The Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education program is proud to offer its NIE teachers the following creative learning guides. All come in classroom sets of 30 copies unless otherwise noted.
To order any of the educational publications on this page, e-mail ordernie@tampabay.com. Please include your name, name and address of your school, the grade that you teach and phone number.
At the Crossroads of Freedom & Equality: Florida's Journey from Separate toward Equal (MS)
Discrimination is defined as the unfair treatment of a person, racial group or minority based on prejudice. Decades of not treating people with equality and respect spawned the civil rights movement. The Civil War ended in 1865. Yet it took black Americans many decades and a long difficult fight to get what Abraham Lincoln had intended them to have: equality. This supplement, created in partnership with the Altrusa International of Tampa Bay Wilma B. Hogan Foundation, the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation and the Florida Humanities Council, explores the larger issues of intolerance, prejudice, racism and stereotyping in the context of Tampa Bay's past and present.
► Click here to download the publication
► Click here to visit the web portal.
► Click here for the Living History - Harlem Academy Times multimedia report
► Click here to download the pre survey.
► Click here to download the post survey.
Ancient Egypt: Art & Magic: Treasures from the Fondation Gandur Pour L'Art (MS)
This full-color teaching poster focuses on Ancient Egypt: Art and Magic: Treasures from the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art. This supplement, created in partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, focuses on the exhibit of the same name that will be featured at the museum from December 17, 2011 through April 29, 2012. The activities and information provide a cross-curricular look at art and its relationship to history, science and Language Arts.
Art in Transition: Albrecht Durer's Renaissance Art (EMS)
This teaching poster, focused on German artist Albrecht Durer, is filled with educational activities students can try at school or at home. This project was created in partnership with the Fine Arts Museum of St. Petersburg.
Be Tobacco Free (MS)
Over the past few decades, tobacco use among young people has been declining. However, far too many young people are still using tobacco. Today, more than 600,000 middle school students and 3 million high school students smoke cigarettes. Be Tobacco Free presents the facts and explodes the myths about tobacco; explains how Big Tobacco uses marketing to target young people; and suggests strategies for avoiding or quitting tobacco use. Be Tobacco Free was produced in partnership with the Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center, the Hillsborough County Anti Drug Alliance, the Pasco County Health Department and the Pinellas County Health Department.
Boomerang Bully (EM)
In the words of student writers, this fictional serial story is based on the all-too-real existence of bullying. The story, which first appeared in the Times , is a springboard for discussion about respect and self-esteem and similar topics, and is reprinted with writing activities. Curriculum developed by the Pinellas County SDFS office is available in all counties served by the Times.
Breaking the Cycle of Teen Dating Abuse (MS)
Dating violence is a serious problem in the United States. One in four adolescents reports verbal, physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating partner each year. Dating violence has substantial negative effects on the mental and physical health of young people, as well as on their school performance. This supplement, created in partnership with the Verizon Foundation, ABC Action News and six regional domestic violence agencies, focuses on helping preteens and teens gain the knowledge and learn the skills they need to form positive, healthy relationships and protect themselves online and offline.
► Click here to download the publication
► Click here to download the pre/post survey
Bully-Free HC (MS)
An estimated 77 percent of all students have been the victim of bullying. In partnership with the Hillsborough County Office of Criminal Justice and Crime Stoppers, this bilingual English/Spanish middle/high school publication focuses on bullying prevention and conflict resolution. By educating students, parents and teachers, our nation as a whole has a better chance of fighting against these rising statistics.
Celebrate Freedom (S)
What would Thomas Jefferson say if he could see the United States today? How about Martin Luther King, Jr.? In partnership with the James Madison Institute and Florida Press Educational Services, this high-school publication examines a key passage from the Declaration of Independence. By combining informative facts and pictures of past history, science-related inventions and literature alike, this curriculum supplement is an informative and fun way to teach students.
►Click here to download the publication
►Download the teacher feedback survey
Coasters 101 (MS)
Your pulse quickens, your stomach churns, your eyes water, your heart rate increases, you lose all sense of time and space. You cannot tell which way is up, down or sideways. The effect of riding roller coasters is tremendous. This Coasters 101 educational poster, created in partnership with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, explains what causes your sense of unbalance and excitement on a roller coaster. This poster will teach you all about physics.
Commitment to Conservation: How can you make a difference? (EM)
One of the primary objectives of Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is to play an active role in conservation and environmental issues affecting animals and habitats throughout Florida and around the world. In this full-color educational poster, you will see endangered and threatened animal species from three areas: Africa, the fragile rainforest of Southeast Asia and Florida. Students will learn about why the survival of these animals is in danger and how students can help make a difference in the future of these animals.
The Dali Times (EMS)
Looking for a new way to get your students thinking outside the box? Then introduce them to the Surrealist genius, Salvador Dali! No matter what subject or grade you teach, The Dali Times is a great supplemental text to use in your classroom. Use it to learn more about Dali's life, his art and his special connection with Florida. Classroom activities include a wide range of language arts and vocabulary exercises, using symbols, finding polygons, map reading, Spanish culture, and a special pull out section students can use to create their own newspaper.
Dirt to Plate (MS)
One of the best ways to get healthy and stay healthy is to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals. This publication, created in partnership with All Children's Hospital and Kohl's Cares, offers teens and families lots of great information on fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs; tips for starting your own garden, large or small; delicious recipes and cooking secrets; nutrition and food safety facts; and more.
Dream Big! Choose Wisely!
The youth of Pasco County face many challenges as they grow into adulthood, and the statistics related to underage drinking, prescription drug abuse, gangs, bullying and cyber bullying can be overwhelming. In this NIE publication, we hope you will learn what the community is doing to keep Pasco County a safe place for families and how you can help. This project was created in partnership with the Pasco County's Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP), Pasco Sheriff's Office and the District School Board of Pasco County.
Election 2012 (EMS)
The Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education program, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Times, Politifact, The Gus A. Stavros Center for Free Enterprise and Economic Education at the University of South Florida, University of South Florida College of Education and the Collins Center for Public Policy, is proud to host this web portal dedicated to helping teachers and students understand the electoral process and the 2012 elections.
►Online version only, click here
► "Election gives real-life lesson" article
Everglades
The Florida Everglades was once a vibrant, free-flowing wetland, known as the River of Grass. It covered 4,000 square miles in Central and South Florida, stretching from the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes to Florida Bay. Over the last century, drainage and development reduced the Everglades to half its size. Take a Journey through the Everglades in the pages of this NIE tab.
Experience New Media (MS)
This teaching poster focuses on visual art in Tampa created by photography, digital enhancement, and video, all with the general theme of light and technology. Included are activities that can be done at school or at home, highlights of Lights On Tampa artists, and a guided map to new art installations in Tampa's downtown. This project was created in partnership with Lights On Tampa 2011, the City of Tampa, and MetLife.
FCAT Chronicles (EMS)
With a touch of graphic novel and the comics pages combined, The FCAT Chronicles provides newspaper activities for use in the classroom and at home that have been designed to increase student achievement and FCAT performance. This guide contains booster activities, newspaper- activities, and tips and strategies for teachers and parents on how to help their children succeed in the classroom and when taking high stakes tests. Note: not correlated to Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.
Find the Fun (MS)
Produced in partnership with Communities Putting Prevention to Work Pinellas, Find the Fun focuses on fun ways to foster health and well-being and prevent obesity by encouraging physical activity and healthy eating. The associated website, FindtheFunNow.com, is a free online tool for finding fun and healthy activities throughout Pinellas County.
Finding the Right Job for You (MS)
Students will discover how the Times can help them in their job searches.
Florida Home-Grown Authors (EM)
The Sunshine State boasts quite a crop of authors who have written good books. Includes author interviews and inspiration for young readers and writers. As an added bonus, each author feature introduces specific reading strategies and graphic organizers that increase reading comprehension.
Gangs 101: Busting the myths and revealing the consequences (MS)
Gang activity and bullying are prevalent on high school campuses throughout Florida. Students are faced with intimidation, violence, and fear from gang members, and need the skills to make educated choices in those situations. This curriculum was created in partnership with the Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County, and Crime Stoppers.
This publication is not available in print.
► Complete supplement as PDF
Go Green (M)
Complete Sixth Grade Sustainability Curriculum: Publix Super Markets, Inc. has joined efforts with FPES (Florida Press Educational Services) to bring this program to sixth grade students. This FREE NIE Program will show your sixth grade students how to become responsible members of the planet, and to respect all of the resources that it has to offer.
