Teacher's Homeless Student Action Center

The Homeless Family and School

Homeless Students Resources on the Web

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These organizations focus on homeless family issues. The first two of these important elementary teacher websites are specifically oriented toward the needs of homeless students, while the others are a bit broader in scope, bringing attention to all issues surrounding homeless families.

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth

NAECHY provides critical resources and guidance for professionals who are implementing the the provisions of the McKinney-Vento law. They also provide awareness resources, including posters and training support. The NAECHY's annual conference is the only one in the country dedicated to improving the education and well-being of homeless children and youth.

National Center for Homeless Education

NCHE is the U.S. Department of Education's technical assistance and information center in the area of homeless education. Aside from a variety of training and awareness resources, they provide links to all federal issues and programs impacting homeless students. Their list of state coordinators can set you on the path to discovering your local resources. They also staff a telephone hotline.

First Focus

First Focus is a bipartisan advocacy organization dedicated to making children and families a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For teachers who follow national politics, this resource makes a great bookmark in your list of elementary school websites.

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

The National Law Center is an organization of lawyers working to end homelessness. The vulnerable homeless population often lack the means to advocate on their own behalf for federally guaranteed benefits and accommodations. This group provides the legal resources necessary to bring an end to the homeless family in America.

The National Center on Family Homelessness

The National Center on Family Homelessness provides a comprehensive website that raises awareness of the impact of homelessness on child development and school success...as well as many other issues surrounding the rising number of homeless parents and children. It was originally started with the leadership of the Better Homes and Gardens magazine, which used its influence to eventually form the national center.

HEAR US

HEAR US is a unique, effective national nonprofit organization dedicated to giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. They provide resources to help homeless young people become effective spokespersons, as well as information to foster understanding of homeless families. See their site for informative videos.

These elementary education websites cover activities and ideas for teaching tolerance and gender equity in the classroom. Strengthening your classroom community is critical for effective student learning; these sites provide solid ideas for breaking down barriers.

Teaching Tolerance

Teaching Tolerance is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. On their site you'll find a specific pages for grades 1 - 2, grades 3 to 5 and grades 6 to 8

Education World

Education World stands out among elementary school websites for its teaching tolerance lesson plans. This page contains a full range of classroom activities, broken down by grade levels.

The Center for Social and Character Development

Rutgers University hosts this website. It is well-organized and provides a full range activities and lesson plans for use in the classroom. It also provides resources for assessment and parent support.

Diversity Council

From the Diversity Council site header: "We educate people to embrace diversity as a foundation for building a healthy, prosperous and inclusive community." Their lessons and activities include a focus on bullying...a critical area to monitor for the health of any classroom or elementary school community.