Literacy

549 Activities

Literacy

Words carry power, so let’s use them to make an impact! Learners build voice and communication skills through reading, writing, poetry, journalism, and public speaking. They also explore self-expression and the stories of others.

Activities

Early African Civilizations and Cultures

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 3 - 8

Early African Civilizations and Cultures

Pulitzer Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students exercise their research and presentation skills while learning about the cultures of early African civilizations. Facilitators will model inquiry and research by co-creating a presentation on the kingdom of Ndongo, featured in the picture book Born on the Water, with the whole group. Students will then complete their own inquiry into an early African civilization and share their learning with their peers.

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Early African Civilizations and CulturesHistory and Society, Literacy

1 Hour•Grades 3 - 8

Hate Speech vs. Free Speech

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 6 - 8

Hate Speech vs. Free Speech

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will discover that the First Amendment guarantees Americans the right to free speech but that not all speech is protected. They will define the concept of hate speech, explain when it is protected, and explain when the government can step in to limit it. Students will analyze different real-life situations to determine if hate speech should be protected and explaining their reasoning to the whole group.

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Hate Speech vs. Free SpeechHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)

Arts, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students choose well-known characters from books, movies, and other media. Then, they form groups of 3 to plan and perform a short skit about the character.

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Character Mash-Up (Grades 9-12)Arts, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Preparation and practice are the keys to a successful interview and amazing story. This lesson uses a famous art project, Humans of New York, to reverse-engineer good interview questions and techniques.

Before you write your own interview questions, understand your goal: to get soundbites that connect with your audience, illuminate the topic and move your story forward.

This is activity 10 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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What Makes a Good Interview? (Student Reporting Labs)Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

50 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Free Speech for Students

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Free Speech for Students

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will review the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, focusing on freedom of speech. They will learn that this freedom is a cornerstone of American culture and democracy, and it extends to students at school. Students will evaluate Tinker v. Des Moines along with a present-day case focusing on students’ first amendment rights.

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Free Speech for StudentsHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Teens may struggle to talk about a wide variety of personal subjects with parents, teachers, peers, and siblings. In this activity, teens will role-play a variety of conversation topics and evaluate their performances. (Note that the activity incorporates subjects such as honesty, friendship, academic achievement, and general health and wellness. However, it excludes controversial and emotionally sensitive subjects, such as sexuality and gender identity.)

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Tricky Conversations (Grades 9-12)Social and Emotional Awareness, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)

Literacy, Arts

Grades 9 - 12

Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students improvise skits to show how fictional characters might respond to everyday situations and challenges. This activity demonstrates how fiction can differ from real life.

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Improvisation: Fictional Characters in Daily Life (Grades 9-12)Literacy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Grades 6 - 12

Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)

PBS

6 - 12

50 Minutes

Students will identify what they know and don’t know about their story’s topic. Once students know what they don’t know, they will use curiosity to guide research that will result in better developed stories.

This is activity 8 of 16 in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs Module. Visit the Module to learn more before getting started.

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Research and Understanding (Student Reporting Labs)Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

50 Minutes•Grades 6 - 12

Journey in Time: Campaigns

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 9 - 12

Journey in Time: Campaigns

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read, analyze, and discuss news reports from the same event—the New Hampshire primary—for 4 different presidential campaigns.

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Journey in Time: CampaignsHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Superhero Lair Part 1

Literacy, Arts

Grades K - 5

Superhero Lair Part 1

OregonASK

K - 5

45 Minutes

Students read books about superheroes and make superhero lair.

This activity is a part 3 of a 5 activity series: Creating a Superhero, Creating Superhero Suits, Superhero Lair Part 1, Superhero Lair Part 2, and Superhero Comics.

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Superhero Lair Part 1Literacy, Arts

45 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Journey in Time: Searching World War II Primary Sources

History and Society, Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

Journey in Time: Searching World War II Primary Sources

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students search primary sources on a scavenger hunt for information on the 1930s and 1940s, the era of World War II.

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Journey in Time: Searching World War II Primary SourcesHistory and Society, Literacy

45 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Public Speaking: Wrap it Up

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

Grades 6 - 8

Public Speaking: Wrap it Up

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students compete to make the most engaging summary, or wrap-up, for a presentation.

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Public Speaking: Wrap it UpLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications

45 Minutes•Grades 6 - 8

Collections

13 Activities

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Grades K - 2

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Arts, STEM, Literacy, History and Society

Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

9 Hours 10 Minutes

The American History: Elevating Black Voices Collection is a weekly, hands-on playlist that helps young learners explore how stories, creativity, problem-solving, and leadership shape communities and American history. Through engaging texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities in literacy, STEM, the arts, and teamwork, students discover lesser-known Black Americans whose voices and ideas have made a lasting impact. Each week introduces a new theme that strengthens early reading skills, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, while giving learners multiple opportunities to apply their understanding through play and exploration. Designed for easy facilitation and joyful learning, this playlist shows that innovation takes many forms—and that every voice matters.

For a consistent learning experience, it is recommended that this collection be completed in the sequence outlined below. This allows learners to apply the weekly themes from the Innovator Playing Cards through supplementary activities.

