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April is Arab American Heritage Month. Explore these free preK-12 lessons, activities and resources on Share My Lesson.

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Resources from around the web for incorporating Earth Day into your class.

©Seiya Kawamoto/DigitalVision/Thinkstock

Earth Day is right around the corner. Many educators are preparing lessons that introduce environmental science concepts for students. Are you planning on incorporating Earth Day into your classroom?

The annual event-which started in 1970-provides students with an opportunity to explore a range of subjects, whether science-based investigations, thematic reading, or creative arts projects. To help teachers brainstorm some ways to incorporate Earth Day into the curriculum, we've compiled a list of resources that offer lessons, ideas, tips, and activities that are perfect for Earth Day. There's a bit of everything, including lesson plans, tools, resources, and student reading lists.

American Museum of Natural History Curriculum: The AMNH Curriculum Collections section provides a great starting point for exploring many different natural science subjects. From Antarctica to river ecology, there's a collection that can be used in almost any classroom. Ecology Disrupted, a high school learning module, works great with this year's theme: Environmental and Climate Literacy.

History and Earth Day Learning: TeachingHistory.org produced a rich collection of lessons, activities, and quizzes for examining the history of Earth Day and conservation. Students can examine primary sources related to the environment-like historical topographical maps-and the conservation movement.

iPad Earth Day Lesson Plans: Apple and the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation produced these multimedia-rich lessons designed for the iPad. A range of subjects are covered: From water monitoring to ecology and climate change. Each lesson features free downloadable iBooks, images, and interactives.

Nature Works Everywhere: This rich collection of video lesson plans, created by the Nature Conservancy, serves as a great starting point for in-class examinations of ecology. There are science-based lessons with accompanying videos, virtual field trip videos, and Meet the Scientist videos. Plus, with spring nearly here, the site also features some wonderful gardening activities for students of all ages.

Earth Day Network's Environmental Curriculum: This EDN-produced environmental education program features interdisciplinary lessons, classroom activities, and tools that will help you and your students explore environmental issues during class. Be sure to check out the Climate Education Week toolbox, which features lesson plans for elementary school, middle school, and high school students.

The EPA's Lesson Plans and Teacher Resources: The Environmental Protection Agency's Earth Day website provides great ideas, lesson plans, and tips for Earth Day learning. Check out the lessons, which cover a range of earth sciences topics, including air, ecosystems, climate change, water, and more. All the featured lessons are available for download, and there are resources for every grade.

Science NetLinks: Earth Day Lesson Collection: This collection was produced for last year's Earth Day, but is still relevant this year. Science NetLinks produced a big list of lessons and learning tools on a variety of earth science subjects, and they're all easy to browse by grade level, subject, and type of project.

Earth Day Lesson Plans

Introduction to Earth Day Activity: Want to help students learn the history of Earth Day? Start here. This activity from the National Geographic Society offers students in grades 3-11 an opportunity to read and discuss Earth Day in the classroom. The organization's lessons and activities also offer some great ideas for incorporating Earth Day into lessons.

Learn About Soil Science on Earth Day: The website From the Ground Up, produced by Discovery Education and the Nutrients for Life Foundation, offers a variety of lessons, videos, and tools for helping kids dig into soil science learning.

22 Interactive Lessons to Bring Earth Day to Life: This roundup of PBS LearningMedia resources is extremely useful for teachers. You'll also want to check out PBS LearningMedia's NOVA Earth System Science lesson plans, which are standards-based resources that examine earth sciences. The PBS series Nature is another great teaching tool.

Resources to Learn About Recycling: The website I Want to Be Recycled is a one-stop shop for students interested in the science of recycling. Produced by nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, the resource features accessible information about recyclable materials, a Recycling 101 course, and information students can use to get involved. A fun place to start: the web-based game Super Sorter.

Earth Day Activities

Suggest Reading From Project Learning Tree: Looking for a good book to learn about the environment? You'll find plenty to choose from in this list from Project Learning Tree. Although it was produced in 2014, the books are timeless and informative, and they're grouped by grade level.

Earth Day Reading List: Book Culture's list features great titles for students in grades K-8.

8 Books for Earth Day and Beyond: Writer Alycia Zimmerman provides eight books that are great for K-8.

Earth Day Reading For Students

More From Edutopia

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Earth Day: Lesson Plans, Reading Lists, and Classroom Ideas

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Resources from around the web for incorporating Earth Day into your class. ©Seiya Kawamoto/DigitalVision/Thinkstock Earth Day is right around the corner. Many educators are preparing lessons that introduce environmental science concepts for students. Are you planning on incorporating Earth Day into your classroom?

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In 1962, Dr. Alixa Naff set out to tell the story of Arab immigrants from Syria and Lebanon. In addition to investigating an area that had received little scholarly attention, her use of oral history as the basis of the research was innovative. In 1984, Naff donated her collection including the oral histories, archival materials, and artifacts to the National Museum of American History. You can read about her in " Voices from the past: Arab American Oral Histories" and explore items from her collection and others related to Arab American history and culture from across the Smithsonian.

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In 1962, Dr. Alixa Naff set out to tell the story of Arab immigrants from Syria and Lebanon. In addition to investigating an area that had received little scholarly attention, her use of oral history as the basis of the research was innovative.

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Bring environmental justice and awareness into your classroom this Earth Day with these videos, articles, and lesson plans. Explore the history of the environmental justice movement, the racial implications of pollution and waste disposal, and the role of new technologies in conservation efforts.

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This program examines the ways in which Scottish descendants keep their heritage alive.

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4 Creative Ways for Students to Celebrate World Health Day — Positive Adventures

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4 Creative Ways for Students to Celebrate World Health Day This year, more than ever, we encourage you to celebrate World Health Day!

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We all know it's important to get involved with our communities, and especially to teach children the value of volunteering at a young age. Introduce the concept of giving back to your little ones with one or more of these 50 kid friendly volunteering ideas!

You don't have to go far to find opportunities to help others.

1. Walk around the neighborhood with a garbage bag and pick up trash on the side of the road.
2. Offer to rake leaves, pick up sticks, or mow the lawn of a neighbor.
3. Plant flowers for a neighbor or in a communal neighborhood area.
4. Start a community garden.
5. Collect and deliver supplies to neighbors who have just had a baby, undergone surgery, or experienced a house fire.
6. Use SignUpGenius Payments to collect money for new playground equipment or another neighborhood need.
7. Volunteering can be as simple as making people smile. Have your child draw pictures or write notes to deliver to your neighbors.
8. Make it seasonal. In the fall, offer to rake leaves. In the winter, be available to help shovel snow.
9. Use SignUpGenius to coordinate a collection of used books in your neighborhood and donate them to your local school.
10. Coordinate a neighborhood garage sale and donate the proceeds to a local charity.

Homelessness is a difficult issue to explain to young children, but you can help them learn about helping others less fortunate than them and expose them to volunteer opportunities.

11. Bring your children with you to cook or serve meals at a homeless shelter.
12. Make care packages for the homeless. Include travel-sized toiletries, granola bars, and bottled water. Carry them with you in the car to hand out when you have the opportunity.
13. Donate books or art supplies to a homeless shelter for children.
14. Collect coats and give to a homeless shelter in winter.
15. Sponsor a child through Toys for Tots or the Angel Tree to make sure these children have magical holidays.
16. Check with your local soup kitchen to see if young children can assist with setting tables or handing out small fruits like apples and bananas.
17. Shop for a toy to give away, and then have your child give it to a child in need.
18. Gather canned foods to deposit at a local food bank.
19. Have your child sort through old toys they don't play with anymore and donate them to Goodwill or another local charity group.
20. Participate in local events, such as 5Ks, fun runs, or other events that donate proceeds to local charities helping those in need.
Coordinate a meal schedule for a family in need. SAMPLE
Children and animals are a great pairing. What better way to get your kids excited about volunteering than by helping animals?

21. Volunteer at a local animal shelter.
22. Gather information about volunteering at a local nature center, farm, or zoo.
23. Donate newspapers, dog beds, or other pet supplies to a local animal shelter.
24. Place bird feeders in the yard for local wild birds.
25. Offer to walk a neighbor's dog.
26. Pet sit for a neighbor when they go out of town.
27. Keep food or water out for stray animals and contact a local animal shelter to take them in.
28. Foster a pet in your home.
29. Help a local pet rescue group at an adoption event.
30. Adopt a pet!

People in the Community

It takes a lot of different people to make up a community, and you can help keep it thriving.

31. Use SignUpGenius to coordinate a canned food drive in your community.
32. Bring smiles to local Senior Citizens by visiting or volunteering at an assisted living or nursing home facility.
33. Bring easy to eat treats or hand-drawn cards to a nursing home or children's hospital.
34. Decorate a senior center for a holiday.
35. Volunteer to grade papers or pre-cut materials at a local elementary school.
36. Read stories to younger children at schools, libraries, daycares, or churches.
37. Volunteer to shelve books at a local library.
38. Plant flowers at a local elementary school or library.
39. Volunteer to work a booth at a local elementary school event. Even small children can help with ticket sales or simple tasks.
40. Complete a park clean up.
41. Offer to be a mother's helper to a new mom.
42. Hold a lemonade stand or bake sale and donate the profits to a local organization.
43. Look into the volunteer policies at local hospitals. There are usually wonderful ways for teenagers to get involved.
44. Bring meals to your local firehouse.
45. Contact a local firehouse and ask if you can help with cleaning and maintenance. Even young children can be great helpers with scrub brushes, and you may even get to wash the fire truck!
46. Write thank you cards to local police officers and deliver them to the station to thank them for protecting the community.
47. Volunteer at a Special Olympics event.
48. Coordinate a car wash with SignUpGenius. Kids of all ages will love this fun event, and make sure to donate all proceeds to a worthy community cause.
49. Make gifts for children in the hospital, or distribute Halloween candy, Valentines, or Christmas gifts.
50. Get your child involved with groups that offer built-in volunteer opportunities, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or 4-H.

Whether it's volunteering in your neighborhood, for the homeless and hungry, with animals, or in a city-wide effort, there are multiple ways to donate your time and talents to help others in your community.

Julia Hembree is a full time mom and part time freelance writer who thrives on chocolate, Starbucks, and toddler kisses.

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kid friendly volunteering animals homeless charity community work

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We all know it's important to get involved with our communities, and especially to teach children the value of volunteering at a young age. Introduce the concept of giving back to your little ones with one or more of these 50 kid friendly volunteering ideas!

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Instantly access Cesar Chavez plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.

