GAPS Libraries Resource Update

The Promise of a Nation: Commemorating 250 Years of Patriotism, Resilience, and Aspirations from the National Collection celebrates the country’s 250th anniversary with Smithsonian curators and experts exploring American history decade by decade, sharing both familiar and lesser-told stories that have shaped the country. Some 700 Smithsonian objects, many of them rarely seen, immerse readers into the nation’s material past and bring the history alive. It’s a remarkable tribute and a great way for students to engage with our nation’s history and this momentous anniversary. The book releases on April 14, but you can preview it here. Contact Sarah Fannon at FannonS@si.edu with questions, or to inquire about discounts for class sets.

Build your students’ lateral reading and fact-checking skills on a weekly basis with the Share or Beware game from KQED. If you’re new to Share or Beware, you can start with your students at any time! Instructions are on slide 2.

All students and staff K-12 can participate. Support materials available below.

News literacy education helps students engage with complex issues, reflect on their civic responsibilities and make meaningful decisions about what information and sources to trust. These lessons, activities and other resources to help students recognize the role of a free press in society and understand First Amendment protections of free speech.

PRINTABLE FIRST AMENDMENT POSTER

These Earth Day activity pages are designed for teachers who want simple, meaningful ways to bring climate education into their classrooms—no long-term planning required. Each set can be completed in a single day and works for any grade or subject. Whether you’re celebrating Earth Day for the first time or looking for an easy entry point, these activities provide engaging, hands-on ways for students to learn about and care for the planet while supporting environmental literacy.

The Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub is excited to announce that the Educator Lending Library will continue to be an available resource over the summer term for public school K-12 educators in Linn and Benton Counties and Linn-Benton Community College faculty. All kits borrowed over the spring term will need to be returned by June 12, 2026. The Educator Lending Library's summer programming will run between June 22, 2026, and August 14, 2026. Lending Library patrons will be able to borrow up to five kits for up to six weeks during the summer programming period. Programming will return to the standard school year borrowing policy of up to two kits for two weeks again on August 31, 2026, as we gear up for the fall term.

Reach out to the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub with inquiries. Visit the Educator Lending Library resource webpage. If you are not an Educator Lending Library patron already, be sure to fill out the patron sign-up form today. Sign up for the Mid-Valley STEM-CTE Hub newsletter for information about more exciting opportunities!

The Ethics of Generative AI in the Classroom

This is the first mini-lesson in a two-part series on the impact generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E have on education.

Assessing the Strength of Democracy in the United States

This lesson provides students with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of democracy and reflect on the strength of our democracy.

Elementary school librarian Tom Bober has been thinking about America’s 250th birthday for a few years. He wondered what the semiquincentennial will mean to his students beyond fireworks and flags. How can he help make it more than the summer celebrations? How can he share the story of the United States?

The answer: Picture books and primary sources. Bober broke the 250 years into 50-year sections and searched his c­ollection for nonfiction picture books that would help tell a well-rounded story of America. He then found historical primary sources to go with each title that can “allow us to get a little bit closer to that history or get to it in a little bit of a different way that the book may not allow us to do.” Read more here.

Can you spot the misinformation?

Ten images and videos circulated online during the Iran war. Some are real. Some are fake. Your time will be recorded — the highest score in the shortest time wins a NewsGuard cap. When you're done, you can review explanations for the right answers.

GAPS staff and students have access to the following Spanish-language research resources:

• Informe Académico - Una coleccion de revistas hispanicas con textos completos.
• aulaPlaneta Banco de contenidos

Libro.fm offers FREE audiobooks to educators, and this month's selections are here.

ELEMENTARY RESOURCES | SECONDARY RESOURCES