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What to Teach in January and February

In place of our usual “This Week in Geographic History,” we’ve gathered content related to upcoming events so you can plan ahead over the holidays.

Check out our Pinterest board for more related resources!

January

The Consumer Electronics Show 

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Consumer electronics include robotic home health aides, like this one attending to a Buddhist monk in Thailand. Photograph by James Nachtwey, National Geographic

Visual: Infographic: Moore’s Law

Background: The Consumer Electronics Show

Activity: Play the Challenge: Robots! game.

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday 

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Martin Luther King, Jr. meets with other civil rights leaders during the 1963 March on Washington. Photograph by James P. Blair, National Geographic.

Visual: 1963 March on Washington

Background: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Civil Rights

Activity: Watch this video about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life

February

Black History Month

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A 99-year-old African-American woman sits in her Detroit home surrounded by portraits documenting five generations of her family. Photograph by Wayne Lawrence, National Geographic.

Map: African American Population  

Background: Collection of Black History Month resources

Activity: Read this blog post about how Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was originally written as a “little black boy.” Why do you think having characters of color in books and movies matters?

Valentine’s Day

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A teenage boy plays the guitar at a Valentines Day school dance in Alaska. Photograph by Emory Kristof, National Geographic.

Visual: Drawing of a heart (the real kind!)

Background: History of Valentine’s Day

Activity: Learn about the different ways Valentine’s Day is celebrated around the world. Ask students which country’s Valentine’s tradition they like best.

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