Rose, Thorn, Bud
The Rose, Thorn, Bud exercise increases students' self-awareness as they reflect on recent successes, challenges, and opportunities.
![A bush of blooming red roses.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/bloomingredroses_FH2174430.jpg?h=790be497&itok=Bi-7cuYn)
Fist to Five
Students communicate how they are feeling in response to a chosen prompt, giving teachers a pulse on the class’s opinions or well-being.
![A person holding a rectangular white photo frame near a body of water.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/personholdingwhitephotoframe_FH2174431.jpg?h=85ee10f1&itok=FI7scKNp)
First Chapter Fridays
Read aloud a chapter of a book your students are interested in to build community around stories and storytelling.
![Person sitting on the floor while holding a book.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/personholdingbook_2017_FH2174436_teaser.jpeg?h=84071268&itok=8vuJsWXh)
Compass Points
Students get an opportunity to give feedback about the class and communicate their needs and worries.
![A person holds a compass in their hand with the ocean in the background.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/personholdingblackandwhitecompass_FH2174435_teaser.jpeg?h=5dfb68b6&itok=-Xaib-Ey)
Mood Meter
This mood meter activity develops students’ vocabulary for describing their feelings and their empathy muscles.
![Two middle school students write with pencils on a big paper activity.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/ClassroomImage_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=2LE9vXfG)
Exit Cards
Students share how they are feeling, what their needs are, and what goals they’d like to set in an exit card.
![A person holds a glass door open with a backpack over one shoulder.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/manholdingglassdoor_2017_FH2174434.jpg?h=d8832164&itok=qp7RoHxk)
Genocide Still Happens
Use this mini-lesson to reflect with your students on what we can do to stop ongoing atrocities and prevent future genocides.
![Family photographs of victims of the Rwandan Genocide](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/GenocideAwarenessMonth_AP19095514790874.jpg?h=25f41369&itok=K2aTJk_p)
Teaching with Video Testimony
Students watch video testimony from a Holocaust survivor and engage in purposeful reflection about the survivor’s important story.
![Classroom sitting in a circle discussing](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/facing-history-sf-drew-bird-a-036.jpg?h=f2fcf546&itok=sUVWju0K)
Different Perspectives on Migrant Detention
In this mini-lesson, students gain insight into migration and the systems surrounding migrant detention by considering the perspectives of migrants, an immigration lawyer and advocate, a border guard, and an immigration judge.
![Undocumented immigrant families walk from a bus depot to a respite center](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/PerspectivesonDetention_RTX6D3SR_fullres.jpg?h=2a871bf3&itok=i7w7FDb7)
Western Imperialism and Nation Building in Japan and China
Students are introduced to the history of Western imperialism in East Asia and its influence on the identities and ambitions of Japan and China.
![An Ukiyo-e of the Utagawa school depicting foreigners in Japan, including Russians, Dutch, British, Americans, French and Chinese. A closeup of the Dutch, Americans and Chinese in the center of the picture](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Foreign_nations_in_Japan.jpg?h=bb3745a7&itok=kNJq-Ev3)