Studs Terkel Interview with Virginia Foster Durr
In an interview with Studs Terkel, Virginia Foster Durr, a prominent American civil rights activist, reflects on life during the Great Depression, particularly the way that people on government relief felt shame and guilt over their own suffering and poverty, rather than blaming the capitalist system.
Studs Terkel Interview with Eileen Barthe
In this segment of an interview conducted by Studs Terkel, Eileen Barthe, a government relief case worker during the Great Depression, remembers an experience that caused a recipient of relief to face deep humiliation.
Growing Up with Racism
In a letter to her daughter, Lisa Delpit reflects on how racism has shaped her worldview and her hopes and fears for her child.
Growing Up with Racism (en español)
In a letter to her daughter, Lisa Delpit reflects on how racism has shaped her worldview and her hopes and fears for her child. This reading is in Spanish.
Speech by President Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address
This is an audio recording of President Lincoln's second inaugural address (March 4, 1865).
In Elizabeth Eckford's Words
After the Federal Judge ordered integration in Little Rock, Arkansas, the "Little Rock Nine" prepared for their first day at Central High School. Governor Orval Faubus, in defiance of the order, called out the Arkansas National Guard. One of the students, Elizabeth Eckford, could not be reached and was therefore not informed of the plan. This is her story.
Becoming American Study Guide
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This guide to accompany the film Becoming American helps students investigate identity and belonging through the stories of generations of Chinese immigrants in the United States and their paths to "becoming American."
Teaching Enrique's Journey
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This guide provides activities and discussion questions for leading your students through a six-week reading of Enrique's Journey that explores themes of identity, belonging, and choices.
Teaching Farewell to Manzanar
Use this guide to Jeanne Wakatsuki's memoir about the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II to develop students' literacy skills and increase understanding of this history.
Teaching Mockingbird
Use this resource to transform how you teach Harper Lee’s novel by integrating historical context, documents, and sources that reflect the African American voices absent from Mockingbird's narration.
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.