacy activities on the 8th for International Literacy Day, and collectively prepare for emergencies during National Preparedness Month. Best wishes for a safe and prosperous school year!

Learning Disabilities and ADHD Awareness Month

President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October to be National Learning Disabilities Month in 1985.  “Learning disabilities” (LD) is an umbrella term that describes a number of neurological differences that impact listening, speaking, reading, writing, reasoning, and/or social skills. The ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO), Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA), and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) also recognize October as ADHD Awareness Month; this year’s theme is Understanding a Shared Experience.  Spend time this month teaching yourself or others about learning disabilities, ADHD, and the unique contributions that neurodivergent individuals bring to our schools and communities. Engage on social media using hashtags #LDAwareness, #LDAwarenessMonth, and #ADHDAwareness.

Online Resources

ADHD Awareness Month - ACO, ADDA, and CHADD partner with medical, healthcare, and professional associations to correct misunderstandings about ADHD and highlight the shared experiences of the ADHD community.  Explore their short video interviews with experts, artwork and stories depicting personal experiences, mythbusters, and more.

Awareness Month: Supporting kids who learn and think differently - Understood shares videos and articles to help people understand learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD by hearing real stories and learning from the insights of people who experience learning and thinking differences daily.

Dyslexia success stories - The Understood Team curated this list of success stories with the hope that it would be a source of inspiration for kids with dyslexia.  Explore personal stories of teenagers, authors, actors, scientists, entrepreneurs, designers, athletes, and others sharing their experience with dyslexia.  See also their curated list of ADHD success stories.

Executive Functioning and Neurodiversity - Part of the LRC-South’s Neurodiversity Informational Series with Dr. Amy Accardo, this PL Short focuses on neurodiversity in education, explains executive functioning, and discusses strategies to improve executive functioning skills.

Learning Disabilities: An Overview - LD OnLine provides an overview of the different types of learning disabilities, distinguishes LD from autism, explains how learning disabilities are identified, and describes how educators can support students with LD.  See also their article on ADHD Basics.

Support and Resources for Parents - Find resources developed by the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA) that provide information on understanding learning disabilities, negotiating the special education process, and helping your child and yourself.

Take N.O.T.E. - A step-by-step tool by Understood to help family members spot signs of learning and thinking differences, gather necessary information, and seek support from practitioners.  Check out Understood’s video explanation of the tool as well!

TeachingLD.org - Tutorials, practice guides, videos, Q&As, and other resources developed by the special interest group of the Division for Learning Disabilities (DLD) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).  Filter by resource type or topics such as reading, writing, mathematics, content areas, transition, or behavior.

The LD Checklist: Recognize and Respond - A tool by NCLD that helps family members detect potential signs of LDs or an attention issue in their child so that they can bring any concerns to school personnel or other professionals.  Upon completion, users can download the checklist and their results, explore resources to guide further learning, and refer to a curated list of questions to ask pediatricians and educators.  Preview the LD Checklist by watching this short video.

What is neurodiversity?  Understood writer Amanda Morin defines neurodiversity and provides resources to dive deeper into understanding the brain and neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD and dyslexia, as well as the difference between neurodiversity and disability.

LRC-South Resources

Click here to browse our curated list of our resources on learning disabilities and neurodiversity for families and educators.

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Disability History Month

Idaho, Massachusetts, Missouri, and other states recognize Disability History Month in order to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of people with disabilities throughout our country’s history.  Check out #DisabilityHistory on social media to learn more!  This is also an opportune time to explore resources relevant to Title 18A of the New Jersey Learning Standards - Teaching about the History of Disabled and LGBT Persons in the Middle and High School Curriculum; see New Jersey’s Department of Education’s Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on this statute.

Online Resources

Disability History: National Museum of American History - This hub of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History curates exhibitions, collections, and blog posts that highlight the experiences of those who have been “tagged as disabled or impaired” throughout our country’s history. Exhibitions with websites include The Disability Rights Movement; EveryBody: An Artifact History of Disability in America; Special Olympics at 50; and Whatever Happened to Polio?