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White House Proclamation Recognizing National Arab American Heritage Month--April 2024

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Today, the president of the United States issued a proclamation recognizing National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) for April 2024.

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NYC Dept. of Education Arab American Resources for Educators

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NYC Dept. of Education Arab American Resources for Educators

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Overview

April is Arab American Heritage Month! During this time, we celebrate Arab Americans throughout the past and present, and recognize their invaluable contributions to our country. It also serves as a time to combat Anti-Arab bigotry and to challenge stereotypes and prejudices.

Arab American Heritage Month began as a 2017 initiative that only involved a few states and cities, but recognition has been steadily spreading since then, and in April 2021, President Biden became the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation acknowledging Arab American Heritage Month.

While the celebration of Arab American Heritage Month is fairly new, the history which it commemorates dates back as far as 1527, when Estebanico Azemmouri, a native of present-day Morocco, and Antonio Bishallany, a native of present-day Lebanon, arrived to what would many years later become the United States, becoming the first members of the Arab American community that is estimated today to number approximately 3.7 million people.

Since those very early days, there have been several waves of Arab immigration into the United States. In the 1800s, the first group consisted mainly of Arab Christians fleeing religious persecution and economic insecurity in the Ottoman Empire, from the region that today makes up Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine. This period came to an end in the 1920s, largely due to immigration policies that placed strict quotas on the number of people who could come into the United States from many Asian and Arab countries located within a region called the "Asiatic Barred Zone." Later, as political instability in the region increased throughout the mid-20th century, another wave of immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa began arriving in search of both humanitarian protection, as well as economic and educational opportunities and family reunification. The third period began with new immigration laws that repealed the restrictive quotas in 1965 and allowed hundreds of thousands of new immigrants to come into the United States. A fourth wave that began in the 1990s continues today, even after the rise of Anti-Arab sentiment that occurred in the United States following the September 11 attacks in 2001, as well as immigration policy changes in 2017 that made it more challenging for Arab immigrants to enter the United States.

Today's Arab American community is made up of individuals with roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa: Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. In addition to the many nationalities represented, Arab Americans are also diverse in faith - despite a common misconception, not all Arabs are Muslim, nor are all Muslims from the Middle East and North Africa, and over half of Arab Americans are estimated to be Christian - as well as race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. Within their diverse community, Arab Americans are united by their primary language-Arabic-as well as by their shared history and culture.

New York City has a rich Arab American history in its own right: when the first major wave of Arab immigrants began fleeing the Ottoman Empire (what is now Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine) in the late 1800s, many of them arrived in New York. In fact, from the 1870s until the 1940s, the center of Arab life in the United States could be found in "Little Syria," a neighborhood in Lower Manhattan concentrated on Washington Street and Rector Street. By the year 1900, nearly 2,000 Syrians were living there, working in nearby textile factories and as merchants. It was also in Little Syria that some of the best-known Arab writers of the time, including Kahlil Gibran, formed the Pen Bond (also known as the Pen League) and sparked a literary movement in Arab literature. Unfortunately, the neighborhood of Little Syria had all but disappeared by the mid-20th century. Plans for construction of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel in the 1940s forced many residents to leave the area, often relocating to Brooklyn. Those that remained were not able to stay for long: the construction of the World Trade Center in the 1960s pushed the rest of the community out of their homes.

Even still, today, the New York City Metropolitan area has the second-highest population of Arab Americans in the United States. Statewide, the Arab population in New York is one of the fasting growing in the country, with the number of New Yorkers who claim Arab ancestry estimated to have more than doubled since the 1980 Census.

Throughout April, and all year long, we hope you will join us in appreciating the rich and diverse history of this large and growing community. This month is an excellent time to learn and teach more about Arab American history, and we encourage you to do so by checking out the resources below, which include exhibitions, lesson plans, recommended reading, and more, for use both in and out of the classroom.

Events and Exhibitions

The Arab American National Museum is located in Dearborn, Michigan, but you can access their virtual tours from home! There are resources related to their core galleries along with supplemental materials for educators. Galleries include Contributions from the Arab World, Coming to America, Living in America, and Making an Impact.

1001 Inventions partnered with Google Classroom to provide digital access to interactive stories about lesser-known pioneer men and women, primarily from the Arab world, to help spark young people's interest in science while promoting diversity and inclusion in their online exhibitions.

Visit St. George's Syrian Catholic Church, one of the few remaining buildings that made up "Little Syria." It was originally built in 1812, and by 1850 was used as a boarding house for Syrian immigrants arriving in New York City at the time. For more about what remains of Little Syria, check out "What's Left of New York's Little Syria: A Short but Rich Tour."

For more, Arab America shares upcoming events throughout the year that are happening near you.

Reading List

Throughout the month, and all year long, we encourage families, educators, and students to dive into a book about the history, culture, and experiences of the Arab diaspora. The suggestions below are just a few of our favorite titles, with works of fiction and non-fiction for every grade level that feature characters and perspectives that are often not reflected in other popular works. We hope you will enjoy reading and learning from these outstanding stories.

Early Readers (Grades 3K-2)

Elementary (Grades 3-5)

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Upper Grades (Grades 9-12)

Many of these books are readily available through the citywide Digital Library on Sora, which provides free access to hundreds of digital e-books and audiobooks for our students. For even more recommendations, check out the "Cultural Connections" collection on Sora, which features many Arab stories, and will introduce students to titles with diverse characters and world religions set in the Transcontinental Region, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Video and Audio Resources

Resources for Educators

Check out the National Arab American Heritage Month Educators Guide from Arab America, which provides additional helpful context and resources for teachers.

The Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan has a wide range of educator resources, including a collection of lesson plans for all grade levels, and access to their digital collections.
The museum has also put together a helpful resource about the history of the Arab American community, including information about immigration, culture, and more.

To learn more about Arab scientists, inventors, and innovators throughout history, check out the 1001 Inventions Education Pack.

The Teach Mideast Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide has materials that teach students about the past and present of the Arab American community, including sections on early immigration, music, culture, literature, and media, present-day advocacy, and more. For even more, check out the "Resources Guides" section of their website.

The Hidden Voices initiative, which began as a collaboration between the DOE and the Museum of the City of New York, helps NYC students learn about and honor the innumerable people, often "hidden" from the traditional historical record, who have shaped and continue to share our history and identity. The famous Arab American writer Kahlil Gibran is featured in Hidden Voices: Untold Stories of New York City History. Gibran lived in the Little Syria neighborhood of New York City while writing many of his most famous works.
For more information about Kahlil Gibran, The American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee has a lesson plan all about his life and work.

For teachers looking for more information about how to support their Arab students, particularly during the month of Ramadan, which often overlaps with Arab American Heritage Month, check out the NYC DOE's Instructional Guide about Eid al-Fitr, available to teachers on WeTeach NYC.
Additional resources that may be helpful include an interview with an Arab American educator on the subject, as well as another resource guide for teachers from PBS called "Promoting and Understanding Islam" that provides further information.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an educator guide to use in their gallery, the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia, in order to help students learn more about the history of Arab art and especially to dive deep on what is on display from their collections.

Check out the National Endowment for the Humanities Virtual Bookshelf for Arab American Heritage Month.

Learning for Justice has collected resources for Arab American Heritage Month which celebrate Arab identity, counter negative stereotypes, teach about Arab history and cultures, and ensure an inclusive environment that supports Arab American students this month and throughout the year.

The Anti-Defamation League has an Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide for educators, families, and caregivers with K-12 curricular resources to use in classrooms, schools, and communities

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April is Arab American Heritage Month! This month, celebrate the contributions and achievements of Arab Americans throughout the past and present.

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Arab American Heritage Month: Facts, Activities & Resources | PBS

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Documentaries and programs that celebrate the diversity and history of Arab American communities.

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Virtual Tour Package

The Virtual Tour Package is a full and immersive experience that brings a wholistic picture of AANM to your group. This option gives teachers a full virtual package in which groups will have access to a kit of materials-recorded virtual tour videos, lesson plans, a quiz, activities, resources and much more-to utilize as they see fit. This package has materials that focus on AANM's Core Galleries: Coming To America, Living In America and Making An Impact. With this package, educators/groups can utilize the materials at their leisure.

These interactive and educational digital resources give educators a first-class look into our exhibits and provide a wide range of tools for both the educator and their students, to bring a full, enriching experience to classrooms near and far.
Each virtual tour is a complete experience, including access to:

A guided tour of AANM's three Core Galleries

Pre-Teaching exercises

Interactive, educational and creative activities and lessons for students

Video, audio and literary resources for the classroom

Quiz template and answer key

AANM's digital objects and archive

AANM Lesson Plans, which follow the Michigan Department of Education's K-12 grade level content expectation standards in Social Studies, English & Language Arts and World Languages

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For Educators - Arab American National Museum

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Virtual Tour Package The Virtual Tour Package is a full and immersive experience that brings a wholistic picture of AANM to your group. This option gives teachers a full virtual package in which groups will have access to a kit of materials-recorded virtual tour videos, lesson plans, a quiz, activities, resources and much more-to utilize as they see fit.

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Arab American Heritage Month Resource List

This Arab American Heritage Month, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Arab Americans. We invite you to expand your knowledge and awareness of the experiences and histories of Arab Americans. From lesson plans to movie recommendations, our resource list can help get you started.

1. - Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes, by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini staff pick, Marianna Stepniak

2. , by Alan Gratz - staff pick, Jenny Portillo

1. Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide (TeachMideast)

2. (Arab American National Museum) - Arab American National Museum Lesson Plans note: lesson plans are in the drop-down menu on the right side of the page

3. Teaching Beyond September 11 th (University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education)

1. Afikra - @afikra_ (Instagram)

2. Arab American Institute - @AAIUSA (Twitter)

3. Arab American Museum - @arabamericanmusum (Instagram)

4. Laila Lalami - @LailaLalami (Twitter)

5. Mona Hanna-Attisha @MonaHannaA (Twitter)

American pop cultures that is inclusive of Arab American communities

Movies and TV shows can provide a window into the lives and cultures of the characters depicted in ways that can both dismantle and reinforce cultural stereotypes. When consuming movies and TVs shows that depict characters and cultures different from your own, be careful not to allow the dramatization to nurture harmful stereotypes. No cultural dramatization can fully represent the spectrum of human qualities, characteristics and cultures of any particular group of people.

Movies & Documentaries

TV Shows

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Arab American Heritage Month Resource List - MAEC, Inc.

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This Arab American Heritage Month, we celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Arab Americans. We invite you to expand your knowledge and awareness of the experiences and histories of Arab Americans. From lesson plans to movie recommendations, our resource list can help get you started.

