In this lesson, students will observe a social group and identify the common traits shared by the group. They will compare the common traits and daily challenges of a group different from their own self-identified group to connect the meaningfulness of perseverance in varying contexts and people.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
Students will use various math skills and standards to complete a baseball-themed lesson. The main topics of this lesson include percentages, rates, and geometry.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students learn about their classmates and teacher in a way that builds community and cohesiveness in the learning environment. Using the books, Playing for Change by Kelly Brown and The Parallel by Carl Erskine, as well as the Special Olympics video clip, Acceptance, students will discuss differences in the characters who were accepted and those who were not. In pulling these elements out of the plot, the students will then identify differences in themselves that possibly relate to others in the classroom.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of loyalty through discussion with their peers. This lesson is based on a video about the friendship between Carl Erskine and his friend, Johnny Wilson.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students learn why it is important to have personal values. Students will identify a list of core values and discuss how to bring these values into their everyday life and communities.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students investigate how one person can make a difference. They will examine Neil Gaiman’s crowdsourcing fan ideas to develop a poem supporting refugees.Students tap into their creativity to create a “welcome to the US” resource for refugees. The resource places the student in a mentor role to the refugee(s). It shares vital themes that refugees need to know/be able to do to thrive and succeed as a member of US society.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will identify similarities and differences between themselves and a partner to help break down barriers. Students will explore the power of accepting others and connect what they learn to create an acceptance campaign.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of integrity by comparing the actions of characters facing integrity issues, as well as analyzing scenarios that present issues of integrity. There will be a YES/NO class activity and a reflection paper. This lesson will be based on a video about Carl Erskine and integrity, The Parallel book, and students’ research and perceptions of the concept.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of perseverance by reviewing the lives and actions of significant figures facing hardships requiring perseverance. The lesson includes a graphic organizer and an exit ticket. This lesson is based on a video about the life of Carl Erskine and perseverance, The Parallel book, and students’ research and perceptions of the concept.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of respectfulness through discussion with their classmates. An optional infographic activity is provided. This lesson is based on a video about the life of Carl Erskine and the respect he showed others.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of acceptance by developing a creative narrative that demonstrates the core theme of acceptance. The lesson includes a video clip, storyboard template, and rubric. This lesson is based on a video about the life of Carl Erskine, The Parallel book, and students’ research and perceptions of the concept.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will demonstrate their understanding of loyalty through discussion with their classmates. An optional public service announcement activity is provided. This lesson is based on a video about Carl Erskine’s core leadership topic of loyalty and his book, The Parallel.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students investigate non-profits that serve a local or global need. They conduct a web quest on a specific non-profit, answer worksheet questions, and then develop a presentation for a mock donor. This lesson is meant to be cross-curricular, intending students to select a non-profit covering a topic being studied in another course. Examples include food scarcity, lack of clean water, or cultural norms ignoring girls’ education.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will recognize and celebrate their differences and diversity within their classroom community by creating a classroom tree to display. Additionally, they will discuss the importance of inclusivity and acceptance.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will work together in a least restrictive environment to promote friendship and collaboration.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will describe sportsmanship.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will take action to demonstrate kindness to others in their school community. Additionally, students will use basic math skills of skip counting and/or multiplication to tally their actions.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Lesson Plan
This is a sample year-long map that incorporates the EPIC classroom materials into Social Studies, Writing, and Reading lessons.
Material Type: Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy
