See what we're up to! Stay up-to-date with new ways to use our films, series, and resources
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation
November 2024
Dear Life Stories Learning Community:
As this year comes to a close, we want to express our gratitude for the opportunity to continue preserving, telling, and teaching stories about our shared humanity in an increasingly complex world.
We hope this excerpt from Darren Walker’s episode of The Thread provides a source of strength and hope during this holiday season.
In this newsletter...
A Democracy Minute Reaches Thousands
A New Resource: The Collections
An Anthem Award for The Thread
Life Stories at NCTE
Interviewees Featured in Season 2 of The Thread
October 2024
Season Two of The Thread
The Thread is back! Season Two of our flagship documentary interview series premieres with James Cromwell, one of film and television’s most respected actors and activists. Watch the full episode here, and stay tuned for the next 15 episodes every Monday on the Life Stories YouTube channel.
In this newsletter...
The Silent Witness wins an Emmy
Celebrating Democracy with Life Stories Learning
Sherrilyn Ifill, Lawyer and the Vernon E. Jordan, Jr.
Esq. Endowed Chair in Civil Rights at Howard University
August - September 2024
A Democracy Minute
In the lead up to the Presidential Election this November, Life Stories Learning is launching a new initiative -- A Democracy Minute. Premiering every Thursday from September 12 - November 21 on Instagram and the Life Stories Learning Resource page, these 60-second interview excerpts remind us of diverse points of view on democratic values, principles, and ideals from American thought leaders.
In this newsletter...
A Democracy Minute - Sherrilyn Ifill on Patriotism
Looking Forward
June - July 2024
Today we are thrilled to announce the launch of a new Life Stories Learning partnership with 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the country! The 826 Network provides K–12 students in under-resourced communities with high-quality writing and publishing programs through its local chapters and its online platform 826 Digital, reaching hundreds of thousands of students from all fifty states and sixty countries.
In this newsletter...
826 Lessons: Write With… Life Stories
The Silent Witness Emmy Nomination
New Release: David Brooks Interview
The Thread Season One Recap
In this latest installment of The Thread, we learn from
Reginald Dwayne Betts, Tony Hawk, Darren Walker, and Katie Couric
May 2024
A meaningful exercise at the close of the school year is to have students reflect on their personal and intellectual growth through the lens of another’s life story. This month, The Thread episodes are woven together by the theme of facing adversity.
Each of these stories of resilience, vulnerability, and courage can spark meaningful discussion and writing exercises. The corresponding lessons in Teaching The Thread will show you how.
In this newsletter...
Listening Deeply: This Month in The Thread
Reflecting on Memorial Day: John McCain
Looking Forward
The late John Lewis was 14 when the U.S. Supreme Court
issued a decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas.
April 2024
Commemorate the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board by watching Life Stories’ documentary short John Lewis: His Last March and watch the first few minutes of our interview with Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative.
In this newsletter...
Brown v. Board at 70
Spotlight: Honoring the Work of Faith Ringgold
The Thread: Listen to April's Storytellers
Looking Forward
The Thread is a great way to have your students engage in “The Art of the Interview” exercise
and engage in close reading and meaningful reflective writing. Make sure to access the unique lessons for each episode!
March 2024
Life Stories Learning is changing how stories are preserved, shared, and used in education. Our documentary films, interviews, and companion resources enable anyone the opportunity to gain new insights on their life and their world from the people and events who have inspired meaningful change.
We are so excited by the first 4 episodes of The Thread. Each 30-minute episode is a personal journey into the life of an extraordinary individual who explores their passions and purpose and shares the path they have taken to lead a meaningful life.
In this newsletter...
Spotlight: The Thread
From the Field
Looking Forward