Happiness

What makes us happy?

Why Race Has Everything To Do With Who and How I Teach

by Walter Davis

posted Mar 26, 2010

At Rising S.T.A.R.S. Male Academy in urban Atlanta, Walter Davis uses "real talk" and literature to teach middle school boys of color how to be excellent students and emerge as successful young men.

Visual Learning: Are You Really What You Wear?

posted Mar 26, 2010

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 a different image of Iran.

YES! Recommends: No Impact Project

posted Jan 25, 2010

No Impact Man, Colin Beavan, and his family have inspired a nation to swap their old consumer habits for new environmentally-friendly ones. The recently launched No Impact Curriculum brings the lessons learned from this year-long journey to your classroom.

Christine Everson Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"

by Christine Everson

posted Jan 22, 2010

Christine Everson, a student at Western Washington University's Woodring School of Education, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Know Yourself, Change Your World" by Parker Palmer. Read Christine's essay on how she overcame fear and accepted her medical condition, with the help of a teacher she learned to trust.

Chris Claudillo Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"

by Chris Caudillo

posted Jan 22, 2010

Chris Caudillo, a student at Western Washington University's Woodring School of Education, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Know Yourself, Change Your World," by Parker Palmer. Read Chris' essay on how to ensure that teachers' voices speak louder than noise from Facebook, YouTube, and celebrities.

Exemplary Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Shawn Clark

posted Jan 22, 2010

Shawn Clark, a senior at Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Shawn's essay on how his gifts of poetry and playing guitar bring happiness to friends and others, but, in his opinion, aren't necessarily recognized by society as "smart."

Discovering the Beauty of Teenagers

by John Hasyn

posted Dec 23, 2009

We tend to be afraid of those who are different from us. For John Hasyn, it was teenagers. Despite his feelings of intimidation, the Canadian-based photographer chose to work full-on with Inuit youth in Nunavut. What he discovered changed his perspective forever.

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.

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.

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.

Starting with Place: Molokai Students Re-Define their Education

by Vicki Newberry

posted Sep 22, 2009

Head of School and teacher Vicki Newberry brought a place-based curriculum to her independent middle school in Molokai, Hawaii. Now Aka`ula School students thrive as they research and create positive solutions for environmental issues affecting their own community.

Anthropology 101: How to Change the World

by Tom Murphy

posted Jun 30, 2009

Professor Tom Murphy wanted his students to reconnect with nature. Now, they work beside farmers, fishermen, wastewater technicians, environmental groups, and Native American leaders through an award-winning service learning program.