Resource Library
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We are grateful to The Hammer Family Foundation for supporting the development of our on-demand learning and teaching resources.
![A group of high school students sit at desks in conversation.](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_480/public/2023-10/AdobeStock_254378868.jpg?itok=f6YAphey)
Introducing Our US History Curriculum Collection
Draw from this flexible curriculum collection as you plan any middle or high school US history course. Featuring units, C3-style inquiries, and case studies, the collection will help you explore themes of democracy and freedom with your students throughout the year.
Introducing the Writing Prompt
In step 1 of the unit assessment, students develop an initial position for an argumentative essay in response to a question about the importance and impact of choices in history.
![Students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101328.jpg?h=0f4230fa&itok=jx_VbaVP)
Understanding Universe of Obligation
Students are introduced to the concept of "universe of obligation" and prompted to illustrate circle of individuals who they feel a responsibility to care for and protect.
![Picture of universe of obligation drawn on a chalkboard.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/universe%20of%20obligation_2.jpg?h=c202cbf9&itok=OOQP5hk9)
Introducing Evidence Logs
In step 2 of the unit assessment, students start to gather evidence from historical sources that supports or challenges their initial thinking about the writing prompt.
![Two female students writing at their desk.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Two%20female%20students%20writing.jpg?h=b1a91ebe&itok=nXCXJ4i9)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 1 of 3
In step 3 of the unit assessment, students address the writing prompt in a journal reflection and start to evaluate the quality and relevance of the evidence they are gathering.
![Students writing on a paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/SL_190523_0789.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=u07iF1Je)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 2 of 3
In step 4 of the unit assessment, students review the documents and videos from Lessons 14-18 and consider which information supports, expands, or challenges their thinking about the writing prompt.
![Students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101681.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=pItuRsH2)
Adding to Evidence Logs, 3 of 3
In step 5 of the unit assessment, students reflect on the writing prompt in its entirety, add evidence from Lessons 19-21 to evidence logs, and engage in mini-debates about the writing topic.
![Students write at a table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101326.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=FdA96TZN)
Refining the Thesis and Finalizing Evidence Logs
In the final step of the unit assessment, students will think about unit as a whole as they answer the writing prompt and start to prepare to write a strong thesis statement for their essay.
The Complexity of Identity
Students explore the relationship between the individual and society by creating identity charts for a contemporary novelist, a children's book character, and themselves.
![Blurred crowd used to illustrate "individual and society" in Holocaust and Human Behavior.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/HHB_Chapter_1_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=oyKNRFjB)
Analyzing the Effects of World War I
Students use maps of the world before and after World War I to make inferences and predictions about the ways the war changed the world.
![Painting title Gassed by John Singer Sargent. Shows World War I soldiers with bandaged eyes being led by other soldiers. Many dead and injured soldiers laying at the base of the painting.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Ch3_Image05_Medium_res.jpg?h=fe25bc16&itok=_3yOA5E-)
Choices in Weimar Republic Elections
Students read fictional biographies of German citizens and make hypotheses about the citizens' voting choices in the Weimar elections.
![In addition to his depictions of World War I, Otto Dix was also known for his ruthless criticism of German society during the Weimar years.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Ch04_Image05_Medium_res.jpg?h=92903f94&itok=hFi7XgsO)
Confronting the Suffering Caused by the Nazis
Students use journaling and group discussion to respond to emotionally-challenging diary entries of a Jewish teenager confined in a Nazi ghetto.
![The Jewish population in Poland being "resettled" by German soldiers, circa 1940-41.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1940_ResettlingPolishJewsInGermany_%20FH229688.jpg?h=b82ee7a4&itok=ZTl0ABqr)