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.
Mob Violence, Human Behavior, and the Capitol Insurrection
This mini-lesson on the Capitol insurrection invites students to reflect on how seemingly small choices made by individuals can contribute to larger acts of injustice and violence.
![January 6th 2021 Capitol Riot.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/RTX8KRI5_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=u6vuxxho)
Responding to the Synagogue Attack in Colleyville, Texas: For Jewish Educational Settings
This mini-lesson is designed to help guide an initial class discussion on the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville, Texas.
![Beth Israel Investigation, Colleyville, USA - 16 Jan 2022.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/12763264f_Medium_res.jpg?h=84b85dfb&itok=eFbT29r0)
Responding to the Synagogue Attack in Colleyville, Texas
This mini-lesson is designed to help guide an initial class discussion on the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel of Colleyville, Texas.
![Texas Synagogue Standoff.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/AP_22016488595087_Medium_res.jpg?h=800a4b5c&itok=7LJZ9lyL)
Hardship and Hope: Teaching Amanda Gorman’s “New Day’s Lyric”
This mini-lesson invites students to analyze Amanda Gorman’s poem “New Day’s Lyric” and create a class poem about hope and collective action during challenging times.
![Amanda Gorman at the 2021 InStyle Awards At The Getty Center](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/GettyImages-1353568867_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=kEYjOlqQ)
Teaching about the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
Use this mini-lesson to introduce students to the experiences of Ukrainian refugees fleeing war, highlight inspiring ways people have stepped up to help, and raise ethical questions about the treatment of refugees from non-European countries.
![Ukrainian Refugees crossing a fallen bridge.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/2022_RussiaUkraineConflict_FH2168262.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=suTcwNTN)
Holocaust Trivialization and Distortion
Use this mini-lesson to introduce students to contemporary examples of Holocaust trivialization and prompt reflection on the question “What are the implications of comparing current events to the Holocaust?”
![Jewish badge in the hands of a man stock photo.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/iStock-967655408_Medium_res.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=J4UYQe6A)
What Does It Mean to Live with Social Media?
In this mini-lesson, students sharpen their media literacy skills as they evaluate the impact of social media on their lives and question how we can manage social media’s harmful effects.
![A group of people use their smartphones outdoors.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/Stock_Image_Outdoors_On_The_Phone_FH2178690.png?h=807215e1&itok=zBCKIv7y)
When Online Hate Speech Has Real World Consequences
This mini-lesson explores celebrity influence and online hate, specifically antisemitism.
![Picture of Children Using Mobile phones stock illustration.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/Children%20Using%20Mobile%20phones%20stock%20illustration.jpg?h=e4f8c841&itok=LSK2o_ZN)
Staging the Compelling Question
Students are introduced to the themes of the compelling question by responding to a quote from James Baldwin that sparks their thinking about the complexities and contradictions within US history.
![Photo of student listening to student-led teaching session](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/SL_190522_0700%20%281%29.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=glf-JB3p)
Supporting Question 1: The Nation’s Founding Ideals
Students explore the supporting question "What does the Declaration of Independence state about the nation’s founding ideals?"
![United States Declaration of Independence](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/master-rbc-rbc0001-2004-2004pe76546-001%20%281%29.jpg?h=4ec2df74&itok=6j3UL0rd)
Supporting Question 2: Founding Ideals Versus Realities
Students explore the supporting question "What contradictions existed between the ideals and the reality of the founding of the United States?"
![Photo shows a group of African American slaves posed around a horse-drawn cart, with a building in the background, at the Cassina Point plantation of James Hopkinson on Edisto Island, South Carolina.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/service-pnp-ppmsca-39500-39590v.jpg?h=fd5c1401&itok=K1ckwjtu)