Model Lessons on Disability History - Accessible, inquiry-based lesson plans on disability history developed by Emerging America in partnership with the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Consortium.  Find detailed lessons for 2nd through 12th grades that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards; include topics related to world history, U.S. history, civics, and geography; and cover a wide range of time periods from the ancient world to present day.

Free to Use and Reuse: Disability Awareness - A Free to Use primary source set from the Library of Congress that features people with disabilities throughout U.S. history.  The Library of Congress also has a Getting Started with Primary Sources guide for teachers, as well as teacher guides for specific types of primary sources and an analysis tool for students (here).

Meeting the Inclusive Mandate: Teaching about the History of Disabled and LGBT Persons in the Middle and High School Curriculum - Attend a live webinar with Michelle Damiani, Ph.D. and Cathy Brant, Ph.D. on October 5th, 2022 to build your background knowledge about disability and LGBT topics and teaching about diverse contributions from these communities.  Register for free on the LRC-South’s Upcoming Events page.

Museum of disABILITY History - A project of People Inc. and chartered by the New York State Department of Education Board of Regents, this museum seeks to advance the understanding, acceptance, and independence of people with disabilities.  The virtual museum includes wings for media, medicine, society, education, and advocacy. Educational resources include lesson plans for grades PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12.

Parallels in Time: A History of Developmental Disabilities - A collection of resources developed by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities featuring video and audio clips, as well as primary source documents.  This collection presents the history of developmental disabilities from the ancient era to modern times in narrative form.

Teaching Now: Learning About (Dis)ability in History - This mini-unit encourages elementary students to discover how people experience ability differently.  Developed by Dr. John Bickford of Eastern Illinois University and The Councilor: A Journal of Social Studies in collaboration with Citizen U, the teaching guide includes analysis prompts, graphic organizers, and opportunities for civic engagement, as well as an accompanying primary source set.

Telling All Americans’ Stories: Disability History - A series by the National Park Service that highlights disability stories throughout our country’s complex history that are connected to NPS parks and programs. Browse by themes, places, or people. The series introduction provides a good overview of the available resources.

LRC-South Resources

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National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Through NDEAM, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) aims to raise awareness about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “Disability: Part of the Equity Equation.” Use hashtag #NDEAM to find out how people across the country are recognizing this important topic!

Online Resources

31 Days of NDEAM - Ideas from ODEP  to celebrate NDEAM every day of the month! 

Assistive Technology For Work - Working with the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Assistive Technology Center provides highly qualified staff, up-to-date assistive technology (AT), and support throughout the process of evaluating, purchasing, and implementing AT in the workplace.

Ideas for Educators and Youth Service Professionals - ODEP’s suggestions for educators and other professionals working with children, tweens, and teens to promote awareness around issues related to disability employment.  Suggested activities include holding discussions, creating displays, implementing “soft skills” training, and engaging student leaders.

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - JAN is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on job accommodations and disability issues.  Use their Searchable Online Accommodation Resource (SOAR) system, filter their extensive list of resources by disability, limitation, work-related function, topic, or accommodation, or chat with a JAN representative.

On the Job - Understood’s collection of resources to support people navigating learning differences in the workplace. Includes FAQs about the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accommodations at work, as well as tips about advocacy and job seeking.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources for families and educators on disability employment, transition, career readiness, and more, click here.

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Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th - October 15th)

On August 17, 1968 National Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law.  Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th until October 15th.  September 15th is especially important because it marks the independence of the following Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico established its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th. Follow #HispanicHeritage and #HispanicHeritageMonth for more information!

Online Resources

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 6 Other Latinx Trailblazers You Should Know | HuffPost - Without these pioneers and their revolutionary ideas, the world wouldn’t have made as much progress as we see today. This article was created to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and amplify the diverse voices within the community.  Also available in Spanish.

Hispanic Heritage - A collection of resources on History.com that explore the history of the U.S. Hispanic and Latinx communities.  Explore a timeline of Hispanic history milestones, an article on Hispanic Heritage Month, the history behind the terms Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, and Chicano, and more!

Hispanic Heritage Month - The National Park Service programs and partners point to more than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage.  View an introductory video, learn about Hispanic and Latino Americans who have shaped the NPS, explore featured parks and places of significance to Hispanic and Latino history, and engage in activities designed for children of all ages. 

Hispanic Heritage Month | All About the Holidays - A short video by PBS Learning Media about the history, purpose, and celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery - A Smithsonian Learning Lab collection that teachers can use to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and embrace Hispanic voices in the classroom year round.  Highlights portraits of Hispanic Americans who shaped the history, development, and culture of the United States.  Includes videos, student activities, suggested books, and other resources for educators.

Latino Cultures in the US - A collection of resources curated by Google Arts & Culture highlighting the contributions and experiences of Latinos in the U.S.  Explore topics such as Icons and Heroes, Art and Entertainment, History and Traditions, and Latino Communities Today.  Scroll to the bottom to find downloadable lesson plans on the Farm Workers Movement; Latino community murals, artists, and cultures; Dia de Muertos; and Puerto Rican Heritage.

National Hispanic Heritage Month | Resources For Teachers - A collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.  Includes selected resources for teachers seeking to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

LRC-South Resources

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National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month & Safe Schools Week

National Bullying Prevention Month was founded by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and seeks to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. America’s Safe Schools Week is appropriately observed during the third week of this month. Sponsored by the National School Safety Center, state governors, and state school superintendents, the goal is to motivate key education and law enforcement policymakers, students, parents, and community residents, to advocate for school safety. In New Jersey, this week may be referred to as School Violence Awareness Week and usually includes staff training and student activities that promote conflict resolution, student diversity, and tolerance.

Online Resources

Bullying and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs - stopbullying.gov - Learn about creating a safe environment, federal civil rights laws, and bullying prevention for youth with disabilities and special health needs.

Get Help Now - stopbullying.gov - Learn what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied.  Includes resources for different audiences (kids, teens, and adults), as well as specific problem scenarios.

Keeping Our Kids Safe, Healthy, & In School: Violence Awareness - NJDOE - Guidelines, suggested activities, and a curated list of resources developed to support school districts in the observance of School Violence Awareness Week.

National Bullying Prevention Month - PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center - Activities for families, schools, and community members to support bullying prevention. Resources include bookmarks, posters in English and Spanish, lesson plans for elementary and middle/high school students, and a four-week activity kit for K-12 classrooms. To prevent bullying all year long, check out their resources for parents, kids, and teens!

NSBA Center for Safe Schools - An initiative of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) that seeks to support and ensure a safe and secure environment for students, staff, and the community through education, engagement, and empowerment.  Resources include quarterly newsletters, publications, and webinars.

Safe Schools Week - National School Safety Center - Suggested ideas and activities to intentionally and creatively improve school safety. They detail thirteen primary strategies aimed at informing public opinion regarding school safety concerns, followed by additional strategies to use when working with specific audiences such as school board members, school staff, students, families, law enforcers, and others.

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club - Sandy Hook Promise - SAVE Promise Clubs educate, empower, engage, and encourage student leaders to take an active role in increasing school safety and preventing different forms of violence. Check out their student guide for participating in Safe Schools Week!

LRC-South Resources

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In September, we honor National Deaf Awareness Month and begin celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month on the 15th. This month also invites us to get involved with our local libraries during Library Card Sign-Up Month, engage in literacy activities on the 8th for International Literacy Day, and collectively prepare for emergencies during National Preparedness Month. Best wishes for a safe and prosperous school year!

