Add Some Sparkle to Christmas-Themed Lesson Plans

| By Gale Staff | With the winter break fast approaching, elementary teachers are undoubtedly preparing light-hearted, holiday-themed activities. Among other popular holidays such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice, Christmas is one of the most widely observed holidays in the United States, with around 93% of Americans celebrating it in some fashion. Your … Read more

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

| By Barbara Wexler, MPH | Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder, a type of depression that usually occurs during specific seasons, most often beginning in late fall or winter as the days get shorter and there’s less daylight. It sometimes coincides with the time change from daylight saving time to standard time, … Read more

Head to the Movies with Gale In Context

| By Carol Brennan | This December promises to be an exciting one for moviegoers of all ages, and Gale In Context: Biography is a tremendous resource for discovering more about the stars and creative professionals behind some notable releases. The animated feature Moana 2 hit theaters in late November 2024, just in time for … Read more

Honor the Abolition Movement’s Ongoing Legacy

| By Gale Staff | Slavery is a dark chapter in American history. The Atlantic slave trade forced an estimated 12.5 million West Africans into enslavement—and from that number, an estimated 2 million died during the Atlantic crossing. The U.S. government considered these men and women to be the personal property of their owners. In … Read more

How Community Colleges Can Help Students Earn Bachelor’s Degrees

| By Gale Staff | Community colleges offer essential pathways for students of all backgrounds to achieve their educational goals, whether they hope to earn a certificate or their associate’s degree, or transfer to a four-year school. Of all community college students, 80% intend to transfer to a university. According to The Chronicle of Higher … Read more

Share Valentine’s Day Around the World

| By Gale Staff | Americans love Valentine’s Day. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent more than $25 billion on the holiday in 2024. That’s a lot of chocolate! That same year, Target’s limited-edition Valentine’s Day–themed tumblers sparked retail chaos, reselling online for almost $250 each. Beyond the flowers, cards, and candlelit dinners, … Read more

Meet Elizabeth Blackwell, America’s First Female Doctor

| By Gale Staff | Representation is a powerful tool for your elementary students’ social and emotional development. But all too often, students lack real-world role models who look like them or relate to their experiences. By highlighting individuals who broke through social, racial, or gender barriers, you can inspire young thinkers to push back … Read more

Celebrate Global Accomplishments on Nobel Prize Day

| By Gale Staff | Every educator takes great pride in inspiring students to greatness. Celebrating human achievement as a class is a powerful way to help students bond and believe that they too are capable of aspiring to great heights. Each year on December 10, we honor Nobel Prize Day to commemorate the anniversary … Read more

Dig Into The Independent’s December Headlines With Gale Primary Sources

Advances in digital archiving have redefined academic research, granting instant access to original, primary source materials that would otherwise require a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to locate. Through Gale Primary Sources, historical newspapers and periodicals are preserved in detailed, searchable formats, giving researchers unprecedented insight into historical events and cultural developments through … Read more