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

Wonderful Websites

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Wonderful Websites

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, the children explore a variety of age-appropriate websites with a partner. They read, play games, watch videos, and so on., with an adult monitoring their progress and helping out, as needed.

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Free Press Comic or Collage

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Free Press Comic or Collage

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students explore the importance of the freedom of the press in the United States. They identify examples of the press, examine modern newspapers and magazines, and analyze a mock headline and story to consider limitations on a free press. Finally, teams use what they have learned to create a cartoon, collage, or comic strip illustrating the rights of the press, limits on those rights, and the importance of a free press.

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Simple Signs

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Simple Signs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about American Sign Language (ASL) and practice some of the simpler signs. They use their new signing ability to communicate messages to each other.

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Simple Clay Human Figures Full Body

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Simple Clay Human Figures Full Body

OregonASK

K - 8

1 Hour

Students learn one technique for sculpting human bodies. Students will also learn important clay making skills.

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The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

Welcome to Lesson 1 of Jazz at Lincoln Center's module, "The Big Easy"! Dive into the captivating world of art and music as students explore how artists and musicians bring stories to life. Discover the magic of beat, tempo, and lines as students create their first masterpiece, setting the stage for an inspiring journey ahead.

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Design Your Own Word Game

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Design Your Own Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

In this activity, students work in groups to create a prototype for a new word game. First, students use existing word games as inspiration to create a new one. Then, the groups rotate, playing the new games and giving feedback to be used as improvements for the prototype. Finally, students reconvene as a whole group for discussion.

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Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

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Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Much of the music of the 1960s is well known for its social commentary. Students will read the lyrics of 6 songs from this era and use them to write a new song that conveys a message for our time. They will also explore how the perceptions of a writer and reader can be the same or different.

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Hot 21st Century Careers

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Hot 21st Century Careers

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read online sources about careers that will likely be in demand in the upcoming year: physical therapist, security manager, financial tech professional, and in-home care provider.

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The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students work in pairs to learn about the European Union and create and share a 1-minute presentation about it.

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Snail Mail: Handwriting Practice

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Snail Mail: Handwriting Practice

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students practice their handwriting by writing a letter to a friend or family member. They can then either mail these letters (“snail mail”) or hand them to a friend.

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Animals That Talk in Stories

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Animals That Talk in Stories

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students search for animals in stories that talk or have human characteristics. Then, they create an animal to share with their peers.

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Wonderful Websites

Digital Voices, Stories and Perspectives

Wonderful Websites

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Free Press Comic or Collage

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

Free Press Comic or Collage

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Simple Signs

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Simple Signs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

In this activity, students learn about American Sign Language (ASL) and practice some of the simpler signs. They use their new signing ability to communicate messages to each other.

Discover Activity

Simple Clay Human Figures Full Body

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

Simple Clay Human Figures Full Body

OregonASK

K - 8

1 Hour

Students learn one technique for sculpting human bodies. Students will also learn important clay making skills.

Discover Activity

The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

The Big Easy: Day 1 Lesson

Jazz at Lincoln Center

3 - 8

1 Hour

Discover Activity

Design Your Own Word Game

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Design Your Own Word Game

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Belonging and Community, Stories and Perspectives

Get to Know You Bingo (Grades 6-8)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 8

45 Minutes

Students complete a Bingo card about themselves and then play a collaborative Bingo game, learning personality traits and fun facts about one another along the way.

Discover Activity

Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Stories and Perspectives, We The People

Journey in Time: The Lyrics of 1960s Protest Songs

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Discover Activity

Hot 21st Century Careers

Future Ready: Learning and Earning, Stories and Perspectives

Hot 21st Century Careers

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students read online sources about careers that will likely be in demand in the upcoming year: physical therapist, security manager, financial tech professional, and in-home care provider.

Discover Activity

The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

We The People, Stories and Perspectives

The EU: A Brief History (and more!) of The European Union

Mizzen Education, Inc.

9 - 12

45 Minutes

Students work in pairs to learn about the European Union and create and share a 1-minute presentation about it.

Discover Activity

Snail Mail: Handwriting Practice

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

Snail Mail: Handwriting Practice

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

45 Minutes

Students practice their handwriting by writing a letter to a friend or family member. They can then either mail these letters (“snail mail”) or hand them to a friend.

Discover Activity

Animals That Talk in Stories

Stories and Perspectives, Arts in Action

Animals That Talk in Stories

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

45 Minutes

In this activity, students search for animals in stories that talk or have human characteristics. Then, they create an animal to share with their peers.

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Collections

Building a NewsHour: Part 4

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

6 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 4

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 4

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 4 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

6 Activities

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

How can good journalism empower people? This module begins by asking students to identify what they believe the purpose of journalism to be, and guides them to think critically and creatively about their relationship with news.

Students will move from reflecting on the power and purpose of journalism to examining how bias can affect the news, and the way in which we process information ourselves. Students will learn about news framing and editorial judgment, putting themselves in the shoes of editors and journalists who decide which stories get told and how they are presented to the public. Finally, students will move from analyzing news stories to responding to underreported stories that matter to them through creative and journalistic projects.