National Deaf Awareness Month

National Deaf Awareness Month is observed in September to commemorate the month the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf was held and is marked by two global celebrations.  The 2022 theme of the International Week of Deaf People (September 19th to 25th) is “Building Inclusive Communities for All” and the 2022 theme for International Day of Sign Languages (September 23rd) is “Sign Languages Unite Us!” Follow #IWDP and #IDSL respectively to learn more about these global celebrations.

Online Resources

A Few Things to Know about American Sign Language - NPR - Five Deaf people share what they want other people to know about American Sign Language in this short video. 

ASL Stories for Families - CSDB Channel - A playlist of children’s books read in American Sign Language and English.

Communicating with Deaf Individuals - A Tip Sheet by the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes, describing how deaf individuals communicate, explaining the impact of one’s setting, and listing tips for effective communication in personal and large group situations.

Deaf Gain - A short documentary film directed by Ashley Larson with special thanks to the UCSD’s American Sign Language Department that highlights five different experiences with American Sign Language and International Sign.

International Week of Deaf People 2022 and International Day of Sign Languages 2022 - Find daily themes and corresponding ASL videos by the World Federation of the Deaf, as well as other ways to get involved during the celebration!

The ASL App - Created by Ink & Salt LLC, a Deaf-owned and Deaf-run company, to create connections between the non-signing community and the signing community.  Tweens, teenagers, and adults can use the free ASL App to learn conversational ASL; check out their ASL with Care Bears app for children!

What is Black American Sign Language? - An excerpt from The Language & Life Project’s documentary, “Signing Black in America,” introducing Black ASL as a unique dialect of American Sign Language.

LRC-South Resources

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National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15)

On August 17, 1968 National Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law.  Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 until October 15.  September 15th is especially important because it marks the independence of the following Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  Mexico established its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18.  Follow #HispanicHeritage and #HispanicHeritageMonth for more information!

Online Resources

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 6 Other Latinx Trailblazers You Should Know | HuffPost - Without these pioneers and their revolutionary ideas, the world wouldn’t have made as much progress as we see today. This article was created to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and amplify the diverse voices within the community.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month | PBS - Travel through history and reach the present with videos on The Latino Americans (documentary series), Latin Music USA, and Latino Public Broadcasting. All About the Holidays Video | PBS  - Recognizing the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Month | Origins & Facts - HISTORY - Outlines the importance of Hispanic Heritage Month and why we celebrate.

National Hispanic Heritage Month | Resources For Teachers - A collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources for families and educators about National Hispanic Heritage Month, click here.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th - October 15th)

On August 17, 1968 National Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th until October 15th. September 15th is especially important because it marks the independence of the following Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico established its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th. Follow #HispanicHeritage and #HispanicHeritageMonth for more information!

Online Resources

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 6 Other Latinx Trailblazers You Should Know | HuffPost - Without these pioneers and their revolutionary ideas, the world wouldn’t have made as much progress as we see today. This article was created to honor Hispanic Heritage Month and amplify the diverse voices within the community. Also available in Spanish.

Hispanic Heritage - A collection of resources on History.com that explore the history of the U.S. Hispanic and Latinx communities.  Explore a timeline of Hispanic history milestones, an article on Hispanic Heritage Month, the history behind the terms Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, and Chicano, and more!

Hispanic Heritage Month - The National Park Service programs and partners point to more than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage. View an introductory video, learn about Hispanic and Latino Americans who have shaped the NPS, explore featured parks and places of significance to Hispanic and Latino history, and engage in activities designed for children of all ages. 

Hispanic Heritage Month | All About the Holidays - A short video by PBS Learning Media about the history, purpose, and celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month with the National Portrait Gallery - A Smithsonian Learning Lab collection that teachers can use to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and embrace Hispanic voices in the classroom year round.  Highlights portraits of Hispanic Americans who shaped the history, development, and culture of the United States. Includes videos, student activities, suggested books, and other resources for educators.

