Political Polarization in the United States
This Explainer defines the term political polarization and provides information on how it impacts US politics and society.
![Abstract red, white, and blue painting with thick brush strokes.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/PoliticalPolarization_full-res.jpg?h=5eef411c&itok=dyNgzenB)
Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
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The ideas and tools in this guide will help you prepare students to engage in reflective conversations on topics that matter.
![Student art on the topic of "we choose"](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/we_chose_ctp_344330005_o.jpg?h=c6d0d1c4&itok=r8HMDWBE)
David M. Kennedy: "Twoness”
In this film clip from American Creed, historian David Kennedy discusses the complexity of American identity.
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1344.jpg)
Big Paper Example
In a Big Paper activity, students respond silently to a text excerpt or image by writing their comments on a shared paper.
![A text quotation taped on a large piece of paper with student feedback written in markers.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Big_Paper_Example.jpg?h=481317ef&itok=oivQYEYv)
Taking Down the Confederate Flag
Learn about the recent debate over the Confederate flag in South Carolina following the murders at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston in 2015.
![Southeast view of the South Carolina State House with Strom Thurmond statue in the foreground.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/South_Carolina_State_House%2C_Columbia%2C_Southeast_view_with_Strom_Thurmond_Statue_FH2170671.jpeg?h=773321b5&itok=phpSrnZx)
Nazi Recruitment Propaganda
This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP [Nazi Party] protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization.
![This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP (Nazi Party) protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization.”](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1936_NaziRecruitmentPropaganda_FH229451.jpg?h=5e938d19&itok=Wj-dTXcd)
Nazi Recruitment Propaganda (en español)
This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP [Nazi Party] protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization". This resource is in Spanish.
![This mid-1930s poster says, “The NSDAP (Nazi Party) protects the people. Your fellow comrades need your advice and help, so join the local party organization.”](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_1936_NaziRecruitmentPropaganda_FH229451.jpg?h=5e938d19&itok=Wj-dTXcd)
Barometer
In this classroom video, middle school students learn how to participate in a Barometer activity during the first week of school.
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1473.jpg)
Contracting
In this classroom video, a middle school teacher leads his class through the contracting process during the first week of school and students discuss expectations and norms of how class members will treat each other.
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1474.jpg)
Exploring Identity
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Use these slides to help students learn about the social and cultural factors that help shape our identities by analysing a story and creating personal identity charts.
![Arms being raised in a crowd](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Belonging_Arms_FH229369.jpg?h=5f62bdfc&itok=c4uJXB-2)