GAPS Libraries Resource Update

Jump in to explore the extraordinary stories of Oregon's Black history

Explore and download the Oregon Historical Society’s educational resources related to Black history. Materials include curriculum, units, lessons, and other resources that are sorted by grade level and resource type. Some resources may relate to more than one theme.

Just a reminder that every GAPS student can use their student ID card at the Albany Public Library (even students who live in Tangent, Millersburg, or North Albany) to check out books and other materials, and access online resources. Students do not need to renew annually; the one-card access remains in place until they graduate or leave the school district.

In order to take advantage of this partnership, students just need a printed ID card that includes their name, school, and barcode. These are supplied by school photographers at many schools, but can also be printed from the library software onto card stock and laminated. Many schools print a duplicate set, so that they have one to use at the library desk and another for the student to take home for use at the public library. Questions? Email library@albany.k12.or.us.

In this 3-5 lesson, students will learn about the Harlem Renaissance and create original jazz artwork. They will listen to audio samples, analyze elements of jazz, research musicians, and learn how jazz became a unifier between community and culture. Lesson plans and related resources included.

All students from kindergarten to 12th grade can participate -- staff, too!

Use the button below to access support materials

Analyzing Black Histories and Geographies with Primary Sources

This free, open-access book, developed through C-GEO in collaboration with Oregon educators and local and national history organizations, includes 11 secondary lesson chapters that model teaching through Black histories rather than about Black histories. Each chapter features:

• Complete lesson plans with essential and supporting questions
• Primary source analysis activities
• Performance tasks
• Adaptation and extension suggestions

The lessons emphasize centering Black voices and experiences as active agents in history rather than treating Black history as a separate topic. Download the open access book here.

Phoebe & Jay, an animated PBS Kids series premiering this month, aims to foster and improve early literacy skills in children ages three to five. Co-created and co–executive-produced by Genie Deez and Thy Than, the series and its accompanying digital games were developed and produced with funding from Ready To Learn, the Department of Education program supporting early childhood education. Read more about the show here and access Phoebe & Jay episodes at PBS Kids here.

In classrooms where students are expected to collaborate, repeatedly try difficult things, and grow, the ability to give and receive feedback is a foundational skill that remains surprisingly underdeveloped. When we intentionally build a student’s capacity to hear difficult truths and respond with reflection, we are doing much more than teaching communication. We are equipping them with the tools of self regulation, confidence, and long-term resilience. Read more from Edutopia.

This four-part documentary series from PBS explores the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans. Drawn together by shared experiences of racism and antisemitism, these communities forged civic and cultural bonds, particularly during the civil rights era. The series examines both the challenges and enduring promise of this alliance.

CRAFT is a collaboration with the Graduate School of Education and Institute for Human-Centered AI. CRAFT is a collection of co-designed free AI Literacy resources about AI for high school teachers, to help students explore, understand, question, and critique AI. CRAFT intentionally pursues a multidisciplinary approach so educators with a variety of discipline backgrounds can teach about AI.

This website hosts a continuously growing collection of free and adaptable instructional resources to facilitate instruction within the nooks and crannies of your teaching. You can integrate a small activity or tool, or follow a multi-day series of lessons.

Hatfield Futures invites teams of high-school students from across Oregon to envision Oregon’s future and generate proposals to address important social, environmental, and economic issues. During a week-long summer camp (July 5 - 11, 2026) at Portland State University, teams will collaborate to craft their visions and proposals and then present to community leaders, elected officials, and other members of the community at the Hatfield Futures Showcase. The 2026 Showcase will take place on July 11, 2026. All lodging and food costs are covered and students will receive $250 stipends for participating. Travel assistance is available. The deadline to apply is Sunday, March 1.

The program is looking for volunteers, program sponsors, and partners. Please email Nina Pamintuan at ninapami@pdx.edu if you are interested in supporting these inspiring students and joining them in shaping the future.

Schoolhouse was founded in 2020 by Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy. It began as a simple idea during the pandemic: students can support one another in powerful ways when given the opportunity. Today, Schoolhouse is the world’s largest platform for free, live, peer-to-peer tutoring. Across more than 460,000 tutoring sessions to date, students join Zoom calls to ask questions, work through challenges together, and build confidence in a supportive environment. Topics include SAT tutoring, college admissions workshops, and homework help.

February 13 - March 13

• Open to ALL graduating GAPS seniors who plan to attend any accredited college, university, or trade school.
• One inclusive application works for over 100 scholarships.
• Includes all majors, GPAs, and backgrounds.

BILINGUAL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION SESSION

Thursday, February 19th, 5:30 p.m.

Calapooia Middle School -- All GAPS seniors and parents welcome to attend!

Presentation will be given in both English and Spanish.

• Hands-on Science Activities
• Real World Videos for Financial Literacy Skills
• Free SAT® Tutoring

Civic identity refers to a person’s understanding of who they are in their communities and society and how they choose to participate to improve the world around them. This four-lesson unit from Facing History is designed to introduce students to the concept of civic identity. Through a series of activities that scaffold their understanding, students reflect on their personal identities and lived experiences, evaluate their civic identities both online and in the physical world, envision the difference they want to make in their communities, and recognize their own potential as civic actors.

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