Latino Cultures in the US - A collection of resources curated by Google Arts & Culture highlighting the contributions and experiences of Latinos in the U.S.  Explore topics such as Icons and Heroes, Art and Entertainment, History and Traditions, and Latino Communities Today. Scroll to the bottom to find downloadable lesson plans on the Farm Workers Movement; Latino community murals, artists, and cultures; Dia de Muertos; and Puerto Rican Heritage.

National Hispanic Heritage Month | Resources For Teachers - A collaborative project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Includes selected resources for teachers seeking to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources for families and educators celebrating Hispanic heritage and history, click here.

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Library Card Sign-Up Month & International Literacy Day

Library Card Sign-Up Month has been an annual campaign of the American Library Association since 1987 to promote the transformational power of a library card. Follow #LibraryCardSignUpMonth on social media to explore ways to participate all month long! Celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8th. This year’s theme is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces.” Use #InternationalLiteracyDay and #ILD2021 to learn more!

Online Resources

English Language Arts - LRC-South - Explore these curated online resources to take your English Language Arts instruction to the next level.  Resources are categorized by early childhood, elementary, and middle/secondary grades, in addition to the more general themes of Language Arts websites and professional organizations.  Browse resources for audio books, ebooks, and graphic organizers as well!

ilovelibraries - American Library Association - Learn about the significance of libraries and librarians in the world today, key issues impacting them, and how you can support them.  Includes a section for book lovers with book resources and recommendations, as well as a section for parents about how libraries can facilitate a deeper connection with their children.

LRC-South Membership - Become a member of the Learning Resource Center-South!  Free membership provides access to our production center and borrowing privileges to our lending library.

PL Shorts: Bridging School & Home Through Shared Tools - LRC-South - This two-part video series provides an overview of differentiated instruction and a deeper dive into the learning cube strategy for literacy in particular.  One video is designed for educators, while the other is designed for families.  Includes reading cube templates for early elementary, upper elementary, and middle/high school, as well as a visual character analysis cube and writing prompts cube.

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month - American Library Association - Discover ways to celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month and free social media graphics!  Graphics also available in Spanish.

We highlighted Literacy in June as part of our Summer Learning Series. Check out the Theme Archive for an extensive list of literacy resources for preK-5th grade and 6th-12th grade students and their families!

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of our resources for families and educators on literacy development, click here.

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National Preparedness Month

In 2004, September became known as National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year’s theme is “A Lasting Legacy,” highlighting the importance of protecting the life you’ve built for you and your family.  Follow #BeReady on social media for more information!

Online Resources

Disaster Dodgers - A playlist of short videos by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) teaching youth about different types of emergencies and how to prepare.

Family & Community Resources: Social & Emotional Supports - Explore LRC-South’s curated list of online resources under the dropdown “Responding to Disasters and Crises” to learn how to respond to natural disasters and other crises as a family.

Individuals with Disabilities - Ready.gov - People with disabilities and their families need to consider their individual circumstances and needs when planning for emergencies and disasters. Check out the resources on this page to get informed, make a plan, and build a kit that meets your family’s particular needs.  Includes a social media toolkit and videos with open captions and ASL.

Online Resources: Social & Emotional Learning - Explore LRC-South’s curated list of online resources for educators under the dropdown “Trauma & Disaster Related Resources.”

Ready Kids - Resources from Ready.gov for kids, teens, families, and educators or organizations to help all ages and roles prepare for a variety of disasters and emergencies. Includes games, curriculum, family emergency planning templates, and more!

September is Preparedness Month - Review resources from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to find ways to prepare for disasters and reduce risks to one’s health and the environment.  Includes general information about emergencies, how to report them, and how to prepare communities, schools, and businesses.

LRC-South Resources

To explore a curated list of resources for families and educators on being prepared for disasters, dealing with the aftermath of traumatic events, and building trauma sensitive classrooms, click here.

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Our Summer Learning Series wraps up with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, or STEAM! This month of August we also celebrate Kindergarten Readiness as some of the youngest learners start school for their first time. Everyone is gearing up for a successful school year as we get ready to go Back to School!

