Dear Morningside Center friends,

It’s April, the last quarter of the school year, and we're thinking of you as you navigate all of the challenges before us. We invite you to join us to teach substantive and joyful material in accessible and inclusive ways:

Below you'll find new lessons on power―the limits of presidential power and an exploration of "power over" and "power with." You'll also find lesson collections to celebrate Poetry Month and Earth Month!

And conference season is coming—we also share information on a few upcoming conferences you might want to attend. 

New & Featured on TeachableMoment

What Are the Limits of Presidential Power?

This two-part lesson, intended for high school students, consists of two readings that will examine the limits on presidential power in the United States government and examine what authority the president legally holds through executive orders.

Exploring “Power Over” and “Power With”

This activity explores the ideas of “power over” and “power with” using a brainstorm, journaling, and a classroom discussion on the use of power as a classroom and school community.

Poetry on Video: "Shoulders"

Morningside Center's Daniel Coles shares the poem "Shoulders" by Naomi Shihab Nye, and suggests ways to use the poem in your classroom.

Looking for more resources for Poetry Month? Explore our collection.

Earth Month is here!

Looking for ways to engage your high school or middle school students in environmental issues and the climate crisis?

Here are our latest lessons and teaching ideas - good for Earth Day, Earth Week, or any week.

What We're Reading

A Black Studies Curriculum Is (Defiantly) Rolling Out in New York City

"Educators are embracing rather than restricting discussions of race in schools. Leaders have said they’ll do so whether the Trump administration approves or not." By Bernard Mokam at the New York Times

Special education and Trump: What parents and schools need to know

"The nation’s teachers unions, along with the NAACP, two Massachusetts public school districts and others have sued, challenging the many changes. They argue the diminished Education Department will no longer be able to fulfill its duties, which, by law, include ensuring that the 7.5 million students with disabilities receive the services that the law says they should receive." By Meredith Kolodner and Marina Villenueve at The Hechinger Report

Trump administration can’t ban DEI in schools, NY attorney general affirms in new guidance

"New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 14 other attorneys general issued new guidance to K-12 schools and higher education institutions Wednesday in a bid to counter efforts by the federal government to eliminate education policies promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion."

By Julian Shen-Berro at Chalkbeat

Upcoming Conferences

In Defense of Childhood: Keeping Active Inquiry-based Learning Alive

May 10th, The City College of New York

"You are invited to attend a gathering that focuses on how to

support and defend educators and schools in nurturing

learners’ thinking, creativity, and access to information amid

these challenging times." More information & registration.

The National Council for the Social Studies invites educators to attend the third annual Virtual Summer Conference

June 25-26, Virtual

"This year's theme, 'The Power of Civil Discourse: Fostering Empathy and Understanding in the Classroom,' highlights the vital role that respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and diverse perspectives play in shaping informed, compassionate, and engaged citizens." Registration

“Now the crucial paradox which confronts us here is that the whole process of education occurs within a social framework and is designed to perpetuate the aims of society. The paradox of education is precisely this - that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which he is being educated.”

― James Baldwin