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.
Bio-poem: Connecting Identity and Poetry
Students clarify aspects of their identity or the identity of a historical or literary figure by writing poems that focus on deeper elements of personal makeup like experiences, relationships, hopes, and interests.
Character Charts
Provide students with a graphic tool to record and organize information about characters in a text.
Character Maps
Help students engage with a fictional or historical character by creating an annotated illustration.
![A drawing of a girl with her name Serena Bialkin at the top and characteristics written around her.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-10/NewEngland_Classroom_2016_FH2196687.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=4WD7IxwL)
Character Maps (UK)
Help students engage with a fictional or historical character by creating an annotated illustration.
![A drawing of a girl with her name Serena Bialkin at the top and characteristics written around her.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-10/NewEngland_Classroom_2016_FH2196687.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=4WD7IxwL)
Chunking
Chunking helps students approach challenging texts by breaking down content into manageable pieces.
![Student Reading on Computer](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_FH152832.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=lCtrTIHx)
Close Reading Protocol
Ensure students’ reading comprehension by emphasizing a purposeful reading and rereading of a text.
![Students in classroom reading books](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_Classroom_2014_FH130915.jpg?h=0d27ee61&itok=NTA-6ban)
Sketch to Stretch
Ask students to visualize a passage of text and interpret it through drawing with this reading comprehension strategy.
![Two female students write at their desks.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101676_0.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=9JMqwQ5G)
Connect, Extend, Challenge
Deepen students' understanding of a topic by having them connect to their prior knowledge.
![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)
Connect, Extend, Challenge (UK)
Deepen students' understanding of a topic by having them connect to their prior knowledge.
![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)
Head, Heart, Conscience
This strategy uses reflection prompts to help students consider a complex or emotional topic through the lenses of head, heart, and ethics.
![Student writes in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_FH152732.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=vql3K3i_)
Toolbox for Care
This teaching strategy invites students to think about the “tools” they have access to that can help them take care of themselves and their community in the wake of traumatic news.
![A student in a grey sweatshirt looks down at a paper with a pencil in hand.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/LA_ClassroomImage_2018_FH287141.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=N4wCjNyS)