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!

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.

National Center on Improving Literacy - A partnership among literacy experts, dedicated to increasing access to, and use of, evidence-based approaches to screen, identify, and teach students with literacy-related disabilities, including dyslexia.

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-Hill 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. The article includes tips for implementation.

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 straightforward 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.

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.

LRC-South Resources

Explore all of our library resources with our Online Researcher.

LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

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This month we celebrate Disability Pride Month, which recognizes the history, achievements and experiences of the disability community. We also focus on Social Studies and civic engagement as part of our Summer Learning Series and highlight some great resources to help engage everyone in Inclusive Summer Play!

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is a time to recognize the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Celebrated annually in July in honor of the passage of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. Follow along on social media using hashtag #DisabilityPrideMonth! 

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.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month - Disability pride has been described as “accepting and honoring each person’s uniqueness and seeing it as a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.”

Disability Pride Month Division of Developmental Disabilities  - Learn about the importance of Disability Pride Month from New Jerseyans with disabilities and governmental agencies that support their full inclusion in society. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Smithsonian Kids - Group -  A one-stop-shop for young learners and their teachers and caregivers. Smithsonian programs and at-home resources for kids up to age 8. Includes guidance on how to locate more from individual museums, and share ideas for making museums accessible and inviting to young children. Smithsonian Kids digital programs, lessons, and activities are accessible anytime, anywhere.

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.

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 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

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 environmental 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.

Resources For Excellent Civics Education - AnnenbergClassroom.org provides a comprehensive, multimedia curriculum on the Constitution. Free classroom resources include videos, games, lesson plans and timelines as well as our popular Annenberg Guide to the Constitution, which provides the original text and then explains it in plain language. 

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.

Inclusive Summer Play

Being an inclusive friend sometimes takes practice and understanding. When your child has the opportunity to play with a child with different abilities, help them recognize barriers and be proactive in their choices. Together, you can discover exciting ways for everyone to participate and have fun together.

Online Resources 

A Summer Guide to Inclusive Play - Designed for K-8 students, the guide provides parents, caregivers, camp counselors, and others with strategies and activities to build student confidence and encourage belonging during the summer months.

10 Inclusive Summer Activities You’ll Want to Do Right Away - Kids Included Together - Planning out intentionally-inclusive activities for the summer takes into account a child’s needs and preferences, as well as some additional considerations. Make sure activities are free of barriers to physical access or participation and ensure they aren’t overstimulating or stress-inducing.

The Best Inclusive & Accessible Playgrounds in New Jersey - New Jersey has several amazing playgrounds built around the idea that all children, regardless of abilities, deserve fun, engaging places to play.

Guide to inclusive play - Sensory Trust - Inclusive play makes opportunities available to all children, regardless of disability and background. We believe children should all have the chance to play together.

Inclusive Summer Bucket List | Paula Kluth - A summer bucket list filled with options for inclusive activities.

LRC-South Resources

Explore all of our library resources with our Online Researcher.

LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

Not a member? Apply for a FREE membership today!

Our Summer Learning Series wraps up with an emphasis on STEAM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! We also focus on  Kindergarten Readiness - as some of the youngest learners prepare to start school for the first time, and explore great ideas for #FamilyFunMonth. 

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

Code.org - Get started coding today with free courses and activities!

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 @ 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.

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.

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.

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

Design Squad Global | PBS KIDS - Hands-on activities and videos that connect 10- to 13-year-olds in out-of-school programs around the world.

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!

The Ultimate STEM Guide for Kids: 239 Cool Sites About Science - Inspires kids and teens to use their problem-solving skills to find answers to impossible challenges and help shape a better future

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.

Family Fun Month

Each year, we celebrate Family Fun Month throughout the month of August. It is a great opportunity to enjoy the last days of summer with some great family fun and activities.

Online Resources

20 Fun Family Activities to Do at Home - Tons of fun ideas - without leaving home! 

100 Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids Before They Grow Up - From the gorgeous Jersey Shore beaches to our plentiful Garden State farms, New Jersey offers tons of incredible kids' activities.  

Book-Based Toolkits and Guides | Start with a Book -  free, downloadable toolkits and guides to enrich summer and afterschool learning at home or through youth programs. Explore music, nature and the environment, space, civics, multicultural stories, and more!

Family Bucket List: 100+ Fun Activities & the Best Things to Do with Kids - Loaded with inspiration and activities to create fun family memories!

Free Or Inexpensive Places For Family Fun In And Around New Jersey - There are some truly amazing places in New Jersey area that the family can go for free, or at a very small cost. 