Summer Learning: STEAM (PreK-5th Grades)

Promote problem-solving, curiosity, and innovation with this month’s focus on STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Explore the resources below to engage your child in these important areas. This would also be an ideal time to check with your local library for free science museum passes or consider virtual field trips for your family!

Online Resources

Science Crash Course Kids - Explore these high interest videos for upper elementary students covering topics related to engineering, earth science, life science, physical science, and space science.

Franklin at Home - Explore the world with DIY hands-on activities, engaging videos, and deeper dives created for families by the Franklin Institute. Browse topics such as chemistry, engineering, and science recipes to discover soap bubble art, wingless airplanes, and more.

Games - NOAA SciJinks: It’s All About the Weather! - Learn all about the weather through a variety of games, including simulations for hurricanes, tornadoes, precipitation, and rainbows. Other games involve making lightning and growing snow crystals.  Use the sidebar menu for a deeper diver into specific weather-related topics.

Learn & Create with the LRC-South - Download an activity plan and view a video tutorial for hands-on educational activities ideal for young learners. This month is the perfect time to check out Incredible Insects, Marvelous Math Manipulatives, Living or Nonliving?, Marvelous Marble Run, or Interactive Weather Chart.

NASA for Students in Kindergarten to 4th Grade - Fun activities for primary and elementary aged children to do at home! Play games, do puzzles, make things, and explore interesting topics with NASA as your guide!

NSTA Daily Do - Check out the various tabs ranging from Elementary to Families. Find lesson plans and hands-on activities to complete with children. You will have the opportunity to explore lessons like “Why Is Rubber Used to Build Race Cars?” and “How Can We Pull Colors Apart?” 

Resources for Families - The STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education (STEMI2E2) Center provides evidence-based resources, tips, and ideas for families to use to help young children learn STEM in everyday routines and activities. Explore storybook conversations, discovery play activities, daily routine explorations, and video demos for families.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our STEAM resources for children in PreK through 5th grades, click here.

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Summer Learning: STEAM (6th-12th Grades)

Promote problem-solving, curiosity, and innovation with this month’s focus on STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Explore the resources below to engage your teen or tween in these important areas. This would also be an ideal time to check with your local library for free science museum passes or consider virtual field trips for your family!

Online Resources

Celebrate Urban Birds - Observe birds in an urban neighborhood and send your data to scientists at Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology! This bilingual community science project seeks to promote inclusive, accessible, and equitable birdwatching for all. Additional resources encourage participants to learn about the science behind the project and explore art as a vehicle for connecting with the outdoors.

Content Connections - Scroll down to view the Content Connection videos on the LRC-South’s Learning Activities page. These engaging activities include a video tutorial, activity plan, and data sheets when applicable. This month would be the perfect time to make a Marvelous Marble Maze or Balloon Rockets!

Imagineering in a Box - Learn how theme parks come to life in this self-paced learning module by Disney and Khan Academy for middle and high school students. View behind the scenes videos with Disney Imagineers and engage in project-based activities to design your own theme park.

NASA for Students in Grades 5-8 - Fun activities for tweens to do at home! Play games, do puzzles, make things, and explore interesting topics with NASA as your guide. Discover the night sky with resources for stargazers.

NASA for Students in Grades 9-12 - A variety of opportunities for teenagers to get involved with NASA, including contests, challenges, and competitions; internships and career exploration; engaging videos, interactives, and downloads; and social media platforms.

Pathways - A digital magazine for middle and high school students created by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and Scholastic, Inc. Includes engaging articles, activities, Kahoot! games, and videos on real-world science topics.

STEAM Games, Apps, and Sites - Explore this curated list by Common Sense Education to find games, apps, and websites that will keep adolescents enriched in learning all month long! These resources will cultivate critical thinking skills and empower your tweens and teens to create with confidence!

LRC-South Resources

To explore our STEAM resources for teens and tweens, click here.

