How Can Music Inspire Social Change?
This blog explores the connections between music, history, and social change. Within this blog, educators are provided with a lesson that can be used with students to contemplate the role of music as a social change agent.
![The Staple Singers sit with the owners of Stax Records, Al Bell and Jim Stewart, in Memphis, TN. Photo courtesy of Stax Museum of American Soul Music.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/2_al_jim_staples.jpeg?h=cdfb2dc1&itok=keTFSL6P)
Make Good the Promises of Reconstruction: A Conversation and Virtual Exhibition Tour with Candra Flanagan
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to this recorded conversation with Candra Flanagan, Director of Teaching and Learning at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture, as we explore the museum’s exhibition, “Make Good the Promises: Reconstruction and Its Legacies.”
![Picture of Candra Flanagan.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Candra%20Flanagan%20headshot.jpg?h=f339ba4f&itok=aW_KMmbw)
Do You Take the Oath?
Students consider the choices and reasoning of individual Germans who stayed quiet or spoke up during the first few years of Nazi rule.
![German military recruits swear allegiance to Adolf Hitler.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Holocaust_SwearingAllegianceToHitler_FH229433.jpg?h=827069f2&itok=8JL6O5JQ)
Introducing Ideas This Week
Welcome! We've created a list to help you explore the best of what we have to offer. It covers topics including educator competencies, classroom resources, inspiring stories, and more.
![Picture of teacher in classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/2019_UK_Classroom_FH2177573.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=Zs3pE68x)
Common Ground Revisited
Learn about the play Common Ground Revisited, which explores various ways that key historical actors may have experienced the 1970s school desegregation in Boston and the different ways that contemporary Bostonians relate to these historical events.
![Busing Information Phone Bank; City of Boston Mayor's Office in September 1974.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Busing_Information_Phone%20Bank_City_Boston_Mayors_Office_September_1974.jpeg?h=18da7b47&itok=et7KRWL8)
Supporting Question 4: Memory of the Founding
Students explore the supporting question "How should we remember the nation’s founding?"
![Washington DC, Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Building Southwest Pavilion. The Library has had an ongoing exhibition entitled "Thomas Jefferson's Library", which presents the Library's efforts to completely recreate Thomas Jefferson's personal library. The exhibit is located on the Building's second floor in the Southwest Pavilion, called the Pavilion of the Discoverers due to the paintings and bas-reliefs that adorn the space.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/2F36F1J.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=uc3dLkqF)
Activities to Connect and Celebrate at the End of the School Year
These six activities help students reflect on the past school year, celebrate their school community, and look ahead to what comes next.
![Two students in conversation with each other. Both appear to be joyful.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/FacingHistoryandOurselves_PressPhoto2_0.jpg?h=c3635fa2&itok=uUpzXtUW)
The Common Good in Times of Crisis
This mini-lesson invites students to explore how their actions and the actions of their leaders can help promote the common good in a time of crisis.
![Demonstrators stand in a crosswalk to protest climate change.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/2019_GlobalClimateStrikeActivists_FH2178688.jpg?h=5dcf5df9&itok=kLIXIfcm)
Holocaust Memorial Day (UK): Moving Beyond the Curriculum to Explore Ordinary People
On-Demand
Virtual
This one-hour webinar provided ