For Teachers

Facing the Future

Lesson plans, publications, and service learning projects from Facing the Future are impressive because they promote academic rigor and student engagement in current issues, such as climate change, social justice, and peace.
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Rethinking Schools

Like YES! Magazine, Rethinking Schools strives to be both visionary and practical. We are delighted to share three of their lesson plans that get to the heart of a real-world education. >> More

Teaching Economics as if People Mattered

United for a Fair Economy's curriculum materials give your students a candid assessment of the current economic crisis, and identify strategies for an economic recovery that is sustainable and just. It’s the kind of frank, real-life discussion your students need, to make sense of this chaos. >> More

Exemplary Essay Project

This newly launched project demonstrates how teachers can use YES! resources, and provides students an opportunity to voice their opinions and show off their stellar writing.

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Multimedia resources from Sustainable Table

Offer your students resources about industrial and sustainable agriculture and where their food comes from. >>More

Resources for Teaching and Learning About Food

Everyone can make positive changes in their food choices—for their own health and for the health of our planet. So plant some seeds today, and share their bounty come summer. >>More

7 Doors Project

The 7 Doors Project explores the idea of your real and lasting happiness, regardless of the circumstances around you. Behind each of the seven doors is the opportunity to explore an aspect of your own path to happiness. >>More

Teaching Happiness

When did you last ask, “How am I doing? How can I be happy and bring happiness to the lives of others?”

You’ll find great fodder for those reflections in YES! Magazine's Happiness Issue. >>More

TEACHING TOLERANCE :: Speak Up!

Teaching Tolerance’s "Speak Up! Responding to Everyday Bigotry" guidebook will empower your students to stand up to prejudice.

The good news is that your students not only will learn about the injustice that takes place in homes, workplaces, schools, and amongst friends and neighbors, but they will also learn how to speak up! >>More

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS :: Debate Watching 101

The League of Women Voters’ Debate Watching Tools include Debate Watching 101, How to Judge a Candidate, and a candidate scorecard. Watching a debate is more exciting as a group.

So, gather your students and be part of history!  >>More

TRANSFAIR :: Focus on Fair Trade

TransFair USA's Focus on Fair Trade Curriculum will thoughtfully teach your students the concept of global interdependence and citizenship. Familiar imported foods serve as the means for understanding: Chocolate Explorer (K-2) Banana Bonanza (3-6) and Coffee Connections (7-12).

Designed with age-appropriate standards, your students will learn about the challenges for farmers and economic inequities. By the end of their studies, they will understand why Fair Trade is an empowering approach to poverty alleviation.  >>More

CHOICES :: Teaching Foreign Policy with the News

These lesson plans from the Choices Program at Brown University will challenge your students' current views about U.S. policies toward other countries. Using news headlines as the hook, your students will be pulled into debates and analyses as they weigh the pros and cons of different policy options. >>More

The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Teaching Tools

The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign Teaching Tools offers a five-part series of lesson plans designed for use in high school classrooms.

Ranging from one to three class periods in length, these interactive activities explore key themes surrounding Green-Collar Jobs Campaign's work, including: the green economy, eco-equity and eco-privilege, model cities, and restorative justice. >>More

The Story of Stuff :: Another Way

The Story of Stuff shows how everything is interconnected —from the production and disposal of stuff to the disastrous impact that over-consumption has on our environment and developing countries. And it’s not just about consumption—the film raises questions and issues about the role of government, the purpose of an economy, and what makes us happy.

The YES! Education Program and Free Range Studios (producers of The Story of Stuff), present teaching resources on consumption and sustainability.

Curriculum resources from the Voices in Wartime Education Project.

The YES! Education Program and Voices in Wartime Education Project are partnering to develop curriculum resources and expand our outreach to teaching and learning about the impact of war and the value of peace. Materials include:
* Trailer for Voices in Wartime documentary
* Curriculum materials from the Voices in Wartime Education Project
* Poetry featured in Voices in Wartime
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TOOLS FOR TEACHING: Americans Who Tell the Truth

The collection of citizens portrayed in Robert Shetterly's Americans who Tell the Truth constitutes a moving testimony to the power of individuals to effect positive change through their words and actions. The portraits, accompanying quotes, and biographies afford multiple opportunities to engage students in critical thinking, discussion, research, writing, and creative expression. Here are some ways to use these biographies:
* Using the biographies by theme
* "Living" Timelines
* Role-playing and Dramatization of Truth Tellers
* Citizenship Projects
* Sketchbook Journals
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POSTERS, INTERACTIVE PAGES, DISCUSSION GUIDES

How to Go Carbon Free in 10 Years

Ask your students to evaluate the efforts of this imaginary family to become carbon free in 10 years—then have them come up with their own plan.
Interactive graphic. Available as a downloadable pdf poster

The Local Multiplier Effect

Once your students have thought about reducing their consumption, help them think about the value of buying locally. A little goes a long way, as buying local products at local businesses creates a ripple effect…
Available as a downloadable pdf poster.

Protecting Our Commons

Ask your students to consider what it is that we all want to value and protect. This interactive graphic will get them thinking about the commons, and their role in protecting it.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

This graphic poster that offers the YES! take on how the U.S. measures up to the UDHR. This is an engaging tool to get your students reflecting on and talking about human rights in the U.S.

What's Happening in Latin America

This teaching tool shows democracy in action: let your students see how people can effect positive social change. Use as an interactive online map or downloadable pdf poster. Also available in Spanish.

Discussion Guides

YES! provides discussion guides to get students talking & YES! Resource Guides for taking action!

The Page That Counts

Get your students thinking and talking about the effects of military and domestic spending on U.S. employment with these surprising statistics.

YES! video & books—bulk discounts for class uses, call 1-800/937-4451 to learn more!