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Teaching for Change carefully selects the best multicultural and social justice books for children, young adults, and educators.

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Voices from the past: Arab American oral histories

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In 1962 Dr. Alixa Naff set out to tell the story of Arab immigrants from Syria and Lebanon. In addition to investigating an area that had received little scholarly attention, her use of oral history as the basis of the research was innovative. Oral history was a relatively new field in the early 1960s and, primarily, was used to document the life stories of famous people, predominantly men. Naff’s proposed study of the everyday men and women who left their homes and traveled to the United States to make new lives combined oral history practices with the techniques of folklore fieldwork. The resulting interviews recorded the experiences of the immigrant generation in their own words.

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TeachMideast - An Educational Initiative of the Middle East Policy Council

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October 5, 2023 / 12 minutes of reading

In 2017, Arab Americans began a national initiative to coordinate and advocate for an Arab American Heritage Month. Governmental agencies throughout the United States responded and several cities and states have issued proclamations in recognition of their Arab American communities. TeachMideast curated this collection of resources to introduce students and educators to the history, culture, and stories of Arab Americans from the late 19th century to the present. While recognizing that it is impossible to provide an exhaustive overview of the history, people, culture, contributions and experiences of such a diverse population, we nonetheless we offer this this resource guide as a starting point.

Arab American Origins

Arabs are ethnically, religiously and politically diverse but share a common linguistic and cultural heritage. The Arab world consists of 22 countries, but it has commonalities in religions and tradition with countless others as a result of trade, exploration, conquest and commercial links. As a result, Arab influence is vast and diffuse. Not all Arabs are Muslim and not all Muslims are Arab. Arab Americans began arriving in the United States during the late 19th century and early 20th century. Early migrants were predominantly from Christian communities in modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and Iraq.
Arab Americans Today
Today there are over 3.7 million Arab Americans in the U.S. About one of every three Arab Americans lives in one of the nation's six largest metropolitan areas, and about 90 percent live in urban areas. 66 percent of Arab Americans live in 10 states, but there are also significant communities in California, Michigan and New York/New Jersey. The cities with largest Arab American populations are Los Angeles, Detroit, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Migration policies, social attitudes and international conflict have influenced the subsequent flows of migrants from the Arab world. [ .]
Recommended Topics to Discuss

The history of Arabs in America

Notable Arab Americans

Prejudice against Arabs and Muslims following 9/11 and War on Terror

The ways in which Arab and Muslim Americans embody American values while maintaining their cultures

Arab American civic, political and cultural engagement

Background Information

Past: Early Immigration and Settlement

Arab American Stories: History

The First Wave: Mass Migration (1880-1924) | Reclaiming Identity: Dismantling Arab Stereotypes

A Short History - The Lebanese in Mississippi: An Oral History

Looking for Little Syria (New America, 2016) Between the 1880s and the 1940s, Lower Manhattan bustled with immigrants from Greater Syria, which accounts for present-day Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan. The neighborhood, which was centered around a strip of Arab restaurants, silk shops, and Turkish coffee houses on Washington Street, was a home away from home for immigrants seeking a better life in America. By the early 1900s, over half of all Syrians in America lived in New York, and the overwhelming majority of those lived in Little Syria.

Milwaukee's forgotten immigrants from 1890s built early Arabic-speaking community | Wisconsin Muslim Journal

The Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University is dedicated to research about Lebanese immigrants in the US and throughout the world, and to preserving and sharing that knowledge with the scholarly community and general public. The center has a website highlighting its research and projects, including:

Legacies of Labor: Lebanese Factory Workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts, 1890-1950

Mapping the Life, Work of Lebanese-American Business Owners is an interactive, multimedia overview of early immigrant businesses across the country with natal village, American location and business type listed, and highlights of several family business - like the Zambies, Nammours and Etochs in Helena, Montana - are included. Remarkably, although most sources and early 20th-century immigrants referred to themselves as "Syrian," the project uncovered that the vast majority came from modern-day Lebanon, as is evident by the listing of natal towns in businesses directories published at the time.

Middle East Policy Council Resources
Past: Places

Present: Race, Identity and Representation

Present: Arab American Civic Society and Advocacy Organizations

Present: Contemporary Communities

Arab American Expression: Arts, Music, Media, and Literature

Music

Culture

Mizna promotes contemporary expressions of Arab American culture. The non-profit organization publishes the literary journal Mizna: Prose, Poetry and Art Exploring Arab America , produces the Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, and supports a local, national, and international Arab American artists.

Turath, curated by the Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University, is a path-breaking virtual exhibit that maps the rich mosaic of early Arab American culture through music, literature, poetry, art, performance, and journalism.

Media

Arab America is dedicated to bring Arab World resources, news and events to Arab Americans and Arab Heritage and individuals interested in Arabic culture.

Arab Latin American Publications (in Spanish)

Diario Sirio Libanés This is a magazine of the Syrian-Lebanese community in Argentina. It includes resources related to this community, as well as events and news of interest from other parts of the world.

Revista Al Damir This magazine is a publication of the Palestinian community in Chile. Its name comes from the Arabic word for "awareness." It covers a variety of topics of interest to this community, such as interviews and regular columnists .

Literature: Non-Fiction Memoir

The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Sophia Al-Maria, 2012. With poignancy and humor, Al-Maria shares the struggles of being raised by an American mother and Bedouin father while shuttling between homes in the Pacific Northwest and the Middle East. Part family saga and part personal quest, The Girl Who Fell to Earth traces Al-Maria's journey to make a place for herself in two different worlds.

Looking for Palestine: Growing Up Confused in an Arab-American Family by Najla Said, 2014 The daughter of prominent Palestinian cultural critic and author, Edward Said, and a Lebanese mother, Najla Said grew up in New York City, conflicted about her cultural background and identity.

Television and Film

Amreeka (2009, United States)A Palestinian single mom moves to Illinois with her teenaged son just at the outbreak of the 2003 war in Iraq. They struggle against anti-Muslim feeling, high school bullies, and culture shock to make a new home for themselves here. The story is told with warmth and gentle humor. See the trailer here. DVD format, 97 minutes.

Arab American Stories is an Emmy Award-winning 13-part series presented by Detroit Public Television that explores the diversity of the Arab-American experience. Each half hour features three short, character-driven documentaries produced by a variety of independent filmmakers which profile Arab Americans making an impact in their community, their profession, their family or the world at large. Each story is juxtaposed around a particular theme, including: Unexpected Paths, Bridge Builders, Entrepreneurs, Art & Life, Innovators, Traditions, Creating a Community, Serving the Nation, Expressions, Civic Leaders, Artists, and Lasting Contributions.

In My Own Skin: The Complexity of Living as an Arab in America (2001) This short film sheds light on the complexities of the Arab American experience through candid interviews with five young Arab women living in New York in the months after September 11 th . DVD

Beyond the United States: The Arab Diaspora in Latin America
Latin America has the largest number of Arabs outside of the Middle East, with anywhere between 17 to 30 million people.
The Enduring Success of Latin American Politicians of Arab Origin The Untold Stories of Arabs in the Americas

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Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide - TeachMideast

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Arab American Heritage Month Resource Guide In 2017, Arab Americans began a national initiative to coordinate and advocate for an Arab American Heritage Month. Governmental agencies throughout the United States responded and several cities and states have issued proclamations in recognition of their Arab American communities.

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Though there are many Arab films about children and childhood, there are not a lot of Arab films that are actually for children. So we rounded up a few of our favorites and then reached out to our followers on social media to see what suggestions they had.

Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet by Roger Aller and Salma Hayek (US)

Based on the best-selling publication by Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gibran, this film interprets Gibran's words into a beautiful animated adventure about freedom and expression. The film was produced and spearheaded by Salma Hayek who spent four years working on the project. The film is directed by Roger Aller, a former Disney animator know is known for his work on Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. The two of them developed and wrote the story that frames Gibran's poems. The film follows the story of Mustafa (Liam Neeson), a recently freed political prisoner, Kamila (Salma Hayek) who takes care of his house, and her free-spirited daughter Almitra (Quvenzhane Wallis). The three of them go on a journey to get Mustafa home, all while evading the authorities who fear his words will incite rebellion. The film combines a number of different animation styles by different animators to give each poem it's own life. The Prophet premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014.

Giraffada tells the story of Yacine and his 10-year old son Ziad. Yacine is a veterinarian in the only remaining zoo in the Palestinian West Bank. Ziad has a special bond with the giraffes with the zoo and is even able to communicate with them. After the male giraffe dies in an air raid, his mate Rita stops eating and needs a new mate in order to stay alive. Yacine and Ziad must put themselves at risk to look for a solution. Giraffada was written by Xavier Nemo and directed by Rani Massalha. It won a Jury Prize at the Beirut International Film Festival in 2014. Giraffada also was part of the lineup at the 18th Annual Arab Film Festival in 2014.

The United is a film by Touchstone Pictures, which was conceived as Disney's first ever Arabic-language film. It was written by Nizar Wattad and directed by Amin Matalqa. The film tells the story of a legendary Egyptian soccer coach who's no longer in his prime but is brought out of retirement by one of his former star players and his daughter in order to train a team of misfits from across the Arab world. The team must unite to compete against France in order to secure funding for their soccer academy. The film also features a vocal collaboration between three of the best rappers in the Arab world: Omar Offendum, Deeb and Salah Edin.
Bilal: A New Breed of Hero by Ayman Jamal & Khurram H. Alavi (UAE)
Bilal is the story of a seven-year-old by by the same name. It takes place 1,400 years ago. In the story, Bilal and his sister Ghufaira find themselves taken away from their home and put under the tyranny of slavery in an unknown land. From the burdens he has known throughout his childhood, Bilal is able to discover an inner strength he didn't realize he had. He uses his strength and courage to speak up for himself, choose his own path and set himself free. This 3D computer-animated adventure was conceived by Ayman Jamal and written by Alex Kronemer, Michael Wolfe, Yassin Kamel and Khurram H. Alavi. The project took over 7 years to be created and finally premiered at the 12th Annual Dubai Film Festival in 2015. The film won "The Best Inspiring Movie" on Animation Day at the Cannes Film Festival and "Best Innovative Movie" at the BroadCast Pro Middle East Awards.

Emberatoriet meem (Empire M) by Hussein Kamal (Egypt)

Thanks to our Facebook fan who suggested this film which they remember from their own childhood. Emberatoriet meem - or Empire M in English - is a 1972 Egyptian drama. The film is about a well-off widow and working mother named Mona who is struggling to raise 6 kids whose ages range from elementary school to college.

