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.
Assigning Roles for Group Work
Make your students’ group work more effective by giving each member a specific role to fill.
![Four students at their desks, working in a group.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101383.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=spLBW7yj)
Create a Headline
This strategy helps students synthesize and articulate the most important takeaways from a variety of resources containing information about a particular topic or theme.
![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_)
Crop It
Help students interpret an image by “framing” smaller portions of the image and analyzing them.
![An illustration with portions framed with post-its.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Classroom_FH2169442.jpg?h=b87bb3ee&itok=rAz-hP2E)
Document Analysis Form
Use a graphic organizer to help students analyze a historical document and determine its perspective or bias.
![A close up of a student writing on a piece of paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/LosAngeles_ClassroomImage_2012_FH116207.jpg?h=9a556404&itok=SXiHI4Fc)
Evidence Logs
Use a graphic tool to help students centralize and organize evidence as they prepare to respond to a writing prompt.
![Students typing on laptops](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Cleveland_Classroom_2016_FH221925.jpg?h=6a1033c7&itok=lxqbzZEX)
Exit Tickets
Use exit tickets to assess students’ understanding, monitor their questions, or gather feedback on your teaching.
Human Timeline
Use this interactive timeline activity to help students understand and remember the chronology of events.
![Students in two lines facing and talking to each other.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221012.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=7muXHc1M)
Fishbowl
Use the Fishbowl discussion strategy to help students practice being contributors and listeners in a group conversation.
Le bocal
Utiliser cette stratégie de discussion pour aider les élèves à mieux contribuer à la conversation dans un groupe et leur apprendre à écouter.
Introducing a New Book
Spark students’ interest in a book before reading it by having them make predictions and ask questions about its contents.
![Someone holding a stack of books](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Classroom_2016_FH217836.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=vorL_pqB)
Found Poems
Students compose poems using only words, phrases, or quotations from a text that they find meaningful.
![A close up of a student writing on a piece of paper.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/LosAngeles_ClassroomImage_2012_FH116207.jpg?h=9a556404&itok=SXiHI4Fc)
Four Corners
Get all students involved by asking them to show their stance on a statement through their positioning around the room.
![A students talks with other students in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/LosAngeles_Classroom_2018_FH287164.jpg?h=a7f0580e&itok=J8auOvoo)
Gallery Walk
A gallery walk activity gets students moving as they explore a range of documents, images, or student work displayed around the classroom.
![Students adding post-it notes to a white board.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221014.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=5S8BMkZW)
Iceberg Diagrams
Encourage students to recognize the multiple causal factors behind an event from history, the present, or literature, using the visual of an iceberg.
![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_)
Identity Charts
Use identity charts to help students consider the many factors that shape their own identity and that of groups, nations, and historical and literary figures.
![An example of an identity chart for a high school student living in the Boston suburbs.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-10/Copy%20of%20Identity%20Chart%20Template%20%281900%20%C3%97%201414%20px%29%20%281%29.png?h=d3d13267&itok=RJS3A0Jw)
Give One, Get One
Students seek out and share ideas and information with classmates through this cooperative learning strategy.
![Students in two lines facing and talking to each other.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221012.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=7muXHc1M)
Graffiti Boards
Help students process their thoughts and emotions on a topic by engaging them in a written conversation with their classmates.
![Students adding post-it notes to a white board.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221014.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=5S8BMkZW)
Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn
Educators will structure a discussion that uses journaling and group work to strengthen students’ listening skills.
![Three students sitting in a classroom with one of the students talking.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_%20FH152786.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=amPaill9)
Life Road Maps
Educators will enrich students’ understanding of a historical or literary figure by having students draw the figure’s life journey.
![Student example of an identity chart with a drawing of a person and notes and quotations around it](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2016_FH212832.jpg?h=a5eb5da0&itok=2tvubA7u)
Lifted Line Poem
Educators will provide a creative way for students to engage with a text by transforming a line they find meaningful into a poem.
![Two students writing in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TlOy-GAQ)
Levels of Questions
Educators will help students strengthen their literacy skills by increasing the complexity of the questions they need to answer about a text.
![A student writes on a piece of paper](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/London_Classroom_2015_FH137480.jpg?h=1116cd87&itok=_UtgseyR)
Jigsaw: Developing Community and Disseminating Knowledge
Students will become “experts” on a topic and then share their new knowledge with peers.
![Four students sitting at a table smiling and talking to each other](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221005.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=iKLwzbzJ)
Journals in the Classroom
Create a practice of student journaling to help your students critically examine their surroundings and make informed judgments.
![Two students writing in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TlOy-GAQ)
Relevant or Not?
Help students identify relevant evidence, and give them an opportunity to practice evidence selection with their peers and as a class.
![Students discussing in pairs facing each other](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221010.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=bm1hqy9J)
S-I-T: Surprising, Interesting, Troubling
Use this quick way for students to demonstrate their engagement with a text, image, or video by having them identify what they find surprising, interesting, and troubling.
![Three students sitting in a classroom with one of the students talking.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_%20FH152786.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=amPaill9)
Save the Last Word for Me
This discussion strategy helps students practice being both active speakers and active listeners in a group conversation.
![Four students sitting at a table with one student talking and gesturing.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_FH152755.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=KNLRAWk3)
See, Think, Wonder
Guide students’ analysis of a photograph, artwork, or video with this simple critical-viewing strategy.
![A white board with photos of different locations from around the world](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_Classroom_2017_FH256504.jpg?h=2992ba0a&itok=7qQ5nt8N)
Shadow Reading
Use this strategy to help students consider, compare, and analyze various perspectives on a complex topic.
Socratic Seminar
A Socratic Seminar invites students to facilitate a discussion in order to work together toward a shared understanding of a text.
![Two students sitting in a classroom with one student talking and gesturing](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2018_%20FH151349.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=DKqBQANg)
SPAR (Spontaneous Argumentation)
Use this debate-style activity to strengthen students’ ability to use evidence and examples to defend their positions.
![Two students sitting in a classroom with one student talking](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_Classroom_2017_FH256621.jpg?h=2992ba0a&itok=Dyb7d21_)
Stations: Interacting with Multiple Texts
Small groups of students move from station to station to read, watch, and interpret a variety of resources.
![Two students sitting in a classroom with one student talking](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_Classroom_2017_FH256621.jpg?h=2992ba0a&itok=Dyb7d21_)
Stick Figure Quotes
Use this creative character-analysis activity to help students develop understanding of and empathy for a literary or historical figure.
![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)
Storyboard
Help students track a story’s main ideas and supporting details by having them illustrate important scenes.
![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)
Text-to-Text, Text-to-Self, Text-to-World
Use text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world comparisons to help students connect ideas in a text to their own lives, current events, and history.
![A close-up of an open book in someone's hands](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/NewEngland_Classroom_2014_%20FH130909.jpg?h=0d27ee61&itok=KTdUxDpl)
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share activities facilitate thoughtful group discussions by having students first reflect individually and discuss their ideas with a partner.
![Two students talking in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2018_%20FH151324.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=VDhPgu6s)
Échanges croisés (Réfléchir seul et par groupes de deux)
Animer des discussions de groupe réfléchies en demandant aux élèves de partager d'abord leurs idées par écrit, puis avec un partenaire.
![Two students talking in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2018_%20FH151324.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=VDhPgu6s)
Two-Column Note-Taking
Use this teaching strategy to help students learn how to take notes by identifying "key ideas" in one column and their "responses" in another column.
![Two students writing in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TlOy-GAQ)
Two-Minute Interview
Students interview classmates to gather evidence and ideas about a topic as they practice being active listeners.
![Students in two lines facing and talking to each other.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221012.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=7muXHc1M)
Word Wall
A word wall supports students’ tracking of new or important vocabulary by displaying these words in a shared space in the classroom.
![Three students sitting in a classroom with one of the students talking.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_%20FH152786.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=amPaill9)
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)