Teaching Resources
A typical day is long and hard enough for a dedicated teacher. But, in times of crisis, you feel pulled in so many directions all at once. To help you out, we have put together supportive lesson plans and related materials that you can access quickly.
The following lesson plans and related materials have been made available through the generous cooperation of our content partners. If you use these, please send the provider an email of ‘thanks’ with any comments that you wish to share.
NEA Safe Schools Videos
NEA Safe Schools Program
The National Education Association, EchoStar Communications Corporation, Flying Colors Broadcasts, and the Learning First Alliance formed the NEA Safe Schools program in response to the growing concerns about school safety.
The Network produced and broadcast research-based programming aimed at helping schools and communities develop strategies to create safe, nurturing environments for our nation’s children.
Each videotape episode includes a Discussion Guide with probing questions to explore with your viewing audience, as well as annotated listings of helpful resources to go to for more information.
To view any of the video clips, you will need to have a copy of the QuickTime Player on your computer. Free versions for both Windows and Mac OS are available by clicking on the icon. Please make sure that you have QuickTime version 5.2 or greater, though earlier versions of QuickTime may work on some computers.
If you are interested in ordering a copy of any video, please call the NEA HIN Distribution Center at 1-877-250-5795.
To view any of the related documents, you will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat, or similar program that reads PDF files. Free versions for both Windows and Mac OS are available by clicking on the icon.
Of the original nine-part series, only the following videos are available for purchase:
Safe Schools Program Introduction
A brief intro to the Safe Schools series of nine episodes. This intro was prepared during the early stages of production.
Please note: if you are connected to the Internet using a 56k or slower modem, this may take several minutes to begin. To view a lower resolution version, click on this link: Intro Clip Low. (Low-speed, lower resolution video clips can appear very “blocky” when there is movement in the video.) Please note comments about QuickTime at the top of this section.
Mind Over Media: Helping Kids Get the Message ( Episode 9)
This episode puts the tools of media literacy into the hands of educators, parents, community leaders, and kids. Hosted by Court TV’s Rikki Klieman and WNBC (New York) reporter/anchor Maurice DuBois, the program visits classrooms across the country, giving teacher-tested tips for integrating media literacy instruction at every grade level. Al Roker of the Today show joins us for follow-up discussions with parents, educators, and kids.
The viewable clip is a section from Part Three: Multimedia and highlights a teacher in Capitol Heights, MD, and a discussion about “what is violence?”
Please note: if you are connected to the Internet using a 56k or slower modem, this may take several minutes to begin. To view a lower resolution version, click on this link: Episode 9 Clip Low. (Low-speed, lower resolution video clips can appear very “blocky” when there is movement in the video.) Please note comments about QuickTime at the top of this section.
Download Episode 9 Discussion Guide (requires PDF reader)
Download Episode 9 Resource Guide (requires PDF reader)
Can’t We All Just Get Along? Dealing with Hate & Bias
(Episode 7)
In the seventh NEA Safe Schools Now broadcast, “Can’t We All Just Get Along? Dealing With Hate and Bias,” we highlight specific programs that create inclusive, bias-free environments in school communities. These programs promote violence prevention by confronting school culture issues such as harassment, racism, homophobia, and gender bias. Students share their experiences with these issues and guide us to a better understanding of what it’s like to be “different” or to be perceived as “different.” School staff, students, parents, community members, and a panel of professionals provide details on the structure and rationale behind the programs examined in the broadcast.
First, we hear what some students have to say about their personal experiences with hate and bias. Then we learn about Anytown, a program offered by the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ). Anytown is a one-week residential experience designed to reduce discriminatory incidents and hate crimes among youth and to empower youth to have a positive impact on their increasingly multi-cultural environment. We observe students participating in very powerful interpersonal activities as part of the Anytown experience. Following the residential experience, the participants commit to work on their own school’s multi-cultural committee, which advises school principals on diversity issues. Students also commit to 100 hours of community service, which includes mentoring and leading discussion groups for middle school students. We then observe Osceola Middle School students who engage in activities designed to make them aware of stereotypes and the harmful effects they may have on their classmates.
Please note: if you are connected to the Internet using a 56k or slower modem, this may take several minutes to begin. To view a lower resolution version, click on this link: Episode 7 Clip Low. (Low-speed, lower resolution video clips can appear very “blocky” when there is movement in the video.) Please note comments about QuickTime at the top of this section.
Download Episode 7 Discussion Guide (requires PDF reader)
Download Episode 7 Resource Guide (requires PDF reader)
Violence-Related Stress: A Guide for School Staff (Episode 6)
In the NEA Safe Schools Now Network’s sixth program, Violence Related Stress: A Guide for School Staff, we look at effective practices and programs that help students and staff prepare for and manage the stress that results from exposure to violent trauma. Our show begins with a panel discussion by three experts who talk about the importance of preparing a comprehensive plan for dealing with all kinds of traumatic events. They explain that violence-induced stress can extend to people who were not on the scene nor physically injured. Our experts emphasize the importance of schools and communities meeting the mental health needs of both staff and students following exposure to violent trauma. Their discussion prepares us for a visit to La Cima Middle School, in Tucson, Arizona and Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where school staff and community-based personnel share with us the effective practices and programs that they have developed to address violence-related stress. We then visit with six school staff who share their own, personal experiences with violence-related stress.
Please note: if you are connected to the Internet using a 56k or slower modem, this may take several minutes to begin. To view a lower resolution version, click on this link: Episode 6 Clip Low. (Low-speed, lower resolution video clips can appear very “blocky” when there is movement in the video.) Please note comments about QuickTime at the top of this section.
Download Episode 6 Discussion Guide (requires PDF reader)
Download Episode 6 Resource Guide (requires PDF reader)
Forging Community Alliances (Episode 4)
In Forging Community Alliances, we will look at two examples of communities that have created school – community partnerships to enhance the overall safety of their students and the communities in general. Our goals are to inspire others to forge or enhance their own community alliances, and to advance the discussion of school safety around the country. Community alliances are built on a foundation of concern, financial support, and involvement by individuals and community groups alike. In this show, we will explore how two different school systems — one in Buncombe County, North Carolina, the other in Mesa, Arizona — have used their community alliances to protect students within their school environments; to equip students to face the challenges to their safety that they may encounter; and, to encourage young people to be resilient, closely tied to their neighborhoods and communities, and ultimately more responsible citizens.
Please note: if you are connected to the Internet using a 56k or slower modem, this may take several minutes to begin. To view a lower resolution version, click on this link: Episode 4 Clip Low. (Low-speed, lower resolution video clips can appear very “blocky” when there is movement in the video.) Please note comments about QuickTime at the top of this section
Download Episode 4 Discussion Guide (requires PDF reader)
Download Episode 4 Resource Guide (requires PDF reader)
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