Stories and Perspectives

549 Activities

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

What Is Journalism, and Why Does It Matter?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What Is Journalism, and Why Does It Matter?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

In this activity, students leverage prior knowledge to define the news, understand the role of journalists in covering news, and consider why journalism is important to their personal lives and their community.

Discover Activity

Write Postcards from Countries

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Write Postcards from Countries

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students often are fascinated by faraway places. This fascination can fuel an interest in reading about the countries of the world. In this activity, students will visit a website and gather a few facts about a country of their choice. They will then use these facts to write a postcard telling of their trip to that country.

Discover Activity

Models and Props for Books and Games

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Models and Props for Books and Games

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Books and games stimulate the imagination by portraying characters, objects, and settings. In this fun activity, students construct models or props for a dramatic rendering of their favorite book or game.

Discover Activity

American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will learn the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and use it to spell their first and last names in front of the group.

Discover Activity

Memory Card Game (Grades 3-5)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Memory Card Game (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students make and play a card game to work on their memory skills using multiplication facts. Since this activity helps students practice basic math facts, it is a great game to play often.

Discover Activity

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 9-12)

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

This activity will introduce (or reintroduce) students to the key ideas surrounding the creation, financing, and impact of the Marshall Plan. Students will develop key critical thinking, analysis, and collaborative skills, as well as an understanding of US foreign policy and international relations.

Discover Activity

Playing with Sound

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Playing with Sound

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Let's dive into the world of sound control! In this lesson, students experiment with various materials and room setups to understand how they affect sound. Get ready to become audio experts!

This is lesson 32 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

Discover Activity

The Word (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

The Word (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

10 Minutes

Read your partner's mind... Using only 1 word!

Discover Activity

Shadow Puppet Stage!

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Shadow Puppet Stage!

Rediscover Center

K - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

In this activity, students will build a stage and put on a puppet show! The stage may include props, curtains, and a light source for a shadow puppet show. There are a lot of options that students can use to build their stage!

This activity is part 2 of 2 in the Shadow Puppet Activities by reDiscover Center.

Discover Activity

What Could They Do?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Could They Do?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students read a scenario that ends with the protagonist faced with an important decision: an ethical issue, a health/safety issue, or something that could affect an important friend or family relationship. They consider several choices and the short-term and long-term consequences.

Discover Activity

How to Make a Decision

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

How to Make a Decision

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore the steps of a decision-making process, and discuss how they personally make decisions.

Students may apply many models for decision-making. The goal of this activity is to encourage students to apply a method for organizing their thoughts, recognizing their feelings, and developing intuition about the decision-making process.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this fun activity, students learn about each other as they engage in conversations with a purpose. They sit in a circle and talk alternately with the person on their left and then the person on their right. Their goal is to find something in common with each partner that they don't have in common with the other partner.

Discover Activity

What Is Journalism, and Why Does It Matter?

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

What Is Journalism, and Why Does It Matter?

Pulitzer Center

K - 8

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Write Postcards from Countries

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Write Postcards from Countries

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Models and Props for Books and Games

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Models and Props for Books and Games

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

In this activity, students will learn the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet and use it to spell their first and last names in front of the group.

Discover Activity

Memory Card Game (Grades 3-5)

STEM Lab: Build, Tinker, Explore, Stories and Perspectives

Memory Card Game (Grades 3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students make and play a card game to work on their memory skills using multiplication facts. Since this activity helps students practice basic math facts, it is a great game to play often.

Discover Activity

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 9-12)

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

What Was the Marshall Plan? (Grades 9-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Playing with Sound

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Playing with Sound

PBS

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Let's dive into the world of sound control! In this lesson, students experiment with various materials and room setups to understand how they affect sound. Get ready to become audio experts!

This is lesson 32 of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs' second module, Building a News Hour.

Discover Activity

The Word (Team Building) Game

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

The Word (Team Building) Game

!Mpact Players

6 - 12

10 Minutes

Read your partner's mind... Using only 1 word!

Discover Activity

Shadow Puppet Stage!

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Shadow Puppet Stage!

Rediscover Center

K - 8

1 Hour 30 Minutes

This activity is part 2 of 2 in the Shadow Puppet Activities by reDiscover Center.

Discover Activity

What Could They Do?

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Could They Do?

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

How to Make a Decision

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

How to Make a Decision

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students explore the steps of a decision-making process, and discuss how they personally make decisions.

Discover Activity

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

What Do We Have in Common? (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Collections

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

8 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

6 Hours

The playlist has been curated to support reading and literacy enrichment through fun and innovative learning experiences. This playlist supports grades 6-8 and can be implemented in a various out-of-school settings.

Discover Collection

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

7 Hours 15 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students various activities that teaches them the importance of understanding the emotions of their peers.

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

8 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 6

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 6 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

kid-grit

K - 2

2 Hours

This playlist of opening and closing activities encourages youth to explore their big and small emotions while sharing positive thoughts about themselves and their friends. The opening activities offer simple strategies to help them feel calm and prepared for the day, gently setting the stage for a strong and centered start. Closing activities invite students to reflect on moments of kindness, connection, and courage through song, movement, gratitude, and reflection. Whether mimicking animals, writing thank-you notes, or sharing songs from home, they’ll consider what made them feel seen, strong, or calm. Each experience helps them carry something positive forward until they gather again next time!

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

kid-grit

3 - 5

2 Hours

This collection of opening and closing activities encourages students to explore their thoughts, feelings, and choices while building habits that support reflection and growth. Opening activities use emojis, discussion prompts, and movement to help students connect with their emotions and set a tone of respect, curiosity, and readiness for learning. Closing activities invite students to slow down, look inward, and practice calming techniques as they reflect on their experiences and explore ways to shift habits and mindsets. Together, these moments bookend the day with purpose and self-awareness!

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

PBS

3 - 5

2 Hours

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

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

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, We The People, Stories and Perspectives

13 Activities

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

Improv: Say the Line

How to Look at Dance

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Playing Innovator Trading Cards

Analyzing and Constructing Timelines of Racial (In)justice

Dream Team

Discover Collection

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

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

7 Activities

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.

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

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.

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

8 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 6-8

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

6 Hours

Discover Collection

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Social and Emotional Learning Activities for 3rd-5th Grade at Home

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

7 Hours 15 Minutes

This Playlist provides younger students various activities that teaches them the importance of understanding the emotions of their peers.

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

8 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 6

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 6

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

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for K-2

kid-grit

K - 2

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

Stories and Perspectives, Belonging and Community

10 Activities

Opening and Closing Activities for Grades 3-5

kid-grit

3 - 5

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 5

PBS

3 - 5

2 Hours

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

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

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, We The People, Stories and Perspectives

13 Activities

American History: Elevating Black Voices (6-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

9 Hours 10 Minutes

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

Improv: Say the Line

How to Look at Dance

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards

Playing Innovator Trading Cards

Analyzing and Constructing Timelines of Racial (In)justice

Dream Team

Discover Collection

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

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

7 Activities

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.

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.

Discover Collection

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

Reading and Literacy Enrichment, Grades 9-12

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

5 Hours 15 Minutes

Discover Collection