► Click here to download the publication
► Click here to download the teacher's guide
Gorillas in our midst (MS)
Studying the great apes of Africa is easy in the Tampa Bay area, thanks to the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper in Education program and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Bolingo is no longer a baby gorilla, and with this second edition of "Gorillas in our midst," you can learn about his first year of life, the anatomy of a gorilla and the importance of conservation of these wonderful mammals.
Go with the Flow (MS)
What will happen to our natural resources if we do not protect them? In partnership with Tampa Bay Water, this middle-school publication covers the water cycle, water conservation, and water protection. By using science and literature, this curriculum supplement helps to teach students the importance of taking care of our planet's natural environment for not only themselves but for future generations.
Healthy Habits 101 (EMS)
This NIE tabloid supplement focuses on getting fit and healthy. The lessons include information on reducing obesity and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through proper nutrition and exercise. This curriculum was created in partnership with MORE Health, Partners for Community Wellness, NUCCI Spine and Orthopedic Institute and Huntington Learning Center.
High Five 2012: The Integrated Language Arts and Journalism Curriculum (M) - PDF only
The NAA Foundation, with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, developed High Five in an effort to address concerns about student achievement. High Five provides an integrated, three-unit curriculum that includes reading, writing, journalism, grammar, linguistics and visual literacy. All materials are age-appropriate for middle-school students. The curriculum uses the daily newspaper as a textbook and information source. Each unit, aligned to Common Core State Standards, is designed to be used as a stand-alone piece.
► Click here to download unit A
► Click here to download unit B
► Click here to download unit C
Hillsborough County Drug Free (MS)
Drug use affects every sector of society, straining our economy and our healthcare and criminal justice systems and endangering the futures of young people. This bilingual supplement, created in partnership with the Hillsborough Prevention Collaborative, Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, provides information about the effects of drugs and alcohol so teens can make informed, positive, drug-free choices.
Imagine the Unimaginable (EMS)
This Tampa Bay Times NIE supplement explores the history of hate and genocide in the 20th century through the eyes of children. The first part of the publication focuses on the Holocaust, an event that can be deemed the greatest tragedy of the 20th century. More than 38-million people died in World War II; 11-million of those people died as a direct result of Nazi genocidal policy. The second part of this supplement explores other 20th and 21st century genocides around the world, such as in Ukraine, Armenia, Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda, Sudan and Darfur.
► Click here for the Auschwitz: Evil at play Times multimedia report
► Click here for the Darfur Times multimedia report
"It's About Time" (MS)
A child falls into a swimming pool. A bicycle and a car collide. A pedestrian is struck by a car. And a race against time and distance begins. A trauma patient's chances of survival increase dramatically if he or she receives care immediately following an injury. Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point recently received the designation as a Provisional Level II trauma center and has teamed up with the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education to teach young people how to be safe and avoid accidents before they happen.
It's All About the Benjamins (S)
This economics focused curriculum will educate students about Benjamin Franklin and Thrift Week through engaging activities, making it easy to incorporate into your lesson plans. The content includes memorable maxims about the importance of thrift, riveting stories that illustrate key economic concepts and provocative questions to debate and discuss. This publication was created in partnership with the James Madison Institute and Florida Press Educational Services.
It's Good to be a Good Person (MS)
This challenging character education publication explores key values and shows how they can be learned through different subject areas.
Jungala (EM)
With a nearly 50-year history of caring for animals and the environment, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has created the park's newest adventure: an exotic jungle where discovery and exploration invite guests to connect with the world around them. You can learn about these endangered animals and the excitement of Jungala in this full-color teaching poster.
Largo Going Green (EMS)
The city of Largo has earned Silver-level Green Local Government certification for its commitment to green practices and sustainability. Learn about their recycling facilities, programs and events in this 16-page tabloid publication. This publication was created in partnership with the city of Largo recycling department.
LEGOLAND (E)
This poster, targeted to second and third grade students, features STEM-focused curriculum, centered on LEGOLAND® Florida's eight educational programs. This full-color teaching poster is being provided to you courtesy of LEGOLAND® Florida, and the Newspaper in Education programs of the Tampa Bay Times and Orlando Sentinel.
