Teaching Outside the Box

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

Curriculum & Resources: Jazz in America

posted Jan 28, 2014

In order to provide an ongoing education about jazz for our nation's students, the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz has developed Jazz in America, an Internet-based jazz curriculum for social studies, American history, and music classes in the United States.

Curriculum & Resources: How I Write

posted Oct 21, 2013

Interviews with authors, on The Daily Beast, about their daily writing routines.

Visual Learning: Message in a Bottle

posted Oct 21, 2013

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 organizing to support a peaceful protest.

Visual Learning: Out of Character

posted 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.

YES! Recommends: Biomimicry 3.8 Institute

posted Feb 01, 2013

The Biomimicry 3.8 Institute promotes biomimicry as a sustainability design tool. It shares an abundance of resources, seminars, and trainings with scientists, engineers, architects, business-people, and teachers who desire to use nature's models as inspiration for creating man-made products and sustainable technologies.

Curriculum & Resources: The Debate on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

posted Feb 01, 2013

What are genetically modified organisms (GMOs)? Why do we need them? Do your students think they're good or bad? Study these three infographics to get three different points of view on GMOs, and to boost your students' critical thinking.

Animal Odd Couples

posted Dec 21, 2012

Are animals capable of feeling emotions? PBS Nature shares evidence that humans are not the only ones on the planet who cares, loves, and empathizes. Meet five animal odd couples.

Curriculum & Resources: TED-Ed

posted Dec 19, 2012

TED-Ed matches talented teachers and amazing animators to produce an impressive film library and platform for turning any video into a customized lesson.

Visual Learning: Lost Your Marbles?

posted Oct 15, 2012

This Visual Learning lesson plan will get your students thinking about community, public art, and why they can or can't buy spray paint.

Curriculum & Resources: Independent Television Service (ITVS) Lesson Plans

posted Oct 15, 2012

ITVS's Community Classroom engages teachers and students through film. Their collections of lesson plans and documentaries will launch students into a deeper level of understanding about a range of global issues, particularly involving social justice.

Go Local! Learning In and Outside the Classroom

by Sarah Anderson

posted Sep 17, 2012

Sarah Anderson writes of her unexpected journey of becoming a teacher and how place-based education has helped her empower her students and strengthen democracy in her community.

Smart Like You

posted Mar 14, 2012

Comedian Dhaya Lakshminarayanan learns the value of a good education, the importance of Seinfeld, and most of all, how to be a good teacher.

Words That Inspire: 3/4-Baked

posted Jan 30, 2012

Jason McLennan suggests that we stop "chasing perfection."

Curriculum & Resources: Maps That Stretch the Mind

posted Dec 21, 2011

Like history, maps tell a story from the writer or creator's perspective. ODT Maps believes that there are many ways to see the world—including upside down. Explore the organization's many maps (with thoughtful explanations), videos, free downloads, quizzes, and more.

Curriculum & Resources: Journey Into Dyslexia

posted Nov 23, 2011

You’ve probably taught a student with dyslexia—and were perplexed on how to help. This film shows successful adults who see their dyslexia as a unique gift.