Celebrating A Natural and Beautiful Part of Human Diversity

Guest post by Stephanie Polito

July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the landmark legislation passed on July 26, 1990, that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. Disability Pride Month was first celebrated that same year, taking place in Boston, Massachusetts in the US. Celebrations follow, with the first parade taking place in Chicago in 2004.

Accessing Inquiry for English Learners through Primary Sources will be offered at the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) in Northampton, Massachusetts in a two-session format, meeting Thursdays a month apart, October 19 and November 16. 

First posted to the TPS Teachers Network by Laurie Risler, and published as an Emerging America blog post on February 5, 2021 with the title, Using History's Mysteries to Teach African American History (guest post).

Every unit of the Reform to Equal Rights: K-12 Disability History Curriculum includes an introduction to the topic of disability, including strategies to address disrespectful vocabulary. 

When the Founding generation talked about the pursuit of happiness they had specific ideas in mind– a tranquility or contentment–the ability to look back on one’s life and feel satisfied with one’s decisions and behavior. To that generation, living a virtuous life was key to human happiness.

Kelley Brown, The Pursuit of Happiness: 

Students Spellbound by Uncovering their School's Early History

English Learners' Questions Connect School with Neighbors

Guest post by Jaqueline LaFrance

This post appeared in edited form in the Daily Hampshire Gazette column Chalk Talk, on November 18, 2022. 

Updated 07-12-2022

Link to the Reform to Equal Rights curriculum web page.

Opening in February, 2023. 

Whose stories would your students like to learn about in your curriculum? Give them this anonymous survey to find out!

Topics that students care about can be one of the most powerful incentives to engage in class, and even, when it is in the balance, to come to school. As we bring the year to a close, finding ways to look ahead with excitement is part of the prescription for all of us.