Curriculum & Resources

Curricula and lesson plans on topics ranging from climate change to happiness.

Curriculum and Resources: Americans Who Tell the Truth

posted Dec 28, 2009

Robert Shetterly's remarkable collection of portraits reminds us of the dignity, courage and importance of America's truth tellers. Here we offer curriculum tools to support the series.

Curriculum and Resources: Climate Action

posted Dec 28, 2009

These curricula are bursting with impressive lessons, experiments, and visual tools to guide your students in their exploration of climate change and the influence of common plants on human kind.

2009 Brower Youth Awards

posted Dec 23, 2009

Earth Institute's Brower Awards annually recognize young people who create a project or campaign with positive environmental and social impact. Meet this year's outstanding recipients.

10 Little and Big Things You Can Do

by Annie Leonard

posted Dec 23, 2009

There is no one simple thing to do to change our consumption patterns, because the set of problems we’re addressing just isn’t simple. But everyone can make a difference, and the bigger your action the bigger the difference you’ll make.

Teaching With The Story of Stuff

by Annie Leonard

posted Dec 23, 2009

Watch The Story of Stuff, read our review of the film, and explore our selected YES! articles that address the complex issues that relate to our materials economy and how we can choose to live differently.

Curriculum and Resources: Service-Learning and Life Philosophies

posted Oct 30, 2009

Here are two dynamic organizations that offer your students opportunities and engaging resources to express and act on what they believe. Encourage your students to take on a service-learning project or submit a personal essay to "This I Believe."

Visual Learning: Walking Slowly

posted Oct 30, 2009

Use this photo to ask your students what they notice and are wondering. Then share the facts behind the image to connect to greater understanding and discovery.

Curriculum and Resources: Facing the Future

posted Oct 30, 2009

Here is a range of lessons from Facing the Future for grades K-12, including some projects for university level students.

Nurturing Creative Thinkers

posted Oct 30, 2009

In this entertaining talk, Sir Ken Robinson asserts that to get the best out of people, schools need to nurture creative thinkers rather than good workers.

Bringing Power Home

posted Oct 30, 2009

Be inspired by Malawian teenager William Kamkwamba. After being forced to drop out of school, William teaches himself how to build a windmill to bring power to his village.

Visual Learning: Art Cars at Burning Man

posted Sep 22, 2009

Images, photos, and pictures stimulate the mind. For the viewer, they offer a chance to connect and question. They also offer potential for play and imagination, and pulling the observer into purposeful messages.

Rethinking Schools

posted Sep 22, 2009

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

Connect and Engage: Education for the Mind & Soul

posted Sep 22, 2009

Here's a resource to connect your students' learning with their local community, culture, and environment. Also learn how knowing yourself can translate to being an even better teacher.

Visual Learning: Salt Flats of Uyuni

posted Jul 07, 2009

Images, photos, and pictures stimulate the mind. For the viewer, they offer a chance to connect and question. They also offer potential for play and imagination, and pulling the observer into purposeful messages.

Connect and Engage :: Teaching about Today's Economy

posted Jul 07, 2009

Here are lessons plans and curriculum to help your students better understand the cause and effects of the current housing upheaval, the concepts of work (what kind of work is paid?) and workplace, and definitions of wealth.