Month: November 2022

There are times during every school year when both students and teachers are in need of a fresh start. What better way to boost morale than to take time to cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your classroom? 

Not only is gratitude a way to promote a positive classroom environment, but it can also improve students’ mental health. Given the increased focus on students’ social-emotional wellbeing, gratitude is a worthwhile practice to incorporate into your lessons.

From thought-provoking discussion questions to creative prompts that go beyond asking students to write something they are grateful for, these activities will engage your older students in a meaningful gratitude practice. 

Gratitude Activities for Middle and High School

If you’re looking for resources for teaching gratitude in your classroom, check out these gratitude lessons for middle school and high school.

How to Write a Thank You Note Gratitude Project by The Littlest Teacher

Dear WeAreTeachers,
A colleague told me that several of her 8th grade boys wouldn’t stop whispering and laughing. When she asked them what was up, they told her, “We found Ms. Wagner on Tinder during lunch.” I AM MS. WAGNER. One of them must have made an account using a fake birthday to appear in my age preferences. I know this is their mistake and not mine, but I’m so embarrassed and keep cringing thinking of them seeing me on a platform I never intended them to find me on. What should I do? Will telling an AP just bring more attention I don’t want? —Put “My Student Found My Tinder Profile” On My Tombstone

Dear P.M.S.F.M.T.P.O.M.T.,

On behalf of the entire teaching profession, this emoji: 😳  We cringe and mourn with you.

First, I want to reiterate that you’ve done nothing wrong. Despite a long history of people thinking

In fact, we can’t achieve the world’s climate goals without education, Aruch said:

“None of these implementations that are being discussed [at COP] are attainable without making investments in providing high-quality education opportunities for learning all throughout the life span.”

Furthermore, at COP 27, UNESCO, the U.N.’s educational, scientific and cultural arm, is unveiling something called the Greening Education Partnership. The organization is asking countries to set goals by 2030 and to monitor progress in four target areas:

• Making schools’ physical infrastructure more sustainable (Hello, New Jersey);
• Updating curricula;
• Building capacity by getting teachers and school leaders up to speed;
• Bringing climate education into the community, to ensure that working adult and lifelong learners also get the information they need to be resilient to climate effects and ready for emerging climate jobs.

(Disclosure: I’m an adviser to This Is Planet Ed, an initiative of the Aspen Institute that promotes

Throughout history and today, Indigenous peoples have left and continue to leave their mark across every aspect of society, from climate justice to the arts. While it is important to discuss Indigenous history and identity throughout the school year, there is a timely opportunity to recognize Indigenous peoples and their contributions during Indigenous Peoples’ Month in November. While this list is not comprehensive, here are 15 important Indigenous figures from past and present who you can teach about in your classes.

7 Historical Indigenous Figures and Their Impact

Crazy Horse (c. 1840-1877)

Oglala band of the Lakota division of the Sioux

Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Tasunke Witco, or Crazy Horse, was an Oglala Lakota warrior. He fought against encroachment by White American settlers on Indigenous territory and played a pivotal role in the Black Hills War, particularly in the Fetterman Fight and the Battle of the