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.
“I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till
This six-lesson unit delves into the history and legacy of the murder of Emmett Till, considering what we can learn from it as we work to achieve racial justice.
![This six-episode documentary from PBS chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinx people in the United States.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/Getty-1249493023.jpg?h=a8856264&itok=ShMUJy1Y)
Americans and the Holocaust: The Refugee Crisis
Explore the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism and the humanitarian refugee crisis it provoked during the 1930s and 1940s.
![A crowd of American men and women hold signs protesting Nazi Germany's actions.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/AP_3811161102_Medium_res.jpg?h=00d1719e&itok=OsmUgwd2)
Facing Ferguson: News Literacy in a Digital Age
Help students become informed and effective civic participants in today's digital landscape. This unit is designed to develop students' critical thinking, news literacy, civic engagement, and social-emotional skills and competencies.
![Peaceful protestor speaks to police officer in Ferguson.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/2016_PoliceOfficerinFerguson_FH231304.jpg?h=f3a37c6e&itok=IhwjQkzh)
The Reconstruction Era 3-Week Unit
Teach a 3-week study of the Reconstruction era guided by the essential question "What can we learn from the history of Reconstruction as we work to strengthen democracy today?"
![Portrait of a family](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/service-pnp-ppmsc-00000-00057v_0.jpg?h=fba49d59&itok=n7irMmx4)
10 Questions for Young Changemakers
This unit uses the 10 Questions Framework to explore two examples of youth activism: the 1963 Chicago schools boycott and the present-day movement against gun violence launched by Parkland students.
![Facing History and Ourselves Bullying Summit September 29th 2012 in Los Angeles CA](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2012_131BullySummit2012LA131_FH116219.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=xP9VrdoO)
Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War
These lesson plans use the Ken Burns’ documentary "Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War" to explore what motivated Waitstill and Martha Sharp to help refugees.
![Picture of Martha and Waitstill Sharp](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Defying_the_Nazis_banner_new_for_Web_or_Office_Use.jpg?h=96b73c84&itok=SAlIA7T0)
Stranger at the Gate Viewing Guide
Bring the short documentary film Stranger at the Gate into your classroom with the streaming video and companion guide of discussion questions and activities.
![Stranger at the Gate press image Smartypants.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-04/Stranger-085.jpg?h=f54bfa0f&itok=6HJSEUAP)
ELA Unit Planning Guide
This guide provides the framework and classroom resources to help you design an English Language Arts unit for middle or high school students centered around a book of your choosing.
![Three educators smile while sitting together working.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/Facing-History_SJLA_015_edit.jpg?h=c7420dc8&itok=PlL1FQ9c)
Centering Student Voice and Choice: A Book Club Guide
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Implement book clubs that build community and help students make meaningful connections to books they are excited to read.
![A close up of shelves in a school library filled with books of different sizes and colors.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/2017_library_FH256446.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=kS59ZPo5)
Teaching Brown Girl Dreaming
Teach a unit on Jacqueline Woodson's coming-of-age memoir in verse that invites students to reflect on their own experiences and identities.
![A girl leans against a wall while reading a book.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/iStock-1209693972.jpg?h=7bbcb45e&itok=b5N9XQ_7)
“This I Believe . . .” Personal Narrative
Use or adapt this coming-of-age unit assessment, which invites students to join thousands of others from across the globe in sharing their beliefs and values in short written and recorded statements.
![A student writes at their desk.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Chicago_Student_Writing_2019_%20FH2101601.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=CxcPJc2-)