Mini LPs

This kit for curriculum designers — from students to educators — urges viewers to reflect on their own curricula. It explores the work and research of Dr. Gholdy Muhammad in her book Cultivating Genius. Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad presents a four-layered equity framework--one that is grounded in history and restores excellence in literacy education. This framework, which she names, Historically Responsive Literacy, was derived from the study of literacy development within 19th-century Black literacy societies. The framework is essential and universal for all students, especially youth of color, who traditionally have been marginalized in learning standards, school policies, and classroom practices.

Shabbat, the day of rest, is an essential part of Judaism. This lesson explores the practice of and meaning behind Shabbat. Through text study, student explore the connection between rest and liberation, and reflect on how they can incorporate rest into their own lives.

Note: As Judaism forbids to proselytizing, this lesson does not seek to encourage non-Jewish students to observe Shabbat. Instead, its goal is for students to learn about and discuss different cultural ideas of rest and learn about a day that that bears cultural and religious significance for Jewish people.

Sensationalism has existed for several years and with it has come several impacts on society. This lesson plan will explore the idea of sensationalism in historical and modern settings. Through the making of their own sensationalized titles, students will understand how it works and a slide deck will help students understand the power media plays in painting narratives of minority groups for the public. By reading and discussing a text surrounding the topic of story telling, students will continue to do so.

As student mental health issues reach crisis proportions, educators end up navigating the frontlines. Building sustainable systems of support is necessary for fostering wellbeing. This lesson plan is designed to preventatively discuss components of mental health and brainstorm techniques for stress management. By introducing these concepts to students early, their impact is maximized, and students have heightened awareness and resiliency when faced with stress.

Educators, feasibly, cannot serve as a mental health professional for every single student in their classroom; being their teacher is already a big enough ask. Hopefully this lesson helps educators to bridge the gap, providing students with coping skills and knowledge of when to reach out for help.

The law is confusing, intimidating, and historically, has been used as a weapon of discrimination. This Mini Lesson Plan will introduce you to the basics of negligence so that you are better equipped to protect yourself and others. Use the slide deck to better understand legal jargon, and what negligent practices look like. The law doesn't have to be scary! And, it can be fun.

Follow along with the slide deck to learn, practice, and share all the fun knowledge you have. Show this presentation to your loved ones, students, and teachers. The law is for YOU.

Luis Alfaro is a renowned Chicano playwright, performer, activist and winner of the MacArthur Genius Fellowship. His Greek Trilogy of plays, "Electricidad," Oedipus El Rey," and "Mojada" are modern iterations of Greek tragedies through a Chicano lens. Alfaro writes about important aspects of and issues facing the Hispanic community, including poverty, immigration, recidivism, street gangs while celebrating Latino rituals, culture, art, and more.

In this lesson plan, students will explore Alfaro's plays and the ways in which contemporary Latino issues are brought to light through the often exclusionary classics.

Debuting in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s world-renowned play “A Raisin in the Sun” explores the struggles of a black family living in South Chicago who attempts to ascend the social ladder and find their identity in society. The namesake of this play comes from one of the greatest poems in American history, “Harlem” by poet and activist Langston Hughes.

In this lesson plan, students will learn about Langston Hughes and analyze his poem “Harlem”, as well as discuss the lessons learned from “A Raisin in the Sun”.