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.
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)
Discussing Contemporary Islamophobia in the Classroom
This unit is designed to help students in the UK reflect on how Islamophobia manifests in contemporary society and what needs to be done to challenge it.
![Students participating in a discussion.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/High_School_Students_Classroom_2015_FH137533.jpg?h=1116cd87&itok=W0ZFmcjY)
“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)
Teaching about Hate Crimes and Their Impacts
This unit helps students understand what hate crimes are, the ways they impact individuals and communities, and what people can do to foster belonging and counteract hate.
![Candlelight vigil at the Tree of Life Synagogue](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/GettyImages-1054421298.jpg?h=d5d02efb&itok=c1lUnJNB)
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)
Common Core Writing Prompts and Strategies: Civil Rights Historical Investigation
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This resource connects our Civil Rights Historical Investigations unit with writing prompts that align with the expectations of the Common Core State Standards.
![Common Core: Civil Rights Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/CommonCoreCivilRights_cvr.png?h=88ddef7e&itok=4J-1TEKp)
Democracy in Action: A Study Guide to Accompany the Film Freedom Riders
Use this guide to the documentary film Freedom Riders to help students explore the stories of the brave activists who challenged segregation in the South in 1961.
![Democracy in Action: A Study Guide to Accompany the Film Freedom Riders](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Democracy_in_Action.jpg?h=50887407&itok=CFLQDGyp)
Civil Rights Historical Investigations
Use this resource to help students study three major moments in the development of the civil rights movement in the United States from the 1950s to the 1970s.
![African-American protesters picketing against Boston school segregation in 1963.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/neu_111423.jpeg?h=3884fb6d&itok=IyOyFLKA)
Common Core Writing Prompts and Strategies: The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy
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This resource guides students through a deep exploration of the pivotal era of American history when a nation divided by slavery and war was challenged to rebuild.
Exploring Civil Rights and Migration: 18-week Curriculum Outline
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Recommended for 7th and 8th-grade, this outline provides an instructional pathway for middle school educators to teach an 18-week curriculum exploring membership, belonging, and the power of individual and collective choices.
![Students working together in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/20150813_TreyClark_0826.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=yhllecYr)