What are your favorite Arab films for children? Let us know in the comments, we may add them to the list!

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A Selection of Arab Films for Children - Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI)

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Though there are many Arab films about children and childhood, there are not a lot of Arab films that are actually for children. So we rounded up a few of our favorites and then reached out to our followers on social media to see what suggestions they had.

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Books shelved as arab-american: The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum, The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story by Aya Khalil,…

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Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.

We know that there is not one autism but many subtypes, most influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Because autism is a spectrum disorder, each person with autism has a distinct set of strengths and challenges. The ways in which people with autism learn, think and problem-solve can range from highly skilled to severely challenged. Some people with ASD may require significant support in their daily lives, while others may need less support and, in some cases, live entirely independently.

Several factors may influence the development of autism, and it is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and medical issues such as gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, seizures or sleep disorders, as well as mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression and attention issues.

Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.

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What is autism spectrum disorder (asd)? Click here to read the definition, learn about different types of autism and how to help autistic kids.

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Julia is a bright and curious four-year-old girl who has autism.

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Editor's note: The author of this article is also the author of a resource listed below.
Autism Awareness Month is coming up in April, and many teachers and parents will be seeking out books to share with their little readers.

A quick Google search will undoubtedly bring up dozens of books centered around autism, but to find books with positive, accurate portrayals of what it means to be autistic is not as simple. However, it's critical if we want to create a more inclusive and autism-friendly world.

Brandy Haberer, an autistic advocate and co-teacher of a course called "Healthy Friendships and Intimate Relationships, available at Stanford University through The Asperger/Autism Network (AANE), said such portrayals in children's books matter.

" ... For many, this is the first time they're learning about autism," she said. "It's important because of the incorrect stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream media and the medical community. By accurately representing autism, we can challenge incorrect stereotypes and help the autistic community be more accepted.

"It's important because more people need to know that autism is not something to be cured but merely a different way of being. To be honest, accurate representation is not something that happens for us often. That needs to change."

Here are 10 children's books that can help both kids and grown-ups see the beauty of neurodiversity (differently-wired brains), start to make the societal shift from mere awareness of autism to complete acceptance and inclusion, and better understand and celebrate autistic peers, not only during Autism Awareness Month but year-round.

" My Brother Otto" (Ages 3-6)
Written by Meg Raby and illustrated by Elisa Pallmer

This is the story of two young crow siblings, Piper and Otto Crow, and their love for one another as they navigate daily life. Otto is non-speaking and uses a tablet to communicate. Young readers will also learn that when he spins a yellow pipe-cleaner, swings incredibly high without stopping and cuddles up next to his sister under a dozen stuffed animals at night, those are just other ways Otto communicates how he is feeling, as well as his likes and dislikes. Piper teaches readers that Otto needs to be Otto - he needs to be autistic - and though some things might seem different about him, he is a little crow who wants to be loved, have fun and feel safe, just like you and me.

" Nope. Never. Not For Me!" (Ages 3-6)
Written and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

Part of the picture book series entitled Little Senses, "Nope. Never. Not for Me!" cleverly addresses the genuine anxiety about trying new foods for those with sensory processing issues and those who are autistic. This picture book guides readers in a fun way on how to be patient and understanding if someone appears to be a picky eater while helping autistic kids with the process of trying new foods.

" This Beach Is Loud!" (Ages 3-6)
Written and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

Another picture book in the Little Senses series, "This Beach is Loud!" addresses sensory overload often found at beaches. To help readers understand what a day at the beach is like for someone who has a sensory processing disorder and/or is autistic, the author uses unique text placement, bold and descriptive single words and relatable illustrations. The Dad who accompanies his autistic son to the beach in this story displays respect and sensitive responses, making for excellent talking points between caregivers, teachers and children.

" A Friend for Henry" (Ages 4-8)
Written by Jenn Bailey and illustrated by Mika Song

Author and mother to an autistic son, the author honestly yet delicately addresses the desire Henry, an autistic boy "in classroom six, second left down the hall," has to have a friend he can relate with. Henry knows they can't be too loud like "a thunderstorm, booming and crashing" like his classmate named Samuel, and it can't be the class goldfish named Gilly "(because) she can't play on the swings."

" Lulu Is A Rhinoceros" (Ages 4-8)
Written by Jason and Allison Flom and illustrated by Sophie Corrigan

Lulu may look like an English bulldog on her exterior, but she wholeheartedly believes she is a rhinoceros and decides to let everyone know. Fellow animal peers laugh and tease Lulu because they don't accept what she believes herself to be. Self-confident and unapologetic, Lulu stays true to herself, showing readers not to judge someone by their exterior, that who we are inside is what truly matters and that differences should be accepted and embraced. Lulu may act differently, but she wants to be seen, have fun, belong and have friends. A sweet little bird named Flom Flom also shows the reader how to be inclusive and loving of Lulu in this endearing tale.

" The Girl Who Thought In Pictures" (Ages 4-8)
Written by Julia Finley Mosca and illustrated by Daniel Rieley

Based on the true story of Temple Grandin, this picture book introduces readers to the autistic mind and heart of one of the most well-known scientists of our time. The message that being different is something that should never be associated with shame is highlighted in this fascinating story about Grandin's unique mind and her ability to connect with and help animals.

" Too Sticky! Sensory Issues With Autism" (Ages 4-8)
Written by Jen Malia and illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

The author, an autistic associate professor of English at Norfolk State University, draws from her and her autistic daughter's experiences with sensory processing issues specific to stickiness. In the story, Holly feels anxious about an upcoming science lab where she will be making slime with her classmates. One of the ingredients to make slime is glue, and glue is sticky. Holly is honest about her anxiety about the upcoming lab and lets readers see what she sees and feels through descriptive text and brightly illustrated pictures. The book is an excellent glimpse into autism and sensory processing disorders (SPD) and highlights how we can be inclusive even while an autistic peer feels anxious.

" Trampoline Boy" (Ages 4-8)
Written by Nan Forler and illustrated by Marion Arbona

Every day, multiple times a day, a young, autistic boy jumps on his trampoline, ignoring the sneers of other children passing by. One day, Peaches, a curious and kind girl, asks to jump with the boy. She ends up soaring to new heights among the birds and planes and ultimately gains perspective and a new friend. The author shows the reader how to engage in an autistic peer's life by participating in their interests.

" The Categorical Universe Of Candice Phee" (Ages 8-12 and best read with a parent or teacher)
By Barry Jonsberg

A book full of humor, vulnerability and a captivating protagonist, "The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee" is powerful. The main character is autistic and shares her life story using the alphabet. 'A' is for the initial assignment she is given by her teacher to write this essay in the first place. 'B' is her birth story where she is quick to let the reader know "I am an unreliable witness because I can't remember a thing about it," and 'C' is for chaos in which the author informs the reader about her chaotic family dynamics and "the time Darren Mitford swallowed his pencil sharpener and nearly died." She is well aware that she is different from her peers and even her family members in how she experiences life and views certain events. Still, she is empathetic, determined and confident in who she is.

" The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism" (Ages 8-12 and best read with a parent or teacher)
Written by Naoki Higashida and translated by Ka Yoshida and David Mitchell

To understand a perspective of what it is like to be an autistic 13-year-old boy, the author invites readers into his brain in this exquisite and honest nonfiction book written in the form of questions and answers. Some examples of the questions asked include: "Why do you echo questions back at the asker?" "How are you writing these sentences?" and "What's the reason you jump?" The book sends a profound message and sense of urgency to be patient, to listen and watch, as well as to know that autistic individuals have feelings "pretty much the same as yours."

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From Awareness to Acceptance: 10 Children's Books that Accurately Portray What It Is to Be Autistic

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Here are 10 children's books that can help both kids and grown-ups see the beauty of neurodiversity, start to make the societal shift from mere awareness of autism to complete acceptance and inclusion, and better understand and celebrate autistic peers.

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When a teen on the autism spectrum decides to get a girlfriend, his bid for more independence puts his whole family on a path of self-discovery. Watch trailers & learn more.

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Filmmaker Scott Steindorff learns about Autism.

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15 Middle Grade and YA Books with Neurodivergent Characters - Bucks County Free Library

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Neurodivergent characters are important for tweens and teens. It’s important for young readers with autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia and ADHD to see themselves represented in literature. And it’s just as important for neurotypical friends and family to see the world from their perspective. These middle grade and young adult books feature neurodivergent characters. Some are […]

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Children's Book List: Learn About Autism | Autism Society

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The Autism Society's list of children's books includes stories with Autistic characters, picture books, stories written by Autistic authors, and eBooks that can be shared with children of varying education levels.

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Mothers who receive periodontal treatment during pregnancy may reduce the odds of their children developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD), according to a new study. Carl Bose and colleagues collected data on 306

Gender diversity is more common among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) than among their neurotypical peers, according to a new study. Previous research has shown that the rate of gender

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may reduce their odds of having another child with ASD if they time a second pregnancy to occur 2.5 to 3 years after

April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day 2021, and, after a challenging year, I'm issuing a call to action for establishing a standard of care for individuals with

The holidays may bring extra challenges for families this year - and particularly so for individuals on the autism spectrum. Learn tips for coping with the holiday season

If you find yourself shopping for a child with autism spectrum disorder, you might wonder about if there are certain toys and gifts are better than others. When choosing a gift for

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We've compiled a list of the top movies around the web featuring autism; ranging from child friendly to adult films. When possible, we've also included links to where you can watch them. Choose one of the options below to skip to

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Picture Books Featuring Characters with Autism or Asperger's

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Understanding autism can begin with stories about a child, sibling, friend, and classmate with autism or Asperger syndrome. This collection includes picture books for elementary age children and their families. For older kids (ages 9-12), browse this list: Middle Grade Books Featuring Neurodiverse Characters.

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Common Sense Media improves the lives of kids and families by providing independent reviews, age ratings, & other information about all types of media.

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The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF)

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Celebrate the Earth in April with environmental education activities and sustainability tips

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Earth Day is a time to celebrate and cherish our beautiful planet while taking action to protect it. This Earth Month Calendar contains a diverse range of engaging and educational activities for the month of April. Each day has a theme and highlights various resources and activities for different grade levels.

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Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants and Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. She lives in Syracuse, New York, where she is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology, and the founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.

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Robin Wall Kimmerer: Author, Speaker, Teacher

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Brady Baildon, Mark Baildon Social Education November/December 2024

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Celebrate Earth Month in the social studies classroom with these relevant and timely teaching resources from Social Education, Middle Level Learning, and Social Studies and the Young Learner.

