Dear Morningside Center friends,

It's April, and that means it's both Earth Month and standardized test time for many students. Below, we offer activities and ideas to honor the month - and handle the stress of testing.

And if you'd like to find out what else we've been up to, see our latest Annual Report!

Educators' Climate Fiction Guide

Our just-expanded and revised guide (with pdf) includes climate-related short stories, novels, and films to immerse students in thoughtful explorations.

Earth Day 2023 Lesson Collection. Activities to engage your students in environmental issues and the climate crisis during Earth Month - or any time.

New Lesson:

The Biggest U.S. Climate Law of All Time

Students explore how massive new climate legislation might affect their lives and discuss how youth-led climate movements are using it to propel greater change.

Two Activities on Testing & Stress

Students reflect on their feelings about standardized tests - and consider ways they can handle stress.

SEL Tip: Reducing Stress at Testing Time

A collection of strategies, from bringing plants into the classroom to mindful breathing, to help us cope with the pressures of testing season.  

Nashville student activists not willing to wait a generation for gun control

"Weary and worn out, they plan to keep fighting to end shootings, promote democracy, and secure a better future for Tennessee." By Liz Willen at Hechinger Report

Schools could limit transgender students’ sports participation under Biden admin proposal

"The proposed rule would codify the administration’s position that transgender students are protected by federal anti-discrimination laws. Still, the proposal is likely to face criticism that it still allows schools to exclude trans athletes, and is sure to be challenged in court." By Kalyn Belsha and Patrick Wall at Chalkbeat

“If you don't trust us with books, how can you trust us with guns?” - Sign held by student protester in Nashville