Jersey Family Fun - Go to resource for fun family friendly activities in the state of New Jersey! 

New Jersey’s State Parks, Forests and Historic Sites | NJDEP - Search New Jersey’s state parks and forests by location or activity.  Bike, hike, or skate your way through 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.

The NJ Library Museum Pass 2023 – Your Ticket to FREE Admission to Local Museums - Visit your local library to inquire about borrowing family passes to local museums and other educational attractions. Includes a list of participating libraries by county!

Virtual Field Trips - There’s no limit to how far you can travel this summer - take an exciting trip online with these great virtual field trips!

LRC-South Resources

Explore all of our library resources with our Online Researcher.

LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

Not a member? Apply for a FREE membership today!

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

In December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as World Down Syndrome Day to raise public awareness. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has an extra partial (or whole) copy of chromosome 21. Each year, approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children are born with this chromosome disorder.

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.

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

In 1987, President Reagan recognized March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to increase “public awareness of the needs and the potential of Americans with developmental disabilities” and to provide the “encouragement and opportunities they need to lead productive lives and to achieve their full potential.” Throughout this month, we raise awareness about the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all facets of community life,and raise awareness of the barriers that people with disabilities still sometimes face in connecting to the communities in which they live.

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.

NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities - The Division of Developmental Disabilities assures the opportunity for individuals with developmental disabilities to receive quality services and supports, participate meaningfully in their communities, and exercise their right to make choices.

The New Jersey Council on Developmental Disabilities - The NJCDD engages in advocacy, collaboration, and education to fulfill its 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.

Deaf History Month

The National Association of the Deaf first introduced National Deaf History Month in 1997, as a time to raise awareness about the deaf community. We use this month to focus on honoring the immense contributions of deaf individuals and the deaf community to our country, and learn more about the ongoing advocacy work many organizations undertake to make life easier and more inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

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.

5 Deaf Educators Share Inclusivity Tips to Embrace in Your Classroom - National Geographic asked five Deaf educators what we should know about Deaf culture, Deaf history, ASL, and Deaf education in order to be more inclusive.

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!

National Association of the Deaf - The mission of the National Association of the Deaf is to preserve, protect, and promote the civil, human, and linguistic rights of Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened people in the United States of America.

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.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California in 1978 when the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (CA) Commission on the Status of Women planned their first “Women’s History Week” celebration during the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country and in February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week. In March, 1987 Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month” to honor women’s contributions in American history.

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. 

National Women's History Museum - An innovative online museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society.

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 Month | National Archives - Learn about the history of women in the United States by exploring their stories through letters, photographs, film, and other primary sources.

Women’s History in the United States | NEH-Edsitement - Our Teacher's Guide provides compelling questions, lesson activities, resources for teaching about the intersection of place and history, and multimedia resources to integrate women's perspectives and experiences throughout the school year.

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 in American History | American Experience | Official Site | PBS - Women lead advancements in science, technology, politics, sports and activism—often fighting against inequity and opposition at every turn. In this collection, explore films, interviews, articles, image galleries and more for an in-depth look at notable female figures in American history.

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.

Music in Our Schools Month

The purpose of MIOSM is to raise awareness of the importance of music education for all children – and to remind everyone that all children should have access to music and music education in school. It is an opportunity for music teachers to bring their music programs to the attention of the school and the community, and to display the benefits that music brings to students of all ages.

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.

Youth Art Month

Since 1961, Youth Art Month has celebrated the impact of school art programs and recognized art education as an essential part of the education curriculum. Visual arts can help students foster creativity while developing skills like problem solving, observation and communication. Participation in and creation of art is a necessary for the development of students as global citizens and for an improved quality of life for all.

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 - LD OnLine 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.

LRC-South Resources

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During the month of April, we move beyond #AutismAwareness and celebrate #AutismAcceptance by recognizing and embracing #Neurodiversity. We also engage our young learners during the Week of the Young Child® (#WOYC) with daily themes of movement, music, food, art, and collaboration. April promotes environmental education 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

April is Autism Acceptance Month - a small, but significant shift from Autism Awareness. Many self-advocates for autism spectrum disorders view their neurodivergence as a difference in thinking, so they ask others to accept them for who they are, and not view their difference as something that needs to be cured. They ask for acceptance and support, not isolation. This recognition promotes inclusion and connectedness for people with autism in schools and communities to help individuals with autism reach their full potential.

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.

April Is Autism Acceptance Month, Not Autism Awareness Month - April is known for spring, flowers, and Autism Acceptance Month. Yet, autism rights groups are asking schools and the media to focus on the inclusion and acceptance of those with different neurologies. This starts with the small, but significant, change from Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance Language matters.