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

New End to the Story

Round Robin Storytelling

Animal Interviews

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Balanced Mobile

Sound on a String

Mechanical Engineering Tops

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Masquerade Masks

Music and Rhythm (Grades k-2)

Creative Play Design Challenges

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

People Bingo

What is a Quality

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American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)Leadership and Teamwork, Arts, STEM, Literacy, History and Society

9 Hours 10 Minutes•Grades K - 2

Collection

15 Activities

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Grades 3 - 8

The Big Easy

Literacy, Arts

Collection

The Big Easy

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

20 Hours

Step into the vibrant world of Jazz at Lincoln Center's "The Big Easy" module, where students embark on an exhilarating journey of creativity and discovery. Jazz at Lincoln Center has made identifying and decoding symbols in art a fun and easy process. Throughout the module, students learn to "read" a provided comic book by researching the history of New Orleans and learning the tools artists use to symbolize their experiences, emotions, etc., in their work. Students studying the fundamentals of music, dance, and illustration, throughut this immersive experience, unleash their imagination, celebrate diversity, and ignite their passion for lifelong learning.

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The Big EasyLiteracy, Arts

20 Hours•Grades 3 - 8

Collection

21 Activities

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Grades 3 - 5

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

Collection

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

PBS

3 - 5

10 Hours 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour.

The module is broken into three sections. The first, "Beyond the Headline" and "A News Show Structure" contain lessons that can be completed as standalone activities or as part of a series. All three sections converge to provide a powerful and fun introduction to producing and hosting news shows.

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From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News ShowLiteracy, Digital Media and Communications

10 Hours 30 Minutes•Grades 3 - 5

Collection

8 Activities

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Grades 3 - 5

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

6 Hours

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 3-5 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

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Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

6 Hours•Grades 3 - 5

Collection

10 Activities

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Grades K - 5

Reading and Literacy Activities for K-5th Grade at Home

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Collection

Reading and Literacy Activities for K-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

7 Hours 30 Minutes

This Playlist is all about reading, letters, and games for Kids K-5, and has been mixed especially for having fun at home or in small groups!

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Reading and Literacy Activities for K-5th Grade at HomeDigital Media and Communications, Literacy

7 Hours 30 Minutes•Grades K - 5

Collection

10 Activities

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Grades K - 8

The 1619 Project for Grades 2–6: Exploring Enslavement and Resistance

Literacy, History and Society

Collection

The 1619 Project for Grades 2–6: Exploring Enslavement and Resistance

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

This collection offers students an engaging, affirming introduction to the concepts of history, culture, and resistance to injustice, all while centering the experiences of Black Americans. Activities guide students in multimedia explorations, personal reflections, and group discussions before culminating in a range of hands-on projects, including research, art, creative writing, and presentations. Students are consistently encouraged to reflect on how they can honor the contributions of Black Americans and build a more just world for all people.

Using elementary-friendly text and multimedia resources, students will learn about the history, culture, and resistance of early African civilizations; enslaved Black Americans; and contemporary Black American communities. At the core of these resources is The 1619 Project, an award-winning collection of journalism and history resources about the legacy of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans in moving the country towards its stated ideals.

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The 1619 Project for Grades 2–6: Exploring Enslavement and ResistanceLiteracy, History and Society

Grades K - 8

Collection

7 Activities

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Grades 9 - 12

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

5 Hours 15 Minutes

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 9-12 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

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Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12Digital Media and Communications, Literacy

5 Hours 15 Minutes•Grades 9 - 12

Collection

7 Activities

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Grades K - 8

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

Collection

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

9 Hours

This module supports students in developing a healthy relationship to the news rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, empathy, and empowerment.

Students will learn what the news is and reflect on how they can use it in their lives. They will examine the idea of bias and learn how to challenge it, using some of the same skills journalists use. They will consider why some stories get more attention than others, and explore the importance of seeking out underreported stories in order to see a fuller picture of people, places, and issues. Finally, students will move from analyzing news stories to sharing their learning. In their final projects, students will use creative expression and journalistic information to draw attention to the issues that matter to them.

Throughout this module, facilitators have access to the option of requesting a free virtual visit with a Pulitzer Center journalist who can support students in digging deeper into any of these topics, getting their questions answered, and exploring careers in the journalism field.

Are you looking for media literacy activities for upper middle and high school learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12, also on Mizzen.

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The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6Literacy, Digital Media and Communications

9 Hours•Grades K - 8

Collection

13 Activities

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Grades 6 - 12

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, History and Society, Literacy

Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

9 Hours 10 Minutes

The American History: Elevating Black Voices Collection is a weekly, inquiry-driven playlist that invites learners to examine how storytelling, innovation, creativity, and leadership shape American history and civic life. Through complex texts, Innovator Trading Cards, and theme-based activities across literacy, STEM, the arts, and collaborative problem-solving, students engage with lesser-known Black Americans—whose contributions have influenced systems, culture, and community change. Each week introduces a thematic lens that builds historical analysis, critical reading, argumentation, and interdisciplinary thinking, culminating in a challenge-based game that requires evidence, reasoning, and collaboration. Designed to support meaningful discussion and application, this Collection highlights innovation as a collective process and underscores the power of amplifying voices that shape our shared history.

This collection is designed to have learners apply ideas from the weekly themes introduced through the Innovator Playing Cards with additional related activities; it is recommended to follow this sequence to maintain consistency:

Week 1: Storytelling and Voice

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

What Makes a Good Story?

One Minute Speeches

Erasure Poetry as Resistance

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Cell City

Catapult (Team Building) Game

Build an Extension Arm

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Create a Cardboard Self-Portrait