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 younger learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6, also on Mizzen.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 3

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 3

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 3

This is Module 3 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

1 Hour

Students will engage in a four-week learning experience focused on creating innovator trading cards. This project allows them to explore and highlight the varied contributions of Black Americans to their communities, developing key skills such as listening, drawing, speaking, and foundational categorization. In the final week, Week 4, students will use their completed trading cards to determine the most suitable type of community helper for various scenarios.

There are two activities in the Innovator Trading Card Collection:

Activity 1, Designing Innovator Trading Cards, focuses on the "theme of the week," learning about the innovators and their influence, and designing the innovator trading cards.
Activity 2, Playing Innovator Trading Cads, focuses on facilitating the associated game to reinforce learning.

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American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

13 Activities

American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

9 Hours 10 Minutes

This Collection is a weekly, hands-on playlist that helps 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 collaboration, students discover lesser-known Black Americans whose voices and ideas have made a lasting impact. Each week introduces a new theme that strengthens reading comprehension, evidence-based thinking, creativity, and teamwork, while giving learners multiple opportunities to apply their understanding through discussion, design, and gameplay. Designed for flexible facilitation and active learning, this playlist shows that innovation happens in many ways—and that elevating diverse voices deepens our understanding of history.

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 (3-5)

Word Detectives

What is that Tone

Rhythm and Language

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars

Arm and Belt Accessories

Engineering an Upgrade (Grades 3-5)

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

The Animal Spin

Create and Perform a Scene from a Book

Clay Pinch Pot

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

More Tools Are Better Than One

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

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Making Comics!

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

Making Comics!

OregonASK

3 - 12

6 Hours

Making Comics has seven basic lessons for students to explore how comics are made while learning about story telling, character, setting, action and plot. Each lesson takes about an hour, and this course has 7-10 hours of activities that build as students complete their own comic characters, strips, and finally books from start to finish.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 2

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 2

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 2

This is Module 2 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

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Innovator Trading Cards (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (6-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

2 Hours

This collection invites learners to analyze the work of lesser-known Black American innovators and transform their learning into a collaborative, challenge-based experience. Students design Innovator Trading Cards by closely reading informational texts, identifying historical context, and synthesizing each innovator’s contribution using evidence and symbolism. In the final game, learners apply teams of innovators to complex community scenarios, justifying their choices with text-based reasoning and historical insight. Together, the card design and gameplay encourage critical thinking, interdisciplinary connections, and a deeper understanding of how innovation, leadership, and culture shape society.

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Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

1 Hour 50 Minutes

In this collection, learners explore the stories of lesser-known Black American innovators by creating their own Innovator Trading Cards. Using short texts and close reading strategies, students identify key details about how each innovator helped their community and represent that learning through words, symbols, and color. As the weeks progress, learners build a growing card collection connected by shared themes. In the final game, students use their cards to respond to community challenge scenarios, practicing teamwork, reasoning, and explaining how different kinds of innovation work together to solve problems.

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Building a NewsHour: Part 4

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

6 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 4

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 4

This is Module 4 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

Discover Collection

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

6 Activities

The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 7-12

Pulitzer Center

6 - 12

Are you looking for media literacy activities for younger learners? Check out The News and You: Journalism and Media Literacy for Grades 2-6, also on Mizzen.

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 3

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 3

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 3

This is Module 3 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

Discover Collection

Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (K-2)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

K - 2

1 Hour

There are two activities in the Innovator Trading Card Collection:

Activity 1, Designing Innovator Trading Cards, focuses on the "theme of the week," learning about the innovators and their influence, and designing the innovator trading cards.
Activity 2, Playing Innovator Trading Cads, focuses on facilitating the associated game to reinforce learning.

Discover Collection

American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

13 Activities

American History: Elevating Black Voices (3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

9 Hours 10 Minutes

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Word Detectives

What is that Tone

Rhythm and Language

Week 2: Inventing and Problem Solving

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

S.INQ Mechanical Engineering Self Propelled Cars

Arm and Belt Accessories

Engineering an Upgrade (Grades 3-5)

Week 3: Creativity and Expression

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

The Animal Spin

Create and Perform a Scene from a Book

Clay Pinch Pot

Week 4: Leadership and Change

Designing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Playing Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

More Tools Are Better Than One

Build Your Own Obstacle Course

Discover Collection

Making Comics!

Arts in Action, Stories and Perspectives

7 Activities

Making Comics!

OregonASK

3 - 12

6 Hours

Discover Collection

Building a NewsHour: Part 2

Stories and Perspectives, Digital Voices

5 Activities

Building a NewsHour: Part 2

PBS

3 - 5

1 Hour 30 Minutes

Welcome to PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (SRL)’s Module, Building a NewsHour: Part 2

This is Module 2 of 6 in the Building a NewsHour Collection series.

Discover Collection

Innovator Trading Cards (6-12)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, We The People

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (6-12)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

6 - 12

2 Hours

Discover Collection

Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Leadership and Teamwork, Stories and Perspectives, Whole Body, Whole Self

2 Activities

Innovator Trading Cards (3-5)

Mizzen Education, Inc.

3 - 5

1 Hour 50 Minutes

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Library

Categories Collaborators Explore All Activities All Collections

Community

Our Story Team Mizzen Events The Mizzen Minute

Engage

Newsroom Contact Us

Account