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Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is the first year of formal schooling some children receive, so let’s make it count! Explore these resources to make the transition simpler by preparing your young learner.

Online Resources

How to Ease Your Child's Kindergarten Jitters - Edutopia - Tips for reducing your child’s anxiety.  Learn strategies for saying goodbye, exploring their new school, and addressing their concerns.

Readiness Checklist - Understood - Explore Understood.org’s resource to help guide your young learner in preparation for kindergarten. Topics include language skills, reading readiness, math, self-care, social and emotional, fine motor, and gross motor skills.

Ready or Not Kindergarten, Here We Come! - NAEYC - Check out these tips from the National Association for the Education of Young Children to prepare your kindergartener children for the onset of the new school year.

Successful Transition to Kindergarten for Learners Who May Be at Risk for Learning Disabilities - LD Online - Sometimes children need extra help making a successful move to kindergarten.  Consider these four suggestions for parents of children who struggled academically or socially in preschool. Also available in Spanish.

The Skills Kids Need for Kindergarten Readiness - Scholastic - Explore skills that are expected of kindergarteners.

LRC-South Resources

Click here to explore our resources that will help families get their child ready for kindergarten.

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Back to School

As we plan to return Back to School, let’s be prepared and ready to do our best.

Online Resources

Back-to-School: A 4-Week Plan for a Great Start - Understood - Download this one month planner with daily tips for helping your child start the year right. Check out the thinking style quiz and lunchbox notes as well!

Back-to-School Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling - Child Mind Institute - Resetting expectations and planning ahead can help children with learning challenges. This article explores how families can best support children who may have difficulties adjusting to a new school year.  Helpful for all ages!

Listen and Look at Back to School Night - Reading Rockets - Back to School Night is an ideal time to learn more about your child’s school.  Here are a few signs to observe that indicate your child is in a place where good reading instruction can take place.

Helping Students with Autism Transition into a New School Year - Edutopia - Learn how one family worked with their child’s teachers to minimize stress going into the new school year and consider what might work for your family!

Positive Student Profile - SPAN - Introduce your child to their new teachers and other staff members with this template developed by the NJ Department of Education Office of Special Education (NJOSE) and Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN). Sharing your family’s perspective of your child’s strengths, successes, and challenges will provide valuable insight for the educators who work with them!

LRC-South Resources

Click here to explore our resources that will help families and educators get the new year started on the right foot!

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This month we celebrate the diversity and significance of individuals with disability through Disability Pride Month. We also continue with our Summer Learning Series with a focus on Social Studies and civic engagement for families with children in preschool through 12th grades.

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the beautiful diversity and significant value of the disability community. It is held annually in July in celebration of the signing of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, which outlawed discrimination against and sought to ensure civil rights for individuals with disabilities in all spheres of public life. While not a nationally recognized month, many throughout the country celebrate Disability Pride with parades and advocacy events. Follow along on social media using hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth! To learn more about ADA anniversary celebrations, use hashtags #ADA32 and #ThanksToTheADA.

Online Resources

Celebrate Disability Pride Month - Learning for Justice highlights three articles as resources for educators seeking to create accessible learning environments and enhance their students’ understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month - The American Foundation for the Blind briefly describes the history of Disability Pride Month, explains the meaning behind the flag, and encourages readers with a call to action.

Disabled Young People Answer: What is Disability Pride? - Youth Disability Advocacy Service asks kids, teenagers, and young adults with diverse disabilities to describe what disability pride means to them.

Disability Pride Toolkit and Resource Guide - The National Council on Independent Living describes disability pride and its significance, contrasts the independent living/disability pride paradigm with the medical model/charity paradigm, shares videos with discussion questions, and curates resources on disability history and disability representation in the media.

I’m finally letting go of the shame of ADHD and learning disabilities - Understood - Chloe Gaynor shares her journey of feeling the stigma and shame of learning differently in school to being proud and open about having learning differences as a young adult.