Lights, Camera, Dalí! (MS)
Surrealist tools and techniques to use with new arts, new media and the St. Petersburg Times make a perfect match. This Times NIE tabloid publication is designed to help students learn about the different genres and styles used in making films and how real-life stories from the St Petersburg Times can inspire art and film ideas. They also will learn how the tools and techniques used to create art, literature and film are related and how new media and technology are changing the process. This project was created in partnership with the Dali Museum.
Like it. Live it. Love it. LiveFree! (MS)
Bullying, gang violence or substance abuse can be an obstacle to learning and can contribute to a climate of fear and intimidation. Students deserve to be educated in an environment that is both physically and emotionally safe. This Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education publication, focusing on substance abuse prevention, bullying prevention, and conflict resolution, was created in partnership with LiveFree! Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Pinellas County, Operation Par and Pinellas County Schools.
Manta (EMS)
Evolving from sharks approximately 200 million years ago, there are more than 50 million species of rays throughout the world. You can learn all about them in this teaching poster, created in partnership with SeaWorld. Take this opportunity, as you read through this NIE poster to learn all you can about animals, the habitats they call home and ways to protect and preserve.
Monet's London: (EMS-1)
In Jan., 2005, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg opened the much anticipated "Monet's London" exhibit, a remarkable collection of 150 works, including a dozen by French impressionist Claude Monet, focused on Industrial Age London and the Thames River. This beautiful color teaching poster is filled with educational activities students can try at school or at home.
Newspapers in Your Life (EMS) - PDF only
This curriculum, developed by the American Press Institute and the Newseum of Washington, DC, features six lessons focused on media literacy and aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Lesson plans incorporate existing Newseum resources into activities and student worksheets. Newspapers in Your Life is geared toward middle and high-school students, but includes extension activities for elementary students.
►Click here to download Newspapers in Your Life unit
►Click here to download In the Newsroom unit
►Click here to download Media Literacy unit
►Click here to download Standards Alignment Chart (for all units)
Operation: Nutrition. Think.Eat.Grow (E)
Healthy lifestyle choices are a crucial component to student success. This NIE publication brings important nutrition and fitness activities directly to elementary school classrooms, so that students may learn about daily caloric balance, physical activity, and healthy food choices. This curriculum was created in partnership with Publix Super Markets, Inc.
►Click here to download the publication
►Click here to download the publication flyer
►Download the teacher feedback survey
Past Forward Tampa Bay (MS)
Produced in partnership with AIA Tampa Bay, Past Forward Tampa Bay explores the diverse architecture, history and cultures of Tampa Bay. Among other interactive activities included in the publication is a map revealing the locations of AIA Tampa Bay's Tour of Tampa Bay Architecture, an innovative, self-guided multimedia walking tour that uses QR code technology to explore historic and notable architecture in Tampa Bay so that teachers, students and community members can discover the unique history of our community at their own pace. Past Forward Tampa Bay was supported by grants from the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
► Click here to download the publication
► AIA Tampa Bay Tour Tampa Bay Architecture site
Plugged In: News, views and issues that affect our lives every day (S)
"Addiction isn't fun. Addiction is lonely, terrifying and insidious." Throughout much of the last century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to drug abuse have changed dramatically. As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior. This educational publication, geared toward college students and adults of all ages, was created in partnership with DACCO.
► Click here to download the publication
► Click here for the If I Die Young Times multimedia report
► Click here for the RxOD: The prescription drug abuse crisis in Florida Times special report
► Click here for the Deadly Combinations Times multimedia report
Project Weather (E)
Weather is all around us. Did you know Americans live in the most severe weather-prone country on Earth? Learning about weather is easy in the Tampa Bay area, thanks to the Bay News 9 Weather Experts and the Times Newspaper in Education program. The Times NIE program, in partnership with Bay News 9, wants to give elementary school teachers a learning tool geared specifically to help their students have fun while learning about weather. The activities and information are focused on STEM and Language Arts standards.