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The First Earth Day | American Experience | PBS

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The first national observation of Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, when an estimated 20 million people across the country took to the streets in protest against environmental pollution.

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Earth Day: These Films Uplift Our World - sundance.org

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On Earth Day 2023, we could use a hefty dose of optimism.

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Pick your poison - animated features warning us to rethink, or documentaries that more harshly expose the realities of climate change

Netflix/Hulu/Universal

Earth Day shouldn't be the only day we think about preserving our planet, but it comes as a helpful reminder of how precious and finite our resources are. While it has already been seven years since the United Nations came together in Paris for the COP21 - the 21st Conference of the Parties to the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in which many countries forged, signed and ratified an agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions and hold global warming below 2 degrees Celsius total, many of the films released right before the onset of COVID or during the pandemic itself hint at the continued importance of maintaining a healthy environment, most suggesting that humanity hasn't made much progress since 2015.

Earth and nature mean many things to many people, whether it be a break from technology, a chance to practice spirituality or a mental health booster. Some people seek extreme encounters with nature, like Marc-André Leclerc in "The Aplinist" (2020), while others dive or dig deep into human practices that have put the planet in decline, like in Netflix's "Seaspiracy" (2021).

Regardless of the type of engagement with the environment, the future of healthy interaction with the Earth is, like Earth's resources, finite, if we continue to treat them the way that we do. Even one of the following films can enlighten the consequences of failing to take care of our planet.

So below, we've assembled a list of the best Earth Day movies to watch in 2022.

"Erin Brockovich" (2000)
We could do an entire list of movies that derive from the "lawyer stumbles upon ecological malfeasance" subgenre - we're talking "Dark Waters," "A Civil Action," and more. Most of those movies have a main character who is a morally compromised lawyer, who through discovering some grand environmental misdeed, redeems himself (however slightly). "Erin Brockovich" is unique in that the main character isn't a lawyer, but a down-on-her-luck single mom (Julia Roberts, who rightfully won the Oscar), working for a law firm to make ends meet. What makes the story even more incredible is that it's true! And shows that no matter who you are, you have the tools and the ability to uncover the gravest scenario - and to do something about it.

This film is available to watch via Spectrum and DirecTV and streaming on the Roku channel.

"Bee Movie" (2007)
While some might consider this a meme of a movie, it hints at the importance of conservation, even at the level of insects, because pollination is crucial to our planet's health. Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld), who has just graduated college, does not want to be stuck in the same routine working with honey for the rest of his life. So he ventures outside the hive and discovers just how small his community really is. When he gets stuck in a house, Vanessa Bloome (Renée Zellweger) saves his life instead of killing him like her boyfriend Ken (Patrick Warburton) says she should. A sort of romance blossoms between the New York florist and her bee friend, but once Barry realizes that humans eat honey and take it at will from hardworking hives like his, he decides to sue them, but the success of the suit in bees' favor soon shows the world what would happen without them pollinating. The voices of Oprah Winfrey, Ray Liotta, Sting, John Goodman, Chris Rock, Barry Levinson, Kathy Bates and Larry King also make this movie a joy to watch.

You can stream the "Bee Movie" on HBO Max.

"Wall-E" (2008)
In a post-apocalyptic future where humans have been forced to leave Earth by the overwhelming accumulation of waste across the planet's surface, one of the only trash-collecting robots still operating, Wall-E, continues to fulfill his duties by shaping garbage into cubes and piling them up into skyscraper-like structures in order to clear the ground. When Eve, a more modern and sleek robot arrives on Earth to search for signs of life, Wall-E falls head over heels in love with her, but when he shows her the sapling plant he found in a refrigerator, Eve immediately takes the plant, stores it in her central compartment and closes up like a clam. The rocket ship that first delivered Eve to earth returns to take her back to the ship that now houses all of humanity. The success of Eve's search means that Earth is still a viable place for the human race to live, but the ship's evil autopilot tries to stop the captain from returning home. It is up to Wall-E, Eve and their misfit robot friends to turn the ship around so that humans can attempt to reclaim their home on Earth.

You can watch "Wall-E" on Disney+.

"Avatar" (2009)
James Cameron's "Avatar" is largely remembered as the highest grossing movie of all time and a technological feat that finally brought the promise and potential of 3D to life. But "Avatar" is, by and large, a movie that stresses important ecological ideas, in the most gussied-up, kick-ass way possible. Everything from sustainability to the interconnectedness of man and nature is explored in "Avatar," alongside all of the aerial combat sequences and techno babble. (If you ride the Flight of Passage attraction at Walt Disney World, you'll also learn about keystone species and how every strata of creature is important.) If you haven't watched "Avatar" in a while, it's a perfect Earth Day experience, preaching conservationism and the importance of men in giant robot suits fighting dragons. You know, something for everybody.

"Avatar" is streaming on Disney+

"The Biggest Little Farm" (2019)
This documentary follows the birth and growth of Apricot Lane Farms, a plot of land purchased by John and Molly Chester to fulfill their dreams of creating a farm based on an unconventional method of diversity and interdependence. The Chesters first lived in a small apartment in Santa Monica, and when they received complaints - and eventually and eviction notice - about their rescue dog Todd, they had to find a new home. Enter Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, California, about an hour north of Los Angeles. With the help of gardening guru Alan, the Chesters abandon the typical separate and clinical methods of farming by separating the crops from the livestock, and set up their crops together with animals, so that the soil that feeds the crops can be healthier than most isolated soil plots used to grow only one type of produce. The transformation of the farm took place slowly but steadily, but not without major challenges that demand creative problem solving. Other hardships like Alan's unexpected death from an aggressive form of cancer, and all kinds of pests from coyotes to snails to birds to gophers, kept the Chesters on their toes. With illustrations and animation by Jason Carpenter, this film is a much watch for nature lovers and agriculture enthusiasts alike. A follow-up documentary sequel called "The Biggest Little Farm: The Return" is also available to stream on Disney+, with the original film available for rent via Applt TV+, Amazon and more.

"Dark Waters" (2019)

Similar to "Erin Brockovich," "Dark Waters" follows a corporate lawyer (Mark Ruffalo) who slowly unravels a corrupted chemical company that has played a large role in pollution and the decline of lifestyle of those that live near their treatment plants. Ruffalo plays Rob Bilott, who uncovered the connection between the DuPont chemical company and the alarming number of unexplained deaths in a rural West Virginia town, which DuPont knowingly poisioned with unregulated chemicals. The film also stars Anne Hathaway as Bolitt's wife, Harry Dietzler, Victor Garber and more.

You can rent "Dark Waters" from Apple, Amazon and other retailers for $3.99.

"I Am Greta" (2020)
Even before but especially after watching this documentary about the young climate activist, the word that comes to mind is "urgency." Following Greta Thunberg and the events that led up to her fame for protesting the lack of climate justice, this film captures her highs, lows and everything in between, starting from when she striked solo in front of Sweden's parliament, when she was supposed to be in school. From that moment on, Greta has gained momentum, and she has used that momentum to build upon all of the opportunities she has gotten to make public appearances and speeches. Greta's father Svante supports her when he can, driving her to conferences in his Tesla and helping her survive on a steady diet of beans and pasta. The impact of Greta's passion can be felt in the film, and especially in moments when she becomes emotional about the causes she is fighting for. She even says at the end of the film, that she doesn't see the world in black and white, just the climate crisis, and she wishes that more people did have Asperger's (selective mutism) like she does when it comes to climate. Hulu also has three episodes of "Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World," a docuseries following the young champion's journey more recently.

"David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet" (2020)
Champion of adventure and exploration David Attenborough narrates a tough film that details how exactly we got to the impending doom of climate change today. In between describing natural wonders of the world, Attenborough shares statistics like population growth, expansion of carbon in the atmosphere and loss of biodiversity to track the decline of our planet. He details larger catastrophic events, like the Chernobyl explosion in Ukraine back in 1986, the advent of global air and then space travel, and more while comparing them to the slow but steady deadly daily habits that technology advances allowed humans to develop and outpace our own methods of sustainability.

This film is available for streaming on Netflix.

"Kiss the Ground" (2020)
Narrated by Woody Harrelson, this 2020 documentary digs deep into the idea of soil security and safe carbon sequestration. The film follows Ray Archuleta, conservation agronomist who journeys across the United States to teach farmers better ways to care for their soil when transitioning it to grow different crops. Archuleta feels called to fix what he calls an education gap so that ecologically, we can scale solutions to global warming and save the planet. Other celebrity activists for the environment that join in the film include Ian Somerhalder, Giselle Bündchen and Tom Brady. Suggesting that we learn from France and the COP-21 agreement forged in Paris, the film points to a teamwork approach to saving the Earth. The ultimate emphasis of the documentary is pretty simple: soil and plants are our best bet as technological solutions to reverse climate change and global warming.

"Dessi has been with TheWrap for over a year, during which she has carved out the niche beat of book-to-screen adaptations and targeting helpful search articles. Whenever she can, she will write about Taylor Swift. Before joining TheWrap in 2021, Dessi interned for the Arts News Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She also completed...

Drew Taylor is a reporter at TheWrap. Before joining the organization in 2021, Drew was a freelance film journalist with a keen interest in animation and Disney history. Drew has been covering film, television and theme parks for 15 years. He has written for the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Time Out...

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15 Great Environmental Movies to Stream on Earth Day

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From "Bee Movie" to "Polar Bear," here are 15 films that highlight the importance of our planet, and not just on Earth Day.

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Access tools: #NMHM amplifies efforts to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations nationwide.

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Be the Source of Better Health: National Minority Health Month

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April is National Minority Health Month, a time to improve the health of communities.

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The Day of Silence is an important event for the members of the LGBTQ+ community. Learn all there is to know about the student-led event.

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National Minority Health Month: A Great Time to Catch Up on Care | Patient Care

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April is National Minority Health Month. Weill Cornell Medicine can help you catch up if you’re behind on needed health screenings.

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US Department of Health and Human Services

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National Minority Health Month 2024 Take Action

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National Minority Health Month 2024 What are Social Determinants of Health?

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The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, Inc.

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Home - The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, Inc.