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.

Rowan University Center for Neurodiversity aims to situate neurodiversity in its DEI initiatives and to value the neurodiversity culture. For more information on programming, research and resources, please visit go.rowan.edu/neurodiversity

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.

Week of the Young Child® - NAEYC

Established in 1971, the WOYC is an annual event sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. The WOYC aims to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the value of the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

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.

Earth Month

Sparked by the celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Earth Month was created in 1970 to increase awareness of the need for sustainable climate solutions. It is recognized every April to raise environmental awareness and create consciousness around the issues that affect our planet during this time of global crisis.

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 every day! 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.

An Earth Month Playlist: Documentaries Centering Indigenous Voices - Documentaries and programs that show environmental stewardship from Indigenous perspectives.

Environmental Education Resources | NEEF - Browse educator toolkits, educational activities, and activity 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.

National Poetry Month

National Poetry Month is the largest literary celebration in the world, marking poetry’s important place in our culture and our lives. It is celebrated every April with activities, initiatives, and resources so that all can join in the celebration! #NationalPoetryMonth #PocketPoem

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!

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

Explore all of our library resources with our Online Researcher.

LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

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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

Each year New Jersey honors students, their educators, parents, schools, and the school board members that contribute to the high quality special education services in our state.

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.

National Speech-Language-Hearing Month

Each May, National Speech-Language-Hearing Month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and the role of ASHA members in providing life-altering treatment. It is also an opportunity to promote hearing health and encourage people to think about their own hearing and get their hearing checked.

Online Resources

National Speech-Language-Hearing 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.

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children | Reading Rockets  - Get tips and classroom practices for supporting reading instruction for children with hearing loss. Parents can find answers to frequently asked questions about nurturing their deaf child’s literacy growth.

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.

NJDOE Speech and Language Services - Information and resources from the New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education.

NJSHA | New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association - Empowers audiologists, speech-language pathologists, speech, language and hearing scientists and future professionals by providing resources and support to its members and those they serve through Professional Development/Continuing Education; advocacy; public awareness; networking and mentoring.

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.

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.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Each May we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to pay tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

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.

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

Free Learning Resources to Celebrate Asian American Heritage | Common Sense Education - Explore the history and achievements of Asian Americans with activities, videos, and more for AANHPI month (and beyond).

Free Learning Resources to Celebrate Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage | Common Sense Education - Explore the history and achievements of Asian Americans with activities, videos, and more for AANHPI month (and beyond).

Teaching Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage | Learning for Justice - Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn 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.

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Month raises awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children, families, and communities. Mental Health Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness of the importance of mental health, to reduce the stigma of mental health issues, and to celebrate prevention, treatment and recovery from mental health issues.

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.

InfoAboutKids - An ongoing collaboration of the Consortium for Science-Based Information on Children, Youth and Families. Designed to promote healthy child and family development  with links to other well-established, trustworthy websites for parents, other caregivers, and professionals. Monthly blogs summarize science-based information on timely topics. Information provided on the site is meant to complement and not replace any advice or information from a health or education professional.

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.

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.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

During the month of May, National Physical Fitness & Sports Month provides an opportunity to celebrate and promote physical activity and the benefits of sports participation for all. Being active is key to maintaining health and overall well-being. Physical activity can improve fitness and reduce stress, reduce the risk for many chronic diseases, and also ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. Youth sports can help kids and teens get active and develop key skills like leadership, time management, collaboration and relationship-building.

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.

National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability (NCHPAD) | For Educators - 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

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LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

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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, Inclusive Schools Week, 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.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities: December 3rd

Celebrated annually on December 3rd, International Day of Persons with Disabilities recognizes the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities, learning from their experiences, and taking actions to create a more inclusive 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 (IDPwD) - 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.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities | WHO - The day is about promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development, and to raise awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic, and cultural life. WHO joins the UN in observing this day each year, reinforcing the importance of securing the rights of people with disabilities, so they can participate fully, equally and effectively in society with others, and face no barriers in all aspects of their lives.

Inclusive Schools Week

Since 2001, educators, students, and families have used the first fill week in December to celebrate the progress that schools have made in providing inclusive and equitable education to a diverse student population. It's also a time to reflect on what still needs to be done in order to ensure that schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. See what other educators, students, schools, and families are doing to celebrate by following #InclusiveSchoolsWeek and #InclusiveSchools on social media!

