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Debate: Should Thanksgiving Be Taught Differently?

What Americans learn about Thanksgiving in their early school years can deeply impact their understanding of the holiday and its place in history. In some classrooms, the story of the first Thanksgiving is told in simple terms, often accompanied by craft projects celebrating Pilgrim and Native American costumes and culture. Some say this basic re-telling of the event with a focus on gratitude is age-appropriate and instills pride among students in their country’s origins. Others say that young students can handle being taught about the event within its historical context in a more nuanced and truthful way. Listen to hear teachers share ideas for teaching about the holiday and then debate: Should Thanksgiving be taught differently?

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Debate: How Can Students Become Prepared to Spot Fake News?

Ear A recent study tested over 7,800 teenagers on their ability to differentiate fake from real news and sponsored ads from news articles. The results showed that 80-90 percent of high school students had a difficult time judging the credibility of news. This skill is necessary to make choices about what to believe and what to share. Listen to this story to hear more about this study and what can be done to educate people about fake news and then debate with your students, how can students become prepared to spot fake news?

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Australian Animals

Australia is full of diverse and unusual animal life. It is home to hundreds of different species of marsupials, which are mammals that carry their babies in pouches, along with deadly snakes, spiders, and jellyfish. Listen to hear a story about exploring the Australian outback and learn about the unique adaptations and appearances of the animals living there.

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Indian American Teen Podcasts About Her Cultural Identity

Kriti Sarav, a 16-year-old from Chicago, won the high school prize for NPR's Student Podcast Challenge in 2021. Her winning podcast, which she created all by herself, discusses her life growing up Indian American. She recalls some of the many messages she has received that she is different and explains their impact on her over time. Listen to hear Sarav tell her story and find out how she helps herself and others feel proud and strong.

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Parallel Universe: The Americas Before Columbus

America looked different before Columbus arrived in 1492. In this audio story, historian Charles Mann paints a vivid picture of pre-Columbian America, a world of glittering cities, advanced technology, monumental architecture, and powerful empires. Listen to learn how these advanced societies functioned and how Spanish explorers and Indigenous people interacted when they first encountered each other.

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New Immigrants and Ellis Island Today

During the late 19th and early 20th century, Ellis Island in New York City was the first stop for millions of immigrants entering the United States. The facility became a symbol of America’s history as a society built by immigrants. Today, Ellis Island is a museum that tells just one part of the story of American immigration. Listen to hear the experience of how immigrants arrived at Ellis Island and how the museum remains relevant to people coming to the United States today.

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Debate: Should the Workweek Be Only Four Days?

The standard 40-hour workweek was established in the 1930s, and some are suggesting that today’s workers should spend fewer hours on the job. They say technology like wifi and laptops help people get more done in less time, and pursuing interests outside of work prevents burnout. Business leaders worry, however, that less time in the office would result in decreased productivity. Listen to learn what researchers found when workers in Iceland put in fewer hours for the same pay and then debate: Should the workweek be only four days?

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