Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
4 Tools for Teaching with Poetry
Facing History invites educators to weave poetry into classroom instruction using four of our teaching resources to shed light on historical and contemporary experiences and to help students process their own identities and emotions.
![Wood lettered poetry graphic.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Untitled%20design%20%2834%29.png?h=a6c55029&itok=ynpvxtcP)
Why Genocide Recognition Matters
Facing History Sr. Director of Marketing & Analytics Jen Langley reflects on her personal connection to the Armenian Genocide.
![Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: The Genocide of The Armenians cover.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/CAHCGOA.jpeg?h=c58b31e4&itok=04yJPKcV)
How to Build an Affirming Classroom in the Face of Anti-Trans Legislation
In response to the rise of legislation targeting transgender people, Facing History provides resources for educators to build an affirming, welcoming class community for your students, especially trans and non-binary students.
![Pink and blue chalk with transgender symbol stock photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/iStock-847839366.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=0Ge59Obs)
5 Timely Reads on Genocide
In response to the outpouring of discussion and debate following President Biden’s statement that Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine constitutes genocide, Facing History provides five reads to address crucial questions educators and their students may be asking.
![Bouquet of flowers wrapped in purple fabric placed on monument.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Untitled%20design%20%2831%29.png?h=a6c55029&itok=xECBucxP)
5 Tools for Teaching About Genocide
Facing History grants educators the opportunity to take advantage of five virtual tours, exhibitions, and professional development resources to navigate the challenges that arise when teaching about genocide.
![Definition of genocide stock photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/iStock-1082625266.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=m-S9-c2_)
6 New Books on Genocide
Facing History identifies six books that elevate understudied aspects of multiple historical genocides and the connections between them to aid efforts of genocide prevention within a global climate of rising hate.
![Cropped Messengers of Disaster: Raphael Lemkin, Jan Karski, and Twentieth Century Genocides book cover.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/messengersofdisaster_large.jpeg?h=3e076d8c&itok=mTbBqYhr)
On Existing: A Personal Reflection
Facing History staff takes a moment to reflect on personal experiences of being a minority amidst a climate of hate and the ability to use reading as a tool for discovering oneself.
![Photo from trans rights march.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/transreflection.jpeg?h=c6980913&itok=xFqakjYv)
A Brief History of Barbie: From Fashion Model to Ida B. Wells
The introduction of the Ida B. Wells Barbie as part of the Women Series of Barbies marks an opportunity to gain meaningful insight into changing conceptions of gender, race, and education through the emergence and evolution of Barbie.
![Ida B. Wells barbie in court.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/idwbarbie_large.jpeg?h=e188ef2c&itok=DaKAijbC)
3 Women Pioneers in Education
Facing History explores three women pioneers whose legacies continue to shape the contemporary educational landscape.
![Margaret Haley, Maria Montessori, and Mary McLeod Bethune.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/WomenEdPioneers.jpeg?h=77a1d1cf&itok=pkog83Y2)
Contracting and Re-Contracting in the New Year
Elizabeth Carroll, New England Program Director at Facing History, explores the value of contracting and re-contracting in January each year.
![Photo of students smiling in class with a teacher](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/students_smiling_class_teacher_photo.png?h=a6c55029&itok=m-jGZ2IZ)
More Than Monsters: The Deeper Significance of Wendigo Stories
The wendigo stories of Algonquian peoples offer a window into the endurance of cultural resources used to transmit significant moral values, and underscore the power of Native people using these stories to engage in social critique.
![Deer antlers cage a child, burying their face in their hands in fear.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Antlers_2021_poster.jpeg?h=aff6c105&itok=7m2YY2cJ)