Curriculum & Resources

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

Visual Learning: Boom!

posted Oct 25, 2011

With this YES! lesson plan, try to truly understand an image, its message, and why it's interesting (or not). In this case, it's all about oil spill cleanup.

Curriculum & Resources: The Innocence Project and Prison Food

posted Sep 22, 2011

Use the Innocence Project’s interactive resources to understand the causes of wrongful convictions and exonerations, and see how your school's cafeteria food measures up to prison food with this tell-it-like-it is infographic.

Words That Inspire: Martin Luther King, Jr.

posted Sep 22, 2011

What is fair to one person may not be fair to another. How can students become aware of injustice—at school, in your community, and in this world— and dig deeper to discover how they can transform injustice to justice?

Visual Learning: "Out of many, one"

posted Sep 22, 2011

With this YES! lesson plan, try to truly understand an image, its message, and why it’s interesting (or not).

Visual Learning: “Who’s that swimming in my pool?”

posted Jun 01, 2011

With this YES! lesson plan, try to truly understand an image, its message, and why it’s interesting (or not). In this case it's all about our relationship with the natural world.

Curriculum & Resources: Sleep Lessons and Bees

posted Jun 01, 2011

With final exams under way, many students and teachers are undoubtedly getting little sleep. And, what’s the buzz about bees? The following teaching resources dive into the science and psychology of the importance of sleep, and why bees are critical to our food supply.

YES! Recommends: Heifer International

posted Jun 01, 2011

Heifer International is renowned for giving animals as a sustainable source of food and income to those in need—changing lives forever. Its resources educate and energize people of all ages, empowering them to help others and build a better world.

Words That Inspire: Life After Worry

by Akaya Winwood

posted Jun 01, 2011

The state of the world gives us plenty to worry about. What would happen if we made a decision to no longer worry? Read Akaya Windwood's wise commentary on replacing worry with trust, and check out the classroom activity, too.

You Can’t Ignore Me Any Longer

posted Apr 14, 2011

Street artist JR brings art to improbable places, creating projects that force us to really see each other.

YES! Recommends: Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots

posted Apr 01, 2011

Roots & Shoots animal community service-learning curriculum offers lessons plans, sample campaigns, and resources for K-12 teachers. Access free, downloadable classrooms tools including lessons on hope, endangered species, and multiple intelligences.

Visual Learning: Out of the Blue

posted Apr 01, 2011

With this YES! lesson plan, you and your students can luxuriate—and pause—to truly understand an image, its message, and why it’s interesting (or not).

Curriculum & Resources: Poetry and Humane Education

posted Apr 01, 2011

Poets.org has poems galore for the poetry lover and tips to coax the reluctant teen to try a poem or two. TeachKind's free resources teach students how to respect and co-exist with animals in their communities.

Words That Inspire: The Wild Geese

posted Apr 01, 2011

Wendell Berry's poem, "Wild Geese" paints a colorful image of Earth's bounty, inspiring the beloved poet and farmer to be thankful that all we need is around us. Do your students second that notion?

YES! Poster: Jane Goodall’s 10 Best Things We Can Do For Animals

by Jane Goodall

posted Mar 01, 2011

YES! asked Jane Goodall to tell us what we can do in our everyday lives to care for the animals we love.

Waiting (or Not) for Superman

posted Feb 09, 2011

The documentary “Waiting for Superman” has stirred up conversation and debate about one of our nation’s biggest concerns—the state of public education. A follow-up campaign is under way to fix education. NOT Waiting for Superman, initiated by Rethinking Schools, says the film got the message all wrong.