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Welcome To The Scottish Tartans Museum & heritage center The Scottish Tartans Museum and Heritage Center, Inc. was established by the STS to be a center for reliable information on […]

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Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland...
Facts about Scotland

Official name: Scotland, Alba

Form of government: constitutional monarchy

Capital city: Edinburgh

Largest city: Glasgow

Population: around 5.2 million

Monetary unit: Pound sterling (GBP)

Official languages: English/Gaelic/Scots

Area: 78,772 km² (30,414 sq mi)

Major mountain ranges: Southern Uplands, Central Lowlands, Grampian Mountains, North West Highlands

Major rivers: River Tay, River Spey, River Dee, River Tweed, River Clyde

Scottish flag

Map of Scotland

Scotland's geography and landscape

Scotland is a country in Europe and is part of the island of Great Britain (Europe's largest island) alongside England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This lush beautiful country is bursting with green spaces, lush forests, towering mountains and vast lochs (the Scottish word for lakes!).

The country can be roughly divided into three areas - lowlands, Highlands and islands. The lowlandsare known for their fertile farmland and thick woodlands, the Highlands for their towering mountains, sweeping moorland and deep lochs, and the islands for their compact wild landscapes, beautiful beaches and far-reaching sea views.

Did you know?
Hundreds of millions of years ago Scotland's landmass was once completely separate from England and Wales - it was actually joined to America and Greenland!

Scottish wildlife and nature

With so many habitats, there's plenty of fascinating wildlife to see in Scotland. You'll find river dwellers such as otters, salmon and trout and red squirrels and birds, such as capercaillies, find refuge in the thick forests.

Out on the mountains and in the moorland you might spot majestic red deer or mountain hares while the islands are the perfect place to spot seals and seabirds, such as .

Many animal species are protected in Scotland and there are two National Parks - the Cairngorms National Park and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - as well as numerous beautiful nature reserves, that have been set up to protect the land and the wildlife that lives there.
Psst! Read VisitScotland's Scottish Wildlife Series to find out about six of the country's coolest animals!
Scottish history

Scotland has been populated for 12,000 years, and has a rich and complex history. In 43 AD the Romans successfully invaded Britain and fought frequently with the native Scots, called the Caledonians.

From the 1200s to the 1300s the Scottish clan system became firmly established in the Highlands. Ruled over by a clan chief, these clans were like tribes and were made up of family members and people who had a loyalty to the chief. Each clan held a particular territory and clan members could be distinguished by the clothes they wore - the origins of what we now know as Scottish clan tartan!

In 1707 the Act of Union was signed, meaning Scotland, England and Wales were now a single state with one monarch (known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain).

In 1745 Charles Edward Stuart, or 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' as he is often known, travelled to Scotland to reclaim the thrones that his grandfather, once king of England, Ireland and Scotland, had lost in 1668. He had support from lots of Scottish clans but despite their early victories, they were defeated at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Following the battle, the British government was determined to bring the Highlanders under their control and harsh laws were passed to eradicate all aspect of Highland culture, including the Gaeliclanguage and traditional clothing. This signalled the end of the Highland clan system.

Despite these uncertain times, the 1700s also saw the beginning of one of the greatest periods in Scotland's history - the Scottish Enlightenment. From the mid 1700s to the early 1800s educated Scottish people, such as professors, doctors and writers, began to question what was previously believed and instead formulate new theories and ideas. The discoveries and advances that were made during this time went on to shape the modern world as we know it.

Scottish people and culture

The Scots are a nation of innovators. Throughout the centuries Scottish people have brought us a huge range of new concepts, architectural techniques, scientific discoveries, inventions and more. Some of these wonderful things include the telephone, the television, tarmac, the steam engine, anaesthesia, penicillin, the pedal bicycle and the decimal point!

Many famed athletes and Olympic medal winners come from Scotland, including tennis player Andy Murray, rower Katherine Grainger and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy. Scotland also has a strong history for producing influential writers, including the poet Robert Burns (you can find out more about him in VisitScotland's Rabbie for Weans eBook), JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan and Sir Conan Doyle, author of the Sherlock Holmes novels.

Did you know?

In the Harry Potter series, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is thought to be located in the Highlands of Scotland.

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Fabulous facts about Scotland! | National Geographic Kids

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Green forests, towering mountains, vast lochs and a lively culture form this spectacular country! Join us on a bonnie adventure in our facts about Scotland

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Movies About Scotland: A List of Must-Watch Films Set in the Scottish Highlands and Beyond

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Scotland has a super fascinating history, breathtaking landscapes, and a totally one-of-a-kind culture. No wonder it’s been the backdrop for so many movies, from epic historical flicks to awesome animated adventures. If you’ve got Scotland on your mind, whether it’s for travel plans or simply

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The Tartan Song - The Cultural Classroom

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Scotland During the Chorus the students enjoy repeating the “hey” and “Ho” as chants “Then it’s hey for the tartan” – HEY “And ho for the tartan” – HO . LYRICS There are hundreds of tartans so lovely to seeAnd many a famous has graced the bare kneeAnd the sett that I wear is both […]

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Cesar Chavez Day is a U.S. federal commeorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. It is commemorated to promote service to the community in honor of Cesar Chavez's life and work. Americans are urged to "observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy."

Cesar Chavez (born March 31, 1927 - April 23, 1993) was an American farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist, who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers union, UFW).

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Cesar Chavez Day is a U.S. federal commeorative holiday, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. It is commemorated to promote service to the community in honor of Cesar Chavez's life and work. Americans are urged to "observe this day with appropriate service, community, and educational programs to honor Cesar Chavez's enduring legacy."

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Cesar Chavez Day Lessons – Cesar Chavez Foundation

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César Chávez Day

Model Curriculum And Resources for Teachers

Resources for the Public

Research Center

Resources for Teachers

César E. Chávez Biografía (En Español, 659 KB)

César E. Chávez Biography (English, 651 KB)

There is a biography written for each grade span. The biographies come in two versions: an html version which will load more quickly from the Internet to your computer, and a PDF version (See www.adobe.com for the free acrobat reader). The PDF version will print much better than the html version, however it may take a long time to download, depending on your connection to the Internet.
Kindergarten
Theme:Learning and Working Now and Long Ago
Kindergarten students studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez will learn that being a good citizen involves acting in certain ways, and that the personal qualities that Chávez possessed reflect good civic behavior.

Grade One
Theme:A Child's Place in Time and Space
Students studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez in grade one will learn how he worked to resolve problems peaceably.

Grade Two
Theme:People Who Make a Difference
Students studying César E. Chávez will learn about his role in improving the lives of farm workers.

Grade Three
Theme:Continuity and Change
Students in grade three studying César E. Chávez will learn about his relationship with immigrants.

Grade Four
Theme:California: A Changing State
Within this unit of study, special attention will be given to the role of labor in industry and agriculture, including how César E. Chávez, through nonviolent tactics, educated the general public about the working conditions in agriculture and led the movement to improve the lives of farm workers.

Grade Five
Theme:United States History and Geography: A New Nation
Students in this grade study the historical developments leading to the discovery and colonization of North America by European countries and the ensuing interactions between Native Americans, Europeans, and enslaved Africans.

Grade Six
Theme:World History and Geography: Ancient Civilization
Students studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez in grade six will learn that religious ideas have always inspired and influenced the lives and actions of men and women, as they did Chávez.

Grade Seven
Theme:World History and Geography: Medieval Society
Students studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez in grade seven will continue to learn about the ideas and philosophies that have withstood the test of time and emerged in the work and actions of Chávez.

Grade Eight
Theme:United States History and Geography: A More Perfect Union
Students studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez in grade eight will learn about the historical events and developments in the United States that Chávez would eventually encounter.

Grade Nine
This is an elective year in California.

Grade Ten
Theme:World History, Culture, and Geography: The Modern World
Students in grade ten studying the life, work, and philosophy of César E. Chávez will learn about the historical developments of many of the ideas and philosophy of Chávez, especially the evolution of democratic principles.

Grade Eleven
Theme:United States History and Geography
Students in grade eleven can use the life and work of César E. Chávez as a case study to trace the major historical events and eras of the twentieth century.

Grade Twelve
Theme:Principles of American Democracy
Students in grade twelve studying the life and work of César E. Chávez will see the direct relationship between his work and political philosophy and the political and legal system in the United States.

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César E. Chávez Day Model Curriculum For Teachers (CA Dept of Education)

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César Chávez Day Model Curriculum And Resources for Teachers Resources for the Public Research Center Resources for Teachers César E. Chávez Biografía (En Español, 659 KB) César E. Chávez Biography (English, 651 KB) There is a biography written for each grade span.

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Learning from César Chávez (U.S. National Park Service)

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From the depth of need and despair, people can work together, can organize themselves to solve their own problems and fill their own needs with dignity and strength.

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Sample Lessons for K-8 Curriculum – Cesar Chavez Foundation

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Cesar Chavez Summer Learning Program: Sample Lessons for K-8 Curriculum

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At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

outline a short biography of César Chávez through the use of a graphic organizer.

describe how Chávez worked with others to struggle for the common good.

identify problems and solutions in their own community and explore how it can be more powerful to speak out as a group when working to solve those problems.

How might working with a large group rather than as an individual help to change unfair practices?

Why might it be important for workers to be treated fairly, given a fair wage, and kept safe on the job?

Enduring Understandings:

Working against unfair treatment and rules with the support of a group can be more effective and produce better results than working as an individual.

When workers are treated unfairly, exposed to unsafe work environments and paid low wages, they may get injured, become sick, or in other ways become unable to do their jobs.

Vocabulary

environmentalist (en-vahy-ruh n-men-tl-ist (noun) someone who works to protect the air, water, animals, plants, and other natural resources from pollution

migrant farm workers (my-gruh nt) (noun) farm workers who move from place to place to get work, especially those who harvests crops seasonally

prejudice (prej-uh-dis) (noun) an unfavorable opinion about an ethnic, racial, or religious group formed without knowledge or reason

union (yoon-yuh n) (noun) a number of persons, states, etc., joined or associated together for some common purpose

United Farm Workers (noun) a group founded by César Chávez in 1962, organizing agricultural workers, many of whom were Mexican-Americans, also referred to as UFW, a labor union for farm workers in the United States

Suggested Procedure

1. Challenge students to think of a time when they encountered a problem or a challenge that they tried to solve. Ask: "Would it have been helpful if others (kids or adults) had shown their support to solve the problem?" Give students time to do a quick free-write about their experiences.

2. As a class or as homework, have students read this biographical sketch of César E. Chávez

3. Provide students with copies of a problem-solution graphic organizer to support reading comprehension. Ask: What were the problems Chávez was trying to solve? How did he and others try to address that problem? What were the solutions? How did things turn out?

4. Then discuss the following questions with students:

What is a farm worker? How would you describe the kind of work a farm worker does?