Reading with the Rays 2013
Once again your Tampa Bay Rays have teamed up with the Tampa Bay Times NIE program to create a lineup of free summer reading fun. The goals of the Reading with the Rays: Read your way to the ballpark program are to encourage children to read more and to visit the library regularly before they return to school this fall. This tabloid publication has quotes from players, parent tips and lots of book lists. This year's spokesperson is Evan Longoria. For more information about this summer reading program, go to tampabay.com/nie/raysreading. Participating counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk.
Recycle Pasco! (EMS)
Pasco County students and residents, curb your recycling blues and learn all about the many ways you can protect our environment and conserve our natural resources with Recycle Pasco!, created in partnership with Pasco County and the District School Board of Pasco County. Recycle Pasco! also features the winners of the annual Pasco Art of Recycling event, a high school art competition promoting art and recycling through the use of recycled materials.
See. Wonder. Connect. A Journey through the Permanent Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg, Fl. (MS)
The Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg has an encyclopedic collection of art from around the globe and across the centuries, with 4,500 years of civilization represented by thousands of objects extending from antiquity to present. Integrating arts education across the curriculum helps students to develop critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills. This supplement, created in partnership with the Museum, uses a selection of artwork from across the Museum’s collections to provide a cross-curricular look at art and its relationship to history, science and Language Arts.
Sending out an SOS (Save Our Seas) (EM)
For the veterinarians and animal experts at SeaWorld, there is no "typical" day. From surgically removing a fish hook swallowed by a sea turtle to bottle-feeding an orphaned manatee to treating a sand hill crane's broken wing, the challenges -- and patients -- are many. Together, SeaWorld Orlando and its sister parks care for more than 65,000 animals. In this full-color educational poster, students will learn about some native Florida animals and what they can do to help protect them.
13: Life at the Edge of Everything (MS)
Following the lives of a half dozen seventh-grade students at Booker T. Washington Middle School in Tampa, "13" examines the private and public world of middle schoolers. We have reprinted this award-winning Times' series, with journaling space and writing prompts for students, classroom activities for teachers to try and resources for students, teachers and parents
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition (EM)
On April 15, 1912, RMS Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg, claiming more than 1,500 lives. For 73 years, Titanic was alone and lost in the North Atlantic. Since the wreck was discovered in 1985, RMS Titanic, Inc. has made eight expeditions to recover more than 5,500 objects. Produced in partnership with the Mahaffey Theater and RMS Titanic, Inc., this publication focuses on Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, which showcases the legendary ship's compelling human stories through more than 125 artifacts conserved from the ship's debris field. Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition will be featured at the Mahaffey Theater from October 6, 2012 through March 3, 2013.
A Voice 4Teens (MS)
Are you ready to get you and your family healthy and active? Inside this publication, teens and their families will find helpful information to get you started, including cooking and shopping tips, ideas for healthy snacks to keep you energized and helpful tips to keep you healthy. This publication was created in partnership with All Children's Hospital.
Whale Watching (EMS)
Did you know that killer whales are social animals that live in stable family-related groups? Killer whales are often compared to wolves because both species are top predators, maintain complex social relationships and hunt cooperatively. This teaching poster, created in partnership with SeaWorld, focuses on killer whale habits and biology.
The Write Stuff (MS)
Want your sentences to be scintillating, your descriptions delightful? Perfect your writing ability with these fun activities using the Times.
Zero to Cheetah (M)
Speed, power, spirit, agility ... cheetahs! The people at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens love to have fun. Caring or the animals in the parks and educating park guests are important jobs for the veterinarians and trainers. Learn all about the newest additions to the BG family, cheetahs, in this full color teaching poster. This poster was created in partnership with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Zoo Story (MS)
Originally printed over a series of Sundays in 2007, Zoo Story is a nine-part series that chronicles Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo through a period of massive expansion to become one of the best zoos in the country. Author Thomas French investigates the philosophy of a zoo, keeping captive endangered animals, and controversial breeding programs through life, death, and the paradox of freedom. This NIE publication includes lesson plans. Content alert: Some parents and teachers may find parts of Zoo Story too graphic for younger readers.
► Click here for the accompanying website for the Zoo Story program.
Additional resources
Lessons & Classroom Activities
- Cartoons for the Classroom
- Front Page Talking Points
- This Week in History
- News Video
- Daily Science Webcasts
- Geography in the News quiz
Resources by grade level