Literacy

557 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

Protest Songs: Sounds of Resistance

History and Society • Literacy

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Grades K - 8

Protest Songs: Sounds of Resistance

By Pulitzer Center

K - 8

In this two-part activity, students learn about the history of American protest songs and explore how Black Americans have utilized music to resist injustices and empower and uplift themselves.

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Protest Songs: Sounds of Resistance

History and Society • Literacy

2h•Grades K - 8

A News Show Structure: Run-of-Shows

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

30m

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Grades 3 - 5

A News Show Structure: Run-of-Shows

By PBS

3 - 5

30m

Calling all future news show producers! Dive into our dynamic lesson, where students become the architects of a 60-minute news show. They'll learn the art of story organization and create their run-of-show.

This activity can be completed as a standalone lesson. It is, however, best completed as part of SRL’s The News Show Structure. This series is also the second section of SRL’s First Module From Concept to Screen: Building Your News Hour. The module is broken into three sections. The first two 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. The module is followed by a second that deepens student knowledge and skills.

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A News Show Structure: Run-of-Shows

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

30m•Grades 3 - 5

Respect and Learn from Others (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness • Literacy

45m

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Grades 9 - 12

Respect and Learn from Others (Grades 9-12)

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45m

Students learn about tolerance by learning about their peers and recognizing and appreciating their similarities and differences. This activity builds communication and listening skills and helps students learn to respect one another’s strengths, interests, and perspectives.

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Respect and Learn from Others (Grades 9-12)

Social and Emotional Awareness • Literacy

45m•Grades 9 - 12

Rhyme in Super-Quick Time

Literacy • Arts

20m

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Grades K - 5

Rhyme in Super-Quick Time

By Foundations, Inc.

K - 5

20m

This game practices rhyming and is excellent for pre-school and younger elementary age kids as well as English Language Learners (ELLs). Rhyming is a great way to help children and youth develop vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening skills.

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Rhyme in Super-Quick Time

Literacy • Arts

20m•Grades K - 5

Planning a Studio Set

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

45m

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Grades 3 - 5

Planning a Studio Set

By PBS

3 - 5

45m

Welcome to the creative world of set design for news shows! Students design an engaging and relevant interview set.

This is lesson 20 in “Building a News Hour,” the second module from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs’ module series.

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Planning a Studio Set

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

45m•Grades 3 - 5

Stories from Photos (Grades 6-8)

Literacy • Arts

45m

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Grades 6 - 8

Stories from Photos (Grades 6-8)

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45m

Students use photos as prompts to create characters and write a story (or the beginning of a story). This engaging activity promotes creativity and teaches writing skills.

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Stories from Photos (Grades 6-8)

Literacy • Arts

45m•Grades 6 - 8

The Spelling Web (Grades 3-5)

Literacy

45m

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Grades 3 - 5

The Spelling Web (Grades 3-5)

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45m

Students compete to spell words by connecting the letters in a web and then create spelling webs of their own.

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The Spelling Web (Grades 3-5)

Literacy

45m•Grades 3 - 5

What Is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? (Grades 3-5)

History and Society • Literacy

45m

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Grades 3 - 5

What Is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? (Grades 3-5)

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45m

Students explore how countries settle disputes and why they might form alliances. After learning some basic information about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), students color a map of Europe to identify all the current NATO members. They wrap up the activity with a discussion about NATO members and the benefits of joining an alliance.

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What Is the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? (Grades 3-5)

History and Society • Literacy

45m•Grades 3 - 5

Cell Phone Policy: Keep or Change?

Social and Emotional Awareness • Literacy

45m

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Grades 3 - 5

Cell Phone Policy: Keep or Change?

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45m

Students debate whether their school’s cell phone policy is too strict or appropriate. After discussing the issue in groups, students write letters to their teachers or school administrators to communicate their recommendations.

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Cell Phone Policy: Keep or Change?

Social and Emotional Awareness • Literacy

45m•Grades 3 - 5

Area Dice

STEM • Literacy

15m

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Grades 6 - 12

Area Dice

By After-School All-Stars

6 - 12

15m

Students practice multiplication and visualizing area spaces with this fun math game.

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Area Dice

STEM • Literacy

15m•Grades 6 - 12

Interview Setup Evaluation Checklist

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

45m

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Grades 3 - 5

Interview Setup Evaluation Checklist

By PBS

3 - 5

45m

Picture this: You're setting up for an important interview. The ambiance, the lighting, the background - they all play pivotal roles. But how do you ensure your interview set is perfect for your journalistic masterpiece? That's where an Evaluation Checklist comes in! Students work in teams and as a class to craft an Evaluation Checklist.

This is lesson 23 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

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Interview Setup Evaluation Checklist

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

45m•Grades 3 - 5

Teens Curate Teens: Opening the Exhibition

Arts • Literacy

1h 30m

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Grades 9 - 12

Teens Curate Teens: Opening the Exhibition

By ArtsConnection

9 - 12

1h 30m

It's the exhibition opening! Teen curators work as a collective team to design, plan, install, and host an art event featuring artwork by teens open to the public. Students prepare for the opening and dates of the exhibition.

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Teens Curate Teens: Opening the Exhibition

Arts • Literacy

1h 30m•Grades 9 - 12

Collections

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

History and Society • Literacy

11 Items

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Grades K - 8

Collection

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

By 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 Resistance

History and Society • Literacy

Grades K - 8

COLLECTION

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

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

10 Items

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Grades K - 5

Collection

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

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 5

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 Home

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

Grades K - 5

COLLECTION

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

8 Items

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Grades 3 - 5

Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 3-5

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

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 3-5

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

Grades 3 - 5

COLLECTION

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

21 Items

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Grades 3 - 5

Collection

From Concept to Screen: Building Your Own News Show

By PBS

3 - 5

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 Show

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

COLLECTION

The Big Easy

Arts • Literacy

15 Items

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Grades 3 - 8

Collection

The Big Easy

By Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

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 Easy

Arts • Literacy

Grades 3 - 8

COLLECTION

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

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

13 Items

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Grades K - 2

Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (K-2)

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

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)

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

Grades K - 2

COLLECTION

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

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

9 Items

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Grades K - 8

Collection

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

By Pulitzer Center

K - 8

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 2-6

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

Grades K - 8

COLLECTION

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

7 Items

•

Grades 9 - 12

Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

By Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

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 9-12

Literacy • Digital Media and Communications

Grades 9 - 12

COLLECTION

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

5 Items

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Grades 3 - 5

Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

By PBS

3 - 5

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 5

This Module from SRL takes youth through the all elements of building their own news hour. A follow-up to the From Concept to Screen Module, this six part Collection takes youth through the all the steps in creating a news hour to tell their stories.

This is Module 5 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 5

Digital Media and Communications • Literacy

Grades 3 - 5

COLLECTION