What unfair or unkind things were happening to the farm workers? Why were those things unfair or unkind?

What changes did César Chávez and the farm workers seek?

How did forming a union help the farm workers speak out?

What actions did Chávez and the farm workers take to help make change possible?

Who supported Chávez and the farm workers? Why was their support important?

Would Chávez have been successful without the farm workers' support?

Would he have been successful without other people's support? Why or why not?

What changes occurred as a result of the farm workers' collective efforts?

Common Core State Standards: ELA-Literacy. CCRA. R.1; R.2; R.3; R.4; W.1; W.2; W.3; W.4; Sl.1; SL.2; SL.4.

Ask students to review their free-writes from the beginning of the lesson. Ask for volunteers to share experiences that relate to issues or problems that happened at school. Create a class contract with students committing to work together as a group like the farm workers and their allies to make change happen in your school.

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In this lesson, students will read a short biography of César Chávez-one of our nation's greatest labor leaders. They will examine how much of the success attributed to Chávez was the result of the efforts of thousands of other people helping and supporting him.

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There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page .

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The farmworker's initiative improved lives in America's fields, and beyond

Smithsonian Magazine |

Five decades ago, a 35-year-old Mexican-American applied for unemployment in Bakersfield, California, and argued with the caseworker about how to characterize his previous job. He rejected each option: clerk, playground supervisor, intermediate social worker with a second language. None, he said, described what he did. Community organizer was not part of the American lexicon in April 1962. Neither was the name Cesar Chavez. Only seven years later, he would be on the cover of Time magazine.

Chavez's decision to walk away from a secure job as a community organizer was one of the many brave and fateful moves he made in his short life. But the most significant was his resolution to create what seemed almost impossible, a labor union for farmworkers.

Others had put farmworkers' plight into the public consciousness, notably John Steinbeck in The Grapes of Wrath in 1939 and Edward R. Murrow two decades later in "Harvest of Shame." Chavez went further. He harnessed public outrage to achieve unprecedented gains for farmworkers. At the height of his union's strength, more than 17 million Americans boycotted grapes to help California farmworkers win contracts.

Chavez drew on an anger that came from his childhood picking cotton and grapes, enduring poverty and prejudice. "There are vivid memories from my childhood-what we had to go through because of low wages and the conditions, basically because there was no union," he wrote in 1966. "I suppose if I wanted to be fair I could say that I'm trying to settle a personal score. I could dramatize it by saying that I want to bring social justice to farmworkers. But the truth is that I went through a lot of hell, and a lot of people did. If we can even the score a little for the workers then we are doing something."

The organization he founded in 1962 grew into the United Farm Workers union, negotiated hundreds of contracts and spearheaded a landmark law that made California farmworkers the only ones in the nation entitled to protected union activity. In his most enduring legacy, Chavez gave people a sense of their own power. Farmworkers discovered they could demand dignity and better wages. Volunteers learned tactics later put to use in other social movements. People who refused to buy grapes realized that even the smallest gesture could help force historic change.

The story of the black eagle, the movement's symbol, exemplifies Chavez's skill as a tactician. He researched emblems, including cigarette boxes and Nazi flags, and concluded that the most potent color combination was red, black and white. He picked the eagle and directed his brother to draw the bird so simply that anyone could easily replicate the symbol.

The UFW altered life in the fields of California, from banning the short-handled hoe to offering health care and pensions. The victories of the 1970s were in many ways short-lived. But Chavez's legacy resonates far from the fields, among generations barely born when he died in 1993. Chavez himself has become a symbol-for all those Davids who tackle Goliaths and embrace the slogan, sí se puede: Yes, it can be done.

Reporting on agriculture in California, Miriam Pawel became fascinated by the United Farm Workers, eventually writing The Union of Their Dreams.

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Smithsonian Magazine | Five decades ago, a 35-year-old Mexican-American applied for unemployment in Bakersfield, California, and argued with the caseworker about how to characterize his previous job. He rejected each option: clerk, playground supervisor, intermediate social worker with a second language. None, he said, described what he did.

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The Fight in the Fields: César Chávez and the Farmworkers' Struggle - Zinn Education Project

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Film. Ray Telles and Rick Tejada-Flores. 1997. 116 minutes. A documentary on the farmworker movement told by the organizers and farmworkers themselves.

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Plodding labor leader biopic shows protests, beatings.​ Read Common Sense Media’s Cesar Chavez review, age rating, and parents guide.

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7 April is World Health Day

It is celebrated annually and each year draws attention to a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

The date of 7 April marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO in 1948.

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World Health Days, 7 April, provide an opportunity to focus world attention on a health problem or issue that deserves special attention.

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WHO’s World Health Day 2020 stresses universal health coverage — especially for the millions around the world who still lack access to basic health care. Read on to learn more.

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PBS LEARNING MEDIA | Passover | PBS KIDS

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Easter is the holiest day of the year for Christians. It celebrates their belief in the resurrection, or the rising from the dead, of Jesus Christ. Jesus was the founder of…

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It’s Youth Homelessness Matters Day. Help raise awareness of youth homelessness so that there’ll be solutions for supporting them.

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This two-page profile provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Education's federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. Topics include: A Brief History of The McKinney-Vento Act; Rights of Eligible Children and Youth; Funding History; Funding for States and School Districts; Program Administrative Structure; Homeless Student Enrollment Data; National Homeless Student Academic Performance Data; Interagency Collaboration; and Program Contact Information.
Download the EHCY federal program profile.
The Most Frequently Asked Questions on the Education Rights of Children and Youth in Homeless Situations

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McKinney-Vento - National Center for Homeless Education

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This two-page profile provides an overview of the U.S. Department of Education's federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. Topics include: A Brief History of The McKinney-Vento Act; Rights of Eligible Children and Youth; Funding History; Funding for States and School Districts; Program Administrative Structure; Homeless Student Enrollment Data; National Homeless Student Academic Performance Data; Interagency Collaboration; and Program Contact Information.Download the EHCY federal program profile.

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New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) provides information, referrals, and trainings to schools, school districts, social service providers, parents, and others about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

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American Street Kid is an award winning feature documentary about America’s homeless youth.

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Homelessness is a complex issue that's impacting hundreds of people today in our local Ottawa County community. Nobody expects to become homeless, yet recent studies show that more than 60% of households live paycheck to paycheck -meaning just one emergency or surprise expense can set people down a pathway they never intended or thought possible.

While Good Samaritan continues its work to end homelessness in our community, it's also vital that each of us grow in our understanding of the complexities that lead to such a traumatic season. These 15 films are one way to help raise awareness about the issues people may face when experiencing homelessness or other housing crises.

1. Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith stars in this moving tale inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman struggling to build a future for himself and his 5-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith). When his girlfriend Linda (Thandie Newton) walks out, Chris raises Christopher (Jaden Smith) alone. Chris' determination finally pays off when he lands an unpaid internship in a brutally competitive stockbroker training program, where only one in twenty interns will make the cut. But without a salary, Chris and his son are evicted from their apartment and are forced to sleep on the streets, in homeless shelters, and even behind the locked doors of a metro station bathroom. With self-confidence and the love and trust of his son, Chris Gardner rises above his obstacles to become a Wall Street legend.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 117 mins. | Released: December 14, 2006
Directed by Gabriele Muccino | Starring Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith
Streaming now on Hulu
2. The Lady in the Van

This movie tells the true story of Alan Bennett's (Alex Jennings') strained friendship with Miss Mary Shepherd (Dame Maggie Smith), an eccentric homeless woman who Bennett befriended in the 1970s before allowing her temporarily to park her Bedford van in the driveway of his Camden house. She stayed there for fifteen years. As the story develops, Bennett learns that Miss Shepherd is really Margaret Fairchild (died 1989), a former gifted pupil of pianist Alfred Cortot. She had played Chopin in a promenade concert, tried to become a nun, was committed to an institution by her brother, escaped, had an accident when her van was hit by a motorcyclist for which she believed herself to blame, and thereafter lived in fear of arrest.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 104 mins. | Released: February 26, 2016
Directed by Nicholas Hytner | Starring Maggie Smith, Alex Jennings, Jim Broadbent

3. Time Out of Mind

Poignantly addressing heavy topics like homelessness and familial estrangement, the 2014 drama Time Out of Mind features Richard Gere as the hapless George, a man who must contend with being displaced in the streets of New York City, seeking shelter at the Bellevue Hospital, where he develops an unlikely friendship with a kind but unstable companion.

The gripping picture depicts George's struggles with acknowledging his homelessness and the hurdles he experiences while trying to apply for public benefits; George's driving force is the possibility that he can reconnect with his estranged daughter, Maggie, in hopes of finding forgiveness for his past misdeeds. Time Out of Mind was lauded by critics for its stirring performances and the insightful depiction of homelessness, with The Village Voice calling the drama "an experiment in empathy, an examination of bureaucracy and street life mundanity, and a movie that many will find a tough sit."

Rated Unrated | Runtime: 120 mins. | Released: September 18, 2015
Directed by Oren Moverman | Starring Richard Gere, Ben Vereen, Jena Malone
Streaming now on YouTube, Tubi
4. The Public
https://youtu.be/_7-0WcBTgl8?si=7CS60gC8PlA6ZIJ9
Touting an impressive ensemble cast led by Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, and Christian Slater, the 2018 drama The Public depicts the tension-filled standoff between Cincinnati police and a large group of homeless people who seek refuge in a downtime public library when a brutal cold front hits the city. What initially begins as a nonviolent act of civil disobedience swiftly escalates into a taut showdown between the authorities and the often marginalized homeless seeking shelter from the storm, attracting the attention of the media in the process. The Public offers an earnest look at some of the country's most difficult issues, tackling the subjects of mental health and homelessness while educating audiences on the topic of social disobedience.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 119 mins. | Released: November 15, 2018
Directed by Emilio Estevez | Starring Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Emilio Estevez

5. The Soloist

In 2005, the only thing hurting Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez more than his face from a recent bike accident was his pressing need for story ideas. That is when he discovers Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill, homeless street musician who possesses extraordinary talent, even through his half-broken instruments. Inspired by his story, Lopez writes an acclaimed series of articles about Ayers and attempts to do more to help both him and the rest of the underclass of LA have a better life. However, Lopez's good intentions run headlong in the hard realities of the strength of Ayers' personal demons and the larger social injustices facing the homeless. Regardless, Lopez and Ayers must find a way to conquer their deepest anxieties and frustrations to hope for a brighter future for both of them.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 117 mins. | Released: April 24, 2009
Directed by Joe Wright | Starring Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener
Streaming now on Max
6. The Fisher King
https://youtu.be/WnPHyf9KSJk?si=1ROab5XeL19n0dQg
The late and great Robin Williams stars alongside Jeff Bridges in the 1991 fantasy comedy-drama The Fisher King, which focuses on radio shock jock Jack Lucas (Bridges) as he attempts to find redemption for a tragic mistake he made on air, ultimately leading him to the delusional homeless man named Perry. Williams delivers a superb performance as the mentally unstable Perry, whose life was forever altered by Jack's deadly mistake; he spends his days searching for the Holy Grail, aided by Jack, in hopes of being a part of Perry's salvation and someday his own.

