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.
Introducing The Unit
Students develop a contract establishing a reflective classroom community in preparation for their exploration of this unit's historical case study.
![Student writing in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/2017_5-1-17FacH08212_FH256618.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=c30_X9rN)
The Holocaust: The Range of Responses
Students deepen their examination of human behavior during the Holocaust by analyzing and discussing the range of choices available to individuals, groups, and nations.
![Hans Scholl, Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst in June 1942.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_2016_WhiteRoseResistanceGroup_FH229473.jpg?h=dfc3751c&itok=BjXT-amv)
Kristallnacht
Students learn about the violent pogroms of Kristallnacht by watching a short documentary and then reflecting on eyewitness testimonies.
![Image showing the destruction resulting from Kristallnacht.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Test223817_Original_Medium_res.jpg?h=c8d479ee&itok=g317b1wn)
Laws and the National Community
Students are introduced to the Nazis’ idea of a “national community” and examine how the Nazis used the Nuremberg Laws to define who belonged.
![In 1933, Jewish businessman Oskar Danker and his girlfriend, a Christian woman, were forced to carry signs discouraging Jewish-German integration. Intimate relationships between “true Germans” and Jews were outlawed by 1935.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_DiscouragingGermanJewishIntegration_FH229441.jpg?h=ad1846e1&itok=dfgQyzmm)
The Power of Propaganda
Students analyze several examples of Nazi propaganda and consider how the Nazis used media to influence the thoughts, feelings, and actions of individual Germans.
![An issue of the antisemitic propaganda newspaper Der Stürmer (The Attacker) is posted on the sidewalk in Worms, Germany, in 1935. The headline above the case says, ""The Jews Are Our Misfortune.""](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_2016_NaziPropagandaNewspaper_FH229452.jpg?h=fb0bd1b2&itok=WOgfci3M)
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.