Resource Library
Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.
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.
What Is Belonging? | Introductory Lesson
This lesson introduces students to the concept of belonging and the many factors that can shape one’s sense of belonging in the world.
![Students in a classroom at Solorio Academy](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/SL_190522_0617.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=F7woqbSk)
How Do Borders Shape Belonging? | Introductory Lesson
In this lesson, students will expand their understanding of borders and consider the ways in which borders can impact how individuals and groups experience belonging in the world.
![Two students in conversation while looking down at a laptop computer.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_ClassroomImage_2017_FH256365.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=w8q-uOp9)
What Does It Mean to Come of Age? | Introductory Lesson
Students build a schema for the resources they’ll encounter in the Coming of Age collection by exploring what it means to “come of age” in the world today.
![Group of students writing on large piece of chart paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/LosAngeles_BigPaperActivityTeachingStrategy_NametagsRemoved_FH287345.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=xUHLWrBJ)
What Is “Normal”?
Through quote and poetry analysis, students will consider the ways in which our desire to fit in can impact our identities and the choices we make.
![A student writes on a piece of paper in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Chicago_PhotoShoot_2019_FH2101686.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=Uq9yiZlO)
How Do Others See Me?
Students will define key concepts and discuss the impact that labels, assumptions, and stereotypes have on their identity development.
![3 students at table](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-10/FHAO_2019_Summit_060.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=iSw_ewUp)
Feeling Seen: A Matter of Perspective
Students will engage in perspective-taking activities to consider what it means to belong and how experiences and interactions with others can shape our identities.
![Two students working together and looking at classwork](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101643.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=jYPbg96b)
Finding Belonging in the World
Students create “pearls of wisdom” and consider the value of forming relationships that help us feel seen and secure in our sense of belonging.
![Two female students, one with a hijab, sit in classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-10/Los_Angeles_Classroom_2019_FH2109022.jpg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=jx8afuzO)
Making Myself Proud
Students will read and analyze a poem that focuses on what it means to practice celebrating identity, both by loving who you are and by imagining who you can be.
![Engaged uniformed male student engages in classroom discussion.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/United_Kingdom_Classroom_2015_FH137564.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=nDB-eMLS)
Exploring Identity and Belonging through Poetry
Students prepare a choral reading of a poem about the costs and benefits of fitting in versus standing out in order to introduce the unit’s central topic of belonging.
![Students in classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/FHAO_2019_Summit_044.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=D_qa0YXt)
Identifying and Affirming Core Values
This values-affirmation exercise helps students identify their core values and reflect on how these values impact their sense of belonging.
![Amanda Gorman on stage at the 2021 InStyle Awards At The Getty Center](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/GettyImages-1353568867.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=UxlskjKf)
Fitting In Versus Belonging
Students examine the difference between belonging and fitting in and the ways in which we may sacrifice our values in order to seek acceptance from others.
![A green chameloen poses in green grass](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/pexels-nandhu-kumar-312826.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=Z0IZp6Va)