Online Resources

Building an Inclusive Classroom Series | LRC-South -  A multi-part series that provides key classroom strategies that promote inclusive practices and support all educators. Key topics include collaboration, relationship building, differentiated & universally designed instruction, and acceptance of diversity.

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, the 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.

Inclusive Education Practices | NJDOE - Resources centered on providing access to high-quality education for all students in an educational environment that is inclusive and rooted in the belief that everyone belongs, and everyone benefits.

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.

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. Check out what other educators, students, and families are doing or share your own activities using hashtags #HourOfCode and #CSEdWeek.

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.

Think Like A Coder | TED-Ed - This 10-episode narrative follows a girl, Ethic, and her robot companion, Hedge, as they attempt to save the world. The two embark on a quest to collect three artifacts and must solve their way through a series of programming puzzles.

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 Universal Declaration of Human Rights | UN - A milestone document in the history of human rights. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

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.

Kahoot! - 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!

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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, AmeriCorps 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

January is Braille Literacy Month, in honor of the birthday of Louis Braille, creator of the braille writing/reading system, who was born on January 4th, 1809. The observance raises awareness of the importance of Braille to the blind and visually impaired community.

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.

Celebrate Braille Literacy Month!- January Is Braille Literacy Month! Find out where you can learn Braille, where to get free Braille books, ideas to celebrate Louis Braille's birthday, and more resources on Braille.

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 TED-Ed 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.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service (MLK Day) is the only federal holiday that is also designated by Congress as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” Participation in service activities has grown each year as more Americans are encouraged to  to volunteer in service projects that improve their communities. 

Online Resources

9 Resources for Teaching about MLK's Legacy | Facing History & Ourselves - resources that can help you reflect on your own teaching practices, teach the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and explore contemporary issues around racial justice and democracy in the United States.

The Best of Our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Resources | Learning for Justice - Supplement your lessons on Dr. King's words and actions with these resources.

Classroom Resources - The King Center - Classroom resources are designed to help educators teach about Martin Luther King, Jr., Coretta Scott King, nonviolence, and the civil rights movement. From bite-sized educational videos to interactive lesson plans, our resources support social-emotional learning; character-building; diversity, equity, and inclusion learning objectives; and, social justice learning objectives.

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!

Learning and Living the Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. | NEA - Lesson plans, activity ideas & other resources for teaching MLK Day

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute - The King Institute supports a broad range of educational activities illuminating Dr. King's life and the movements he inspired.

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!

Teaching about Martin Luther King Jr. - Lessons and Resources About Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement Beyond “I have a dream.”

National Mentoring Month

Each January, we celebrate the power of mentoring and encourage others to explore how mentoring programs can have a positive impact on society by enabling people and organizations to create more productive, engaged, and satisfied individuals. Follow #MentoringMonth and #ThankYourMentor.

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.

News Literacy Month

National News Literacy Week encourage news consumers to stop the flood of misinformation and learn how to identify trustworthy news. Find events and resources that will explore the complex issues relating to declining trust in national news media and highlight successful efforts to help rebuild credibility. #newsliteracy

Online Resources

News Literacy Project - A nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better-informed, more engaged, and more empowered individuals.

Center for Media Literacy (CML) -  An educational organization that provides leadership, public education, professional development and evidence-based educational resources nationally and internationally. Dedicated to promoting and supporting media literacy education as a framework for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating and participating with media content, CML works to help citizens, especially the young, develop critical thinking and media production skills needed to live fully in the 21st-century media culture.

Center for News Literacy |  Stony Brook University - The Center is committed to teaching students how to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and news sources. It is the only center of its kind in the United States.

Civic Online Reasoning- Free lessons and assessments for today’s educators. Download a single lesson or the full curriculum. Classroom-ready materials that let you integrate lesson plans into existing curriculum or teach as a separate module.

National Association for Media Literacy Education - Aims to make media literacy highly valued and widely practiced as an essential life skill. NAMLE envisions a day when everyone, in our nation and around the world, possesses the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication. Media literacy education refers to the practices necessary to foster these skills. 

National News Literacy Week -   as news consumers, we, too, must show up and become more news-literate — understand the hallmarks of quality journalism and learn to spot mis- and disinformation. We each have a role and a responsibility to close the credibility gap. That’s why this year’s National News Literacy Week was focused on clarifying the problem of public distrust.

“Countering Truth Decay,” RAND Corporation - RAND defines “Truth Decay” as the diminishing role of facts and analysis in American public life. This phenomenon has taken hold over the last two decades, eroding civil discourse, causing political paralysis, and leading to public uncertainty and disengagement. Find articles, research, and tools to help explore elements of news literacy.

Digital Citizenship - Moving Beyond Literacy to Fluency | LRC-South - Digital technology has become a fundamental part of our world, and digital citizenship skills are essential for all of us, regardless of skill or experience. The more digitally  “fluent” we are, the more likely we are to make good decisions online. Fluency includes the need for media literacy and the ability to discern good information from poor, such as real news from “fake news.”

How Countries Around the World Support News Literacy | Psychology Today - Mis- and disinformation threatens democracy, but a better-informed, civically engaged public can act to lessen the threat. We know from research that this kind of education needs to begin early. Research suggests that belief in conspiracy theories starts around age 14 - training in media literacy needs to begin at an early age. 

LRC-South Educational Technology | Digital Citizenship - Explore the LRC-South Digital Citizenship page to find curated resources, curriculum, and more to help you understand the importance of digital citizenship and media fluency in our day-to-day lives.

Resources – U.S. Media Literacy Week - A variety of resources to help inspire individuals, educators, community members, parents, and anyone else interested in media literacy to host their own events or lessons during Media Literacy Week! From understanding the basics of media literacy to gathering concrete ideas for celebrating all things media, check out our resource list to the left to help you get started! 

The Trust Project Resources - The 8 Trust Indicators can be a great tool to add to lesson plans on identifying trustworthy sources and discerning real journalism from disinformation. 

The Trust Project – Quiz - How well can you spot trustworthy news? Take this 4-question quiz to find out.

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This month, we recognize the benefits of career and technical education (#CTE) by celebrating Career & Technical Education Month (#CTEMonth). We honor the lives and contributions of African Americans during #BlackHistoryMonth and also join others across our community to engage in Random Acts of Kindness (#RAK), with Random Acts of Kindness Day celebrated on February 17th.  #MakeKindessTheNorm.

Career & Technical Education Month

Career and Technical Education Month®, or CTE Month®, takes place each February to raise awareness of the role that CTE has in readying learners for college and career success. It celebrates the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country.

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.

Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans in U.S. history. Officially recognized in 1976 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebrations, Black History Month honors the contributions and sacrifices of African Americans who have helped shape our nation.

Online Resources

Black History Month - Every February, people in the United States celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans as part of Black History Month.

Black History Month | NCSS - In recognition of Black History Month, this NCSS resource page offers a rich collection of teaching materials from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner designed to help you deepen your students' understanding of African American history. 

Black History Month: Facts, Origins & More | History Channel -Explore resources and photo galleries depicting the origins of Black History Month.

Black History Month - The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society. 

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.

History and Overview - Black History Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide | Library of Congress - The Law Library of Congress has prepared materials with commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months. This guide provides a brief history of the laws and presidential proclamations that established Black History Month.

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.

Random Acts of Kindness Week  

Let’s celebrate all the ways we can become a positive influence in each other's lives. Put kindness first and share it everywhere you go! Everyone needs a little kindness sometimes, so make an effort to be unexpectedly kind to someone this week - just because you can! Follow along at #SpreadKindness, #BeKind, #KindnessMatters, or #Kindness.

Online Resources

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

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation - FREE kindness resources to help you make kindness the norm.

100 Random Acts of Kindness Ideas - Small gestures can really brighten a person’s day. These “random acts of kindness” are surefire ways to spread smiles and kindness wherever you go.

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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We prepare to head back to school and celebrate the right to education for all by engaging in literacy activities on International Literacy Day (September 8th). September is also recognized as National Deaf Awareness Month and we begin our celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15th.

Back to School

As we get ready to head Back to School for another year, let’s get  prepared and be ready to do our very 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!

Back to School Tips for Parents - Child Mind Institute - Model confidence, create structure, and get to know the new teacher

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!

National Deaf Awareness Month

The first International Day of the Deaf was first celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958, and the day was later extended to the International Week of the Deaf beginning on September 20. The purpose of Deaf Awareness Month is to increase public awareness of Deaf issues, people, and culture. Focusing on promoting the positive aspects of deafness, encouraging social inclusion, and raising awareness of organizations locally, nationally and globally that support those who are deaf.

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!

National Deaf Center - Resources - products and services are deaf-centered, evidence-based, and developed in response to community needs. We offer online courses, online gaming tools for youth, data reports, research summaries, evidence-based resources, webinars, and more.

World Federation of the Deaf - By promoting human rights and access to sign language, the WFD is improving the lives of millions of deaf people who face inequality everyday. Find information and 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.

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 to 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.  Also available in Spanish.

Hispanic Heritage - A collection of resources on History.com that explores 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 Resources | National Museum of the American Latino  - A collection of resources from the National Museum of the American Latino at the Smithsonian Institute. 

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.

5 Teacher Resources for Hispanic American Heritage Month | Facing History & Ourselves - Free teacher resources of lessons designed to help educators bring the richness of Latinx life and history into focus in the classroom.

National Hispanic Heritage Month - A collaborative project of the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.

Free Learning Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month | Common Sense Education - videos, articles, and activities to bring the achievements of Hispanic and Latino people into your classroom.

International Literacy Day

Celebrate International Literacy Day on September 8th. Since 1967, International Literacy Day (ILD) celebrations have taken place annually around the world to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. Use #LiteracyDay 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!

I Love Libraries - 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.

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!

National Children's Good Manners Month

September is National Good Children’s Manners Month. It is a great time to teach children about courtesy, respect and thoughtfulness. While these resources may be helpful, always remember that children learn best by observing parents, teachers, or other adults in their lives modeling the skills for them.

Online Resources

September Is National Children's Good Manners Month - Teach courtesy, thoughtfulness, and respect this month with these titles that reinforce good conduct.

Kid President's 20 Things We Should Say More Often - Kid President believes the things we say can help make the world more awesome. Here he shares a special list of 20 things we should say more often. What would you add to it?

22 Simple Manners All Kids Should Know - Proper etiquette doesn't always come instinctually to kids. By instilling these good manners, you'll end up with a thoughtful and polite child who gets recognized for the right reasons!

How Rude! An Age-by-Age Guide to Teaching Kids Manners | Family Education - What's the path to good manners for your children? Get age-appropriate tips for raising polite children, from toddlers to teens, who behave well at the dinner table and beyond.

How to Teach Kids Manners - Teaching good manners can be a little tricky, however. It can be hard to convince a child to follow basic etiquette when their peers at school or online might not be doing so. The ideal approach combines direct instruction, modeling the behaviors you want to see, and reinforcing your expectations with praise and consequences

Teaching Children Manners - Helping young children learn appropriate, polite and considerate behavior enables them to form good manners and become more socially attentive as they get older. It’s easier to nurture first-class child behavior if you work as a family to set the rules for good manners in many different situations.

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During October, we learn about Disability History and explore ideas to support Disability Employment. We also focus on learning differences as part of Learning Disabilities and International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. We also observe National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and Safe Schools Week, with a emphasis on how Digital Citizenship can keep us safe online.

Learning Disabilities 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. Spend time this month teaching yourself or others about learning disabilities, ADHD, Dyslexia and examine the unique contributions that neurodivergent individuals bring to our schools and communities. Engage on social media using hashtags #LDAwareness and #LDAwarenessMonth.

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.

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month - share stories from people living with dyslexia, insights into dyslexia around the world, events held by branches of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) across the United States and Global Partners around the world. Track #DyslexiaAroundTheWorld and #UntilEveryoneCanRead to make sure you don’t miss a post!

Down Syndrome Awareness Month - Down syndrome is one of the most common types of intellectual disabilities. So it’s no surprise that each year in October we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise public awareness about the condition, and advocate for acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Understood | 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.

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!

Learning Disabilities: ADHD, Dyscalculia, and Dyslexia | Learner Variability Project - Specific learning disabilities can include dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, while attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) centers on an individual's challenge with focus. Learning and attention issues often co-occur. These brain-based differences are not the result of low intelligence, poor vision, or hearing, yet with appropriate, evidence-based programs and strategies educators can support a learner to become successful in school, work, and life.

National Center for Learning Disabilities - Working to improve the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and attention issues—by empowering parents and young adults, transforming schools, and advocating for equal rights and opportunities.

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.

Disability History Month

October of each year is designated as "Disability History and Awareness Month" in New Jersey to foster awareness and understanding of the history, achievements, and experiences of people with disabilities. 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

NJDOE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Educational Resources - Provides a wide range of resources that can be used to develop curricula, facilitate professional learning, and engage community stakeholders in conversations on incorporating diversity and inclusion throughout the kindergarten through twelfth grade learning environment. The featured lessons, activities, and resources were selected to support educators in implementing the new legislative requirements of the 2019 History and Contributions of Individuals with Disabilities and LGBT (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.35), Diversity and Inclusion statutes (N.J.S.A. 18A:35-4.36a). 

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?

Sample 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 the present day.

Disability Social History Project - The Disability History Project is a community history project and we welcome your participation. This is an opportunity for disabled people to reclaim disability history and determine how to define ourselves and our struggles. People with disabilities have an exciting and rich history that should be shared with the world.

Disability Visibility Project - Disability Visibility Project® shares the diverse voices of people in the disability community and preserves their history for all. 

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).

Judy Heumann: The Mother of ADA - Teacher Judy Heumann dedicated her life to fighting for disability rights and was one of the architects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), changing U.S. society forever.

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.

International Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness

Augmentative means to add to someone’s speech. Alternative means to be used instead of speech. AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. People of all ages can use AAC if they have trouble with speech or language skills. Some people use AAC throughout their life. International AAC Awareness Month was established in October 2007. The goal is to raise awareness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and to inform the public about the many different ways in which people communicate using communication devices.

Online Resources

ISAAC – AAC Awareness -  Collected resources from international events, such as published collections of stories, videos, and songs, demonstrating ways that people have come together in past years to promote AAC awareness.

Assistive Technology for Communication - Free for New Jersey residents, the Assistive Technology Center provides highly qualified staff, up-to-date assistive technology (AT), and support throughout the process of evaluating, trials, purchasing, and implementing AT for communication.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) - Information and resources on AAC from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 

AAC Awareness Month: Show Your Voice - ASHA Journals Academy - In honor of AAC Awareness Month, we’re presenting the latest for clinicians and researchers who are looking to assist and empower people who use AAC. As part of this year’s theme of “Show Your Voice,” the articles we’re featuring can help you support and advocate for children and adults who use AAC.

Integrating AAC Into the Classroom | The ASHA Leader - Although many equate AAC with high-end technology and high expense, for some potential users, the most ideal AAC systems are often low-tech solutions with a minimal price tag. The key to implementing low-tech options in the classroom is identifying appropriate low-tech strategies and pairing them with motivating classroom activities that are rich with communication prospects.

My PECS | PECS Card Categories - An online PECS catalog accessible to all.

PrAACtical AAC - A community of professionals and families who are determined to improve the communication and literacy abilities of people with significant communication difficulties. 

Pyramid Education Consultants | Free Materials -  Free materials for professionals and caregivers to support your efforts with your learners.  

SET-BC | Search for Classroom & Training Resources - Helping to provide the support needed to better educate students with complex needs.

USSAAC - The Voice of AAC - USSAAC, the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, is an organization dedicated to supporting the needs and rights of people who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).  

What is AAC? | AssistiveWare - An introduction to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). What is AAC, and who is it for? What are the different types of AAC? What are the benefits of AAC?

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! 

NJ Division of Disability Services | Employment - Links and resources provided by the NJ Division of Disability Services to aid individuals with disabilities in their search for employment.

The New Jersey Transition Toolkit - Designed to assist school staff and students with disabilities and their families in their efforts to prepare students with disabilities for entry into a successful adult life after high school, as students “transition” from school to adult life. 

Northeast ADA Center | Employment - The aim of the ADA is to ensure that all people with disabilities can fully and equally participate in all aspects of American society.Contains links, articles, blogs and more related to disability employment.

Celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) - Links and resources to support the campaign for disability employment.

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.

National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month & Safe Schools Week

National Bullying Prevention Month 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. 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 is also 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.

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) | NJDOE - information and resources to aid schools in the establishment of HIB policies, the adoption of HIB program strategies, the implementation of proactive responses to HIB and the adoption of effective HIB reporting procedures.

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.

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!

Digital Citizenship Week

Every year, the third week of October is dedicated to teaching good digital citizenship in hopes that all students will become safe and smart when using technology.

Online Resources

Digital Citizenship in Education (ISTE) - Digital citizenship shouldn’t be a long list of don’ts. It should be about the do’s that help create thoughtful, empathetic digital citizens who can wrestle with the important ethical questions at the intersection of technology and humanity. 

Digital Citizenship | Common Sense Education - Everything You Need to Teach Digital Citizenship

Digital Citizenship Week: Free K-12 Lessons | Nearpod - Free resources for you for Digital Citizenship Week to teach about online safety, cyberbullying, digital literacy, and more. 

Digital Citizenship Week: Five Tips for Embedding Digital Citizenship in Schools -- THE Journal - Digital citizenship is not something that can be taught during one lesson at the beginning of the year; it is something that needs to be embedded in a school’s culture and part of the everyday language in the classroom. Tips for implementing digital citizenship into your school’s technology plan.

How to Celebrate Digital Citizenship Week - Discover a full week’s worth of Digital Citizenship Week activities and ideas

Designing a Digital Family Contract | LRC-South - What should we know, understand and practice when using digital devices? Digital family contracts outline the ground rules on how devices and digital technologies are to be used by all members of the family with guidelines and suggestions for keeping everyone safe online.

Digital Citizenship for All | LRC-South - Digital technology has become a fundamental part of our world, and digital citizenship skills are essential for all of us, regardless of skill or experience. We are all connected as citizens of a global, digital community so we need to ensure we have the skills we need to be active and responsible participants.

LRC-South Educational Technology | Digital Citizenship - Explore the LRC-South Digital Citizenship page to find curated resources, curriculum, and more to help you understand the importance of digital citizenship in our day-to-day lives.

LRC-South Resources

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LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

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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  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 -Two short videos on relationship building and making connections with students and their families, part of this LRC-South online video module series.

Bridging School & Home Through Shared Tools: For Families - Video designed to introduce families to differentiated instruction and support them in implementing the learning cubes strategy at home. Families will learn how to create and use learning cubes as a way to make learning at home more engaging and interactive. 

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.

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.

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.

Indigenous Peoples Lesson Plans and Resources - PreK-12 collection of resources and lesson plans on Indigenous peoples and Native Americans.

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 History | National Archives - The National Archives holds hundreds of thousands of U.S. Government records relating to Native Americans, from as early as 1774 through the mid-1990s. These include every treaty signed with Native Americans, records from the Indian Schools, Indian Census Rolls, and Bureau of Indian Affairs records.

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.

National Native American Heritage Month - The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans.

National Native American Heritage Month | DoDEA - Activities, information and resources to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

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.

Native Narratives | Common Sense Media -  Family-friendly entertainment to share and learn about the past, present, and future of our people. Mainstream entertainment has often mis- and underrepresented the truth of Indigenous peoples. Share the history, culture, and community of Indigenous peoples as we envision a better future for our children.

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 Indigenous peoples.

National Veteran and Military Families Month

November was declared Military Family Month in 1996 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, #VeteransandMilitaryFamiliesMonth, 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 Military Family Association - For more than 50 years, the National Military Family Association (NMFA) has been on a mission to stand up for, support, and enhance the quality of life for every military family through bold advocacy, innovative programming, and dynamic and responsive solutions.

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.

Resources Especially for Military Families - Being part of a military family can be filled with many surprises, challenges, and opportunities, but it can be especially challenging for children with disabilities. Provides resources to make the family’s transition a bit more smoothly for all involved.

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 | 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 pre-K & kindergarten 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).

Geography Awareness Week

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 #ThatsGeography on social media to explore more!

Online Resources

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!

City Guesser - Can you guess what city you're in? Use street-level videos to identify cities in the US, monuments around the globe, and locations from countries all around the world.

GeoGuessr - Let's explore the world! -GeoGuessr is a geography game that takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings.

Geography | PBS Learning - Browse Geography videos, interactive activities, teaching materials, and more! Get fun and engaging curriculum-aligned content on topics such as the tools used by geographers, ancient maps to modern geographic information systems (GIS), and methods of geography over time.

Geography Resources for Teachers - A collection of resources for teachers who are teaching Human Geography (Including Advanced Placement), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), International Studies, and World Geography

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.

Map Skills for Students | National Geographic  - Collection of map activities designed to strengthen spatial thinking skills for students. Spatial thinking deepens our understanding of history and is linked to success in math and science. It enhances our language skills as we collaborate and communicate about spatial relationships. Students who develop robust spatial thinking skills will be at an advantage in an increasingly global and technological society.

Middle and High School Geography Apps and Websites | Common Sense Education - The great geography apps, games, and websites on this list help students explore and understand these relationships and how they impact society and culture. As students use these tools to explore more of the planet, they'll begin to think critically about the issues and problems affecting their communities and learn how to be good local and global citizens.

National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) Resources- NCGE is committed to ensuring that all students graduate to with the knowledge, perspectives and skills to make informed decisions as they go through life. We strive to support all educators in their desire to create engaging, authentic, inquiry-based learning experiences for students at all levels.

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 the hashtag #picturebookmonth.

Online Resources

Award-Winning and Notable Kids' Books | Reading Rockets - Find out about the annual winners of the Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, and Pura Belpré Illustrator Award — as well as other children's book awards from the American Library Association and other literacy organizations.

Diverse BookFinder- Help inform the diversity and representation discussion with this comprehensive collection of children's picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC).

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.

Teaching Ideas | TeachingBooks - Celebrate and incorporate picture books with these resources from TeachingBooks.

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

Explore all of our library resources with our Online Researcher.

LRC-South library and digital resources are available for borrowing by LRC-South members. 

Not a member? Apply for a FREE membership today!