Curriculum & Resources — YES! Magazine

In each of the following categories, you'll find a variety of teaching tools for immediate use in the classroom or for building your own curriculum. These resources include: lessons, curriculum, poetry, videos, projects, stories, and essays.

Photo by nezumichuu

:: Teaching Happiness

Discover the good life through resilience, creativity, and community.

:: Teaching Outside the Box

Meaningful learning pushes boundaries with action, inquiry, and innovation.

:: Teaching Peace & Justice

Paths to peace, inclusion, equality, and compassion for all.

:: Teaching Sustainability

How to build a robust economy, healthy planet, and just world for all.

:: Visual Learning

Use the wonder of a photo to engage in deep discussions and understanding.

Infographic: Health Effects of Caffeine by Jing Fong Jan 28, 2014: Did you know that kids aged 12-17 are the fastest growing population of caffeine consumers? This infographic shows which countries consume the most caffeine and highlights some not-so-savory side effects of your morning coffee.
"Jazz in America" Curriculum by Jing Fong Jan 28, 2014: The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has developed "Jazz in America," an Internet-based jazz curriculum for social studies, American history, and music classes to help students "develop imaginative thinking, creativity, curiosity, a positive self image, and a respect for their own and others' cultural heritage."
Visual Learning: With These Hands by Natalie Lubsen Jan 28, 2014: This Visual Learning lesson will get your students thinking about poverty—here and in other countries—and will help them explore a creative approach to solve poverty.
The Story of Stuff Project Resources by Jing Fong Nov 18, 2013: The Story of Stuff Project is more than its signature short film. It's a movement to get us to throw away all the stuff in our lives and work together to build a healthy planet. Spot-on curriculum, short films, and more resources are generously offered.
No Impact Project Curriculum by Jing Fong Nov 18, 2013: Since 2006, No Impact Man, Colin Beavan, and his family have inspired a nation to swap their old consumer habits for new environmentally-friendly ones. The No Impact Curriculum explores the effects of your students’ everyday behavior on the environment, their health, and their well-being.
Visual Learning: Knock, Knock. Who's There? by Cynthia Daniel Nov 18, 2013: This Visual Learning lesson will get your students thinking about people experiencing homelessness and the importance of sleep.
20 Ways to Practice Gratitude by Jing Fong Nov 18, 2013: This mandala-esque poster is a happy self-care tool, and can also be adapted to classroom use.
"How I Write" Interviews by Jing Fong Oct 21, 2013: The Daily Beast interviews writers about their daily writing routines.
Institute for Humane Education Resources by Jing Fong Oct 21, 2013: The Institute for Humane Education (IHE) believes that in order to create a just, sustainable, and humane world, humane education needs to be at the core of everyone’s education. IHE curricula, lesson plans, online courses, graduate programs focus on human rights, animal protection, environmental stewardship, and cultural influences.
Interactive Garment Industry Map by Jing Fong Oct 21, 2013: An interactive map of garment industry factories, designed in response to the Bangladesh disasters. Also explore a New York Times' Learning Network lesson, "Corporate Irresponsibility? Fashion’s Hidden Cost in Bangladesh’s Garment Industry."
Visual Learning: Message in a Bottle by Jing Fong Oct 21, 2013: This Visual Learning lesson will get your students thinking about the risks and rewards of protests, and how to use social media to get people to support your cause.
"10 Reasons Why Co-ops Rock" Poster by Jing Fong Apr 15, 2013: Toolbox for Education and Social Change has a great classroom tool on cooperatives. You can buy its "10 Reasons Why Co-ops Rock" poster at pay-what-you-want prices. Available in Spanish, too.
Visual Learning: Out of Character by Jing Fong Apr 15, 2013: This Visual Learning activity will get your students thinking about the intersection of handwriting and digital typeface, and the fate of cursive writing around the world.
Resources from The Food Project by Jing Fong Apr 15, 2013: The Food Project, based in the Boston area, focuses on sustainable agriculture and youth leadership, and graciously shares many of its manuals, activities, and curricula for free.
Equal Exchange Fair Trade Learning Tools by Jing Fong Apr 15, 2013: Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative,has been at the forefront of fair trade, supporting small-scale farmers for over 25 years. Part of its mission is to educate and engage the public in the fair trade movement. Its curriculum, working papers, and infographics are terrific learning tools on fair trade, sustainable agriculture, and cooperatives.