The Hope and Fragility of Democracy in the United States
In this mini-lesson, students learn about the history of democratic and anti-democratic efforts in the United States and examine sources that illuminate this tension from Reconstruction through today.
Enacting Freedom
Students consider what it means to be free by learning about the choices and aspirations of freedpeople immediately after Emancipation.
![Black students standing outside in front of a clapboard school house](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Civil_Rights_1900_The_School_at_Pinehurst_Summerville_SC_FH2174932.jpg?h=539e276e&itok=BkLqdaXv)
Understanding #TakeaKnee and Athlete Activism
Explore the origin and legacy of the Take A Knee protest in the NFL, the significance of the more recent athlete boycotts, and the long history of athletes protesting racial injustice in the United States.
![Basketball Court with Athletes and American Flags.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/AP_20243625782990_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=Od4NR1jZ)
Use Poetry To Teach About Identity
Celebrate National Poetry Month with this mini-lesson that uses poetry to help students grapple with the complexities of identity and inspire them to tell their own stories.
![Zoomed in photo of student writing.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/118_Bully_Summit%2C_2012%2C_LA%2C_113_for_Web_or_Office_Use.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=xdupak2M)
What Happened During the Insurrection at the US Capitol and Why?
This mini-lesson guides students to use an iceberg diagram to synthesize the events of January 6, 2021, and outline the complex array of causes at work.
![Photo from inside the capitol on January 6th.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/shutterstock_1888486645_full-res.jpg?h=781d8428&itok=E5Jj8lDn)
What Is Our Obligation To Asylum Seekers?
Help students understand how the United States’ complex asylum process works. Invite them to consider the question, who has an obligation to asylum seekers?
![Image for What Is Our Obligation To Asylum Seekers?.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/AsylumSeekers_RTX71YVX_teaser_0.png?h=24afd704&itok=v1j7-Aw5)
Youth Taking Charge! Placing Student Activism in Historical Context
Use this mini-lesson to explore the rich history of youth activism from the 1960s to present day.
![Students protesting for gun control.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Parkland2_AP_18052669994705_Medium_res.jpg?h=ffeece36&itok=a5MpsFR0)
Young People Respond to Climate Change
Explore with your students why young people are calling for action against climate change and some of the strategies they can use to make a difference on this issue.
![Swedish activist Greta Thunberg participates in a youth climate change protest in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/YoungPeopleClimateChange_RTX706QZ_full-res.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=O-m3XU8m)
Why Do People Migrate?
In this mini-lesson, students reflect on stories of migration and learn about migration from El Salvador to the United States as a means of exploring the underlying factors that drive migration.
![Photo of Central American Migrants.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/WhyDoPeopleMigrate_RTX70WND_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=958cf23b&itok=KYhL_IVP)
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown
Students explore the potential negative impact of images through the social media protest #IfTheyGunnedMeDown and develop a decision-making process for choosing imagery to represent controversial events.
![National President of Black Lawyers for Justice, carries a picture of Michael Brown as he leads demonstrators on a march.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2014_CurfewSetAfterViolentProtestsFlareAmidOverMichaelBrownShooting_FH2173438.jpg?h=24afd704&itok=E8IzzWCR)
The Impact of Identity
Students explore how identity impacts our responses to other people and events by examining a cartoon and analyzing an opinion poll from a week after Ferguson.
![Students learning in class.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2019_SL_190522_0613_FH2101388.jpg?h=0f4230fa&itok=_mOwH2tA)