Shine a Light on Ground-breaking Female Inventors

| By Gale Staff | In 1867, Wladyslaw and Bronislawa Sklodowska welcomed their fifth child, a girl named Maria. Growing up in Poland, Maria was a motivated and curious student. However, despite excelling academically, she could not attend the all-male University of Warsaw. In her early 20s, Maria left Poland to enroll at the prestigious … Read more

Explore the Quirky History Behind Groundhog Day

February can be a tough month. The days are still short, the magic of the holidays has ebbed, and spring break feels miles away. If you’re in need of a fun lesson plan to shake things up, look no further than Groundhog Day! With Gale In Context: Elementary, the lesson plan is easy to pull … Read more

Share the Stories of Pioneering Black Scientists

What would the world be like without GPS navigation, satellites, biochemical engineering, and telephone wires? All of these innovations, and countless others, stem from the brilliance of black scientists who dared to ask, “What if?” In celebration of Black History Month, we’ve curated a list of 10 pioneering black scientists using the profiles, periodicals, and … Read more

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

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

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