NJ Human Services Celebrates Disability Pride Month 2021 - Learn about the importance of Disability Pride Month from New Jerseyans with disabilities and governmental agencies that support their full inclusion in society.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our resources that promote disability pride, click here.

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Summer Learning: Social Studies & Civic Engagement (PreK-5th Grades)

Social studies covers a wide array of topics that help children acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become active participants in our culturally diverse democracy and increasingly interconnected world. Explore the resources below to engage your child with summer learning opportunities in the four core disciplines of civics, economics, geography, and history. This would also be an ideal time to check with your local library for free museum passes or consider virtual field trips for your family!

Online Resources

50 Kid Friendly Volunteering Ideas - SignUpGenius - Hands on learning is the best kind of learning!  Teach your child the importance of getting involved in their community by using their time and talents to help others.  Explore this list of kid friendly volunteering ideas or develop your own.

Elementary Social Studies - PBS Learning Media for Students - Resources for students include videos, interactive lessons and activities, media galleries, audio recordings, images, and more!  Browse a variety of topics related to families and communities, state and regions, U.S. history, holidays, and world history.

History - National Geographic Kids - Learn about historical events and famous people from the past with articles, videos, and games!  You can also explore their collection of photos, fast facts, history, symbols, and geography for U.S. states and territories.

Social Studies Games - PBS Kids - Explore a variety of online games for kids that promote an understanding of important themes in Social Studies.  Discover jobs that make up a community in “A Job for Me,” help chickens vote for someone to watch them in “The Election Problem,” travel the globe with “Luna’s Postcards Around the World,” and much more!

Tips for Volunteering with Kids - PBS Kids for Parents - Children as young as three can learn the value of helping people and places in need!  Discover helpful tips for getting your family involved in community service.

World and US History for Kids - Ducksters - This informational website covers topics from ancient history, world history, and US history.  Scroll through to see timelines, photos, and questions answered about historical happenings.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our Social Studies resources for children in PreK through 5th grades, click here.

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Summer Learning: Social Studies & Civic Engagement (6th-12th Grades)

Social studies covers a wide array of topics that help children acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become active participants in our culturally diverse democracy and increasingly interconnected world. Explore the resources below to engage your tween or teen with summer learning opportunities in the four core disciplines of civics, economics, geography, and history. This would also be an ideal time to check with your local library for free museum passes or consider virtual field trips for your family!

Online Resources

Encouraging Youth Civic Engagement: 5 Tips for Parents and Caregivers - #PassTheMicYouth by N.C. Cooperative Extension identifies five ways families can encourage young people to use their voice and skills to create a better community for themselves and others.

Food Systems for Thought and Change - Through this series of at-home learning activities, tweens and teens can explore our modern food system, their place in it, and how to address social and environment issues related to food consumption. Brought to you by New York State 4-H, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

iCivics - Play games while learning about the inner workings of democracy!  Step inside the Situation Room and take on the role of president responding to international events in “Convene the Council,” jump into the lawmaking process of Congress in “LawCraft,” or explore over a dozen other civics-minded games!

Inspiring Middle School Literacy: Social Studies Topics - A collection by PBS Learning Media showcasing more than a dozen interactive lessons that your middle school child could explore at their own pace!  Topics include teens and immigration, the pyramids of ancient Egypt, copyright for sound media, and much more!

Inspiring Stories - Youth Engaged 4 Change - Young people across the country are volunteering, acting as leaders and role models, advocating, and making an impact in the lives of others. Share their stories with your teenager and encourage them to consider how they can create change as well.

Youth Service Knowledge Center - Toolkits, guides, and video training by Youth Service America designed to help youth find their voice, take action, and acquire powerful skills as they solve problems facing their communities.  For example, the “Youth Changing the World Toolkit” enables youth to make a meaningful impact on an issue important to them by providing guidance through each step of developing their own service project.  Requires submission of name and email address in order to access resources.

LRC-South Resources

To explore our Social Studies resources for youth in 6th through 12th grades, explore this curated list of our resources.

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