From Fitting In to Belonging: Understanding the Forces That Shape Belonging
Designed for students in grades 7 and 8, this text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a two-week unit exploring the essential questions, “What are the forces that shape belonging? How can we reduce barriers to belonging for ourselves and others?”
![Students eating together](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/Facing-History_SJLA_184.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=saVDWo2D)
Survivors and Witnesses: Video Testimony
This collection features powerful accounts of the Holocaust, told by survivors, rescuers, and witnesses, selected from USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive.
![Nate Leipciger shares testimony with students.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Nate_Leipciger_Survivor_Testimony_Hero_Banner.jpeg?h=287014c6&itok=PeKyv8aE)
Democracy and Freedom: US History Capstone Project
This capstone project invites students to reflect on their own role in a democracy in light of what they’ve learned about freedom and democracy in US history.
![Two colorful hands reaching towards one another](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/iStock-1257176924.jpg?h=1bdf24e3&itok=VBCv6OBs)
Reimagining Home
This text set includes lesson plans and multi-genre texts for a two-week unit exploring the essential question, “How can reimagining ‘home’ empower us to define how and where we belong in the world?”
![Portrait of a teenage girl on a rooftop, reading a comic and enjoying the sunset.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-08/iStock-1483645445.jpg?h=140710cd&itok=mDVZtRff)
Three Good Things
Students practice gratitude by naming and recording three good things that have happened that day.
![Two students look to the front of the classroom with smiles on their faces.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_LA_FH116218.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=vIAV-cLY)
Slow Down with The Slowdown
Students use poetry as a spark for reflection and discussion about what’s happening in their lives and the world.
![Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_LA_FH287343.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=FQS-JeNY)
Take a Stand
Students practice debate and perspective taking by taking a stand on a controversial statement.
![Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_LA_FH287162.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=ipY6dvE3)
Appreciation, Apology, Aha
Students reflect on the day by asking them to share an appreciation, an apology, and an “aha” moment.
![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_)
Closing Challenge
Students identify one personal or academic goal that they would like to commit to in the week ahead.
![A Facing History journal sits on top of a student guide for Choices in Little Rock.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_Chicago_FH2101605.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TAR7mZfI)
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Students reflect on the past year and generate ideas for the kind of learning community and learning experiences they are hoping for this year.
![Four students in conversation with each other in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_SFBA_FH152797.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=pQhl4nhF)
Our Names and Our Place in the World
Students consider what parts of our identities we choose for ourselves and what parts are chosen for us, as well as the impact our names can have on our identities.
![A student in conversation with a peer outside of the photograph is in the center of the photo. Another student looks at a laptop.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_SFBA_FH152706.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=Ra743RR_)