Rated R | Runtime: 137 mins. | Released: September 27, 1991
Directed by Terry Gilliam | Starring Jeff Bridges, Robin Williams, Adam Bryant

7. Same Kind of Different As Me

Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear) lost track of what matters most in life. It took an affair, a confession, a dream, and an unlikely friendship with a homeless man named Denver (Djimon Hounsou) to help him remember. From the outside, Ron Hall's seemingly charmed life looked pretty perfect: He had a flourishing art business, a beautiful wife, Debbie (Renée Zellweger), two fine teen children, and an amazing fifteen thousand square foot house in Fort Worth, Texas. But appearances can be deceptive.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 119 mins. | Released: October 20, 2017
Directed by Michael Carney | Starring Greg Kinnear, Renée Zellweger, Djimon Hounsou
Streaming now on Pluto TV
8. Dark Days

Near New York City's Penn Station, next to the Amtrak tracks, squatters have lived for years. Marc Singer goes underground to live with them and films this "family." A dozen or so men and one woman talk about their lives: horrors of childhood, jail time, losing children, being coke-heads. They scavenge; they've built themselves sturdy one-room shacks; they have pets, cook, chat, argue, and give each other haircuts. A bucket is their toilet. Leaky overhead pipes are a source of water for showers. They live in virtual darkness. During the filming, Amtrak gives a 30-day eviction notice.

Rated: Unrated | Runtime: 82 mins. | Released: March 9, 2001
Directed by Marc Singer | Starring Marc Singer

9. Shelter

Hannah and Tahir fall in love while homeless on the streets of New York. Shelter explores how they got there, and as we learn about their pasts, we realize they need each other to build a future.

Rated: TV-MA | Runtime: 105 mins. | Released: December 11, 2015
Directed by Paul Bettany | Starring Adolfo Mendez-Nouel, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Arnold Hoffman, Jennifer Connelly

10. A Street Cat Named Bob

The true feel-good story of how James Bowen, a busker and recovering drug addict, has his life transformed when he meets a stray ginger cat. Based on the international best-selling book.

Not Rated | Runtime: 103 mins. | Released: November 18, 2016
Directed by Roger Spottiswoode | Starring Luke Treadaway, Bob the Cat, Ruta Gedmintas

11. Maid

Single mother Alex turns to housecleaning to make ends meet as she escapes an abusive relationship and overcomes homelessness to create a better life for her daughter, Maddy.

Rated: TV-MA | Runtime: 10 episodes | Released: October 1, 2021
Directed by Molly Smith Metzler | Starring Margaret Qualley, Andie MacDowell, Nick Robinson
Streaming now on Netflix
12. The Cats of Mirikitani

Documentary about red-beret-ed Jimmy Mirikitani, a feisty painter working and living on the street near the World Trade Center when 9/11 devastates the neighborhood. A nearby film editor, Linda Hattendorf, persuades elderly Jimmy to move in with her while seeking a permanent home for him. The young woman delves into the California-born, Japan-raised artist's unique life, which develops his resilient personality and fuels his two main subjects: cats and internment camps. The editor films Jimmy's remarkable journey back into his incredible past.

Not Rated | Runtime: 74 mins. | Released: September 7, 2007
Directed by Linda Hattendorf | Starring Bob Bruck, Jess Espinosa, Linda Hattendorf

13. Rosie

The story of a mother trying to protect her family after their landlord sells their rented home and they become homeless.

Rated PG-13 | Runtime: 86 mins. |Released: July 19, 2019
Directed by Paddy Breathnach | Starring Sarah Greene, Molly McCann, Darragh Mckenzie

14. Lost Angels: Skid Row is My Home

Los Angeles' Skid Row is home to one of the largest homeless populations in the United States. And we found, inside that community, the remarkable and enormously moving stories of Olympic athletes, Harvard attorneys, accomplished musicians, and scholars. We found poverty, drugs, and mental illness, of course-but more importantly, we found life, hope, and incredibly powerful human journeys.

Not Rated | Runtime: 77 mins. | Released: June 2010
Directed by Thomas Napper | Starring Kevin Cohen, Manuel Compito, Danny Harris
Streaming now on Tubi
15. Finding Home: America's Housing Crisis in Kent County

Finding Home: America's Housing Crisis in Kent County is a documentary that follows the stories of three different families facing housing insecurity, as well as the three years of work to address the issue.

Not Rated: Runtime: 32 mins. | Release Date: March 2, 2023
Watch now on K-Connect.org

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Top 15 Movies to Watch to Shine a Light on Homelessness - Good Samaritan

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Homelessness is a complex issue that's impacting hundreds of people today in our local Ottawa County community. Nobody expects to become homeless, yet recent studies show that more than 60% of households live paycheck to paycheck-meaning just one emergency or surprise expense can set people down a pathway they never intended or thought possible.

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Reviewed by Keesha Ceran

Review Source: Teaching for Change
Book Author: Terence Lester, Zion Lester

Zion Learns to See is a new children's book by father-daughter duo, Terence and Zion Lester. The book follows Zion as she spends a day with her father, Terence, in the community work he is doing around houselessness and economic justice. Through the storytelling and imagery, you understand Zion's curiosity and emotions as she rides through the neighborhood with her father seeing the differences from her own lived experience.

The book doesn't shy away from noting causes of economic disparities. In one scene, Zion asks, "Daddy, why don't these people have homes?" Her father replies, "Well, there are different reasons for different people. Some folks lost their job, maybe because they were too sick to work. Whatever the reason, they don't have enough money to pay for a home." The relatability in this conversation between a child and an adult is impactful, especially as we witness the young person making links to the world she is witnessing.

We appreciate this book's exploration of a topic that is rare in children's books - naming economic disparities. The diversity of faces and ages in the illustrations are powerful and important. Yet, we recommend this book with a caveat. It is a great introduction to intergenerational and socioeconomic community engagement, and while we appreciate the book's positive depictions of charity work, we ask the reader and publishing community to consider expanding actions that can be taken by others beyond charity.

The picture book chooses to feature Zion and her school actively engaged in the "Let's Give Back" project, a worthwhile activity that many young people and families partake in - but it does not challenge the status quo. Young people have the capacity to understand that while band-aids are necessary, they do not address the source of the harm. They could be encouraged to question a society built on inequality and learn ways to advocate for social and economic justice for all. Could the young people in Zion's school not only deliver items to the community shelter, but also write letters to their local government to address fair housing?

In his Rethinking Schools' article, "Planting Seeds of Solidarity," Bob Peterson writes, "Using simple stories to raise profound questions is among the oldest and best of teaching techniques." Peterson's approach is to move students from empathy and caring to solidarity by encouraging his students to find commonalities with children here in the U.S. and all over the world - ALL kids want to play and ALL kids need to eat, his students discover. In these commonalities, the students don't see these other children as being inferior and are able to look for insights and answers to address core issues, at home and abroad. As Peterson's writes about his students, "They can begin to see that the problem is not so much a division of wealth and power between countries as it is a division of wealth and power between social classes."

We hope that this can be addressed in a subsequent printing of Zion Learns to See. The result would be young people learning lessons from Zion and her classmates that they can apply to their own activism about systemic poverty, economic fairness, and how to organize for justice.
Keesha Ceran is the deputy director at Teaching for Change.
Find recommended books about this topic on our Economic Class and Neighborhoods booklists.

Publisher's Synopsis:

Zion has no idea what she's getting into when she decides to join her dad at his work on Saturday. But she quickly discovers that a day at the community center brings new and wonderful people into her life. Join Zion as she learns about people experiencing homelessness, and see how she is moved to respond as she recognizes that all people matter to God.

Inspired by real-life events, this story written by Terence Lester and Zion Lester, and illustrated by Subi Bosa, will be enjoyed by children and the adults who read with them. Also included is a note from the author to encourage further conversation about the content.

Discover IVP Kids and share with children the things that matter to God!

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Zion Learns to See: Opening Our Eyes to Homelessness - Social Justice Books

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Reviewed by Keesha Ceran Review Source: Teaching for Change Book Author: Zion Learns to See is a new children's book by father-daughter duo, Terence and Zion Lester. The book follows Zion as she spends a day with her father, Terence, in the community work he is doing around houselessness and economic justice.

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Celebrate National Volunteer Month with Family | United Way NCA

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Celebrate National Volunteer Month with family volunteering! Strengthen bonds, boost confidence, and instill lifelong empathy by serving together with United Way NCA.

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Community Service Ideas for Kids and Families

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Community Service Ideas for Kids and Families

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Community Service Ideas for Kids & Families | Children’s Bureau

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Find 30 community service ideas for kids and families. Make an impact in your community. Learn more!

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“A Day On, Not a Day Off”: Kids’ Books about Community Service - Chapel Hill Public Library

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“A Day On, Not a Day Off”: Kids’ Books about Community Service by Chapel_Hill_KidsStaff - a staff-created list : Honor Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s legacy by serving your community. How? There are lots of ways! Check out these books from the kids’ room for inspiration.

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The Passover table already has salt water to symbolize our ancestors' tears, so PJ Library wants to help you avoid shedding actual ones when planning how to lead your own seder.

To make it as simple as possible, here's our Step-by-Step Seder video playlist. In each brief segment, the great Shira Kline shows you one of the fifteen steps of a seder. Follow along with the PJ Library Family Haggadah - which you can download for free - using this short, sweet cheat sheet.

If you aren't already enrolled in PJ Library, sign up to get more Jewish holiday and parenting resources as well as free children's books mailed to your home.

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The Passover table already has salt water to symbolize our ancestors' tears, so PJ Library wants to help you avoid shedding actual ones when planning how to lead your own seder. To make it as simple as possible, here's our Step-by-Step Seder video playlist.

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Easter | All About the Holidays | PBS LearningMedia

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Easter is widely considered the most important Christian holiday. The holiday celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion.