Quake and Tsunami Strike New Zealand

WORLD A magnitude 7.8 quake struck New Zealand’s South Island, and a tsunami followed. (BBC) Use or video to better understand earthquakes. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit, including today’s simple MapMaker Interactive map. Discussion Ideas In our video “Earthquakes 101,” we learn that most earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates far below Earth’s … Continue reading Quake and Tsunami Strike New Zealand

11 Things We Learned This Week

What did you learn this week? We learned … … why we’re still using bad maps, and what the most beautiful projection in the world is. Why are so many maps so distorted?   … nine questions to help you evaluate the credibility of a news source. How can you integrate news into your curriculum?   … cows can text. How else can technology benefit … Continue reading 11 Things We Learned This Week

Siberian Snowballs May Mean Snowy Winter in the U.S.

ENVIRONMENT Incredible photographs from a beach in Siberia show thousands of naturally formed snowballs spread across an 18-kilometer (11-mile) stretch of coast. This is now officially the best place in the world to have a snowball fight. (Gizmodo) But should you eat them? Use our study guide to investigate further. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit, including … Continue reading Siberian Snowballs May Mean Snowy Winter in the U.S.

Educator Spotlight: Teaching Literature’s Living Canon

Topher Kandik, this week’s Educator of the Week, is Washington D.C.’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. Throughout his nine years teaching, Topher has worked to elevate young voices as much as possible. He believes the best learning experiences come out of student ideas. Topher is a high school English teacher at The SEED School of Washington, D.C. You started your career in arts administration. How … Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Teaching Literature’s Living Canon

Cold War Transport Rolls into Berlin

WORLD The newest trains on the U-Bahn, Berlin’s busy subway system, first rolled out before the Berlin Wall was constructed. (The Atlantic CityLab) How does the U-Bahn serve Berlin? Take a look through our GeoStory on public transportation for some guidance. Discussion Ideas Why has the city of Berlin decided to dust off its classic Cold War-era subway cars, nicknamed ‘Doras’? According to CityLab, “Berlin … Continue reading Cold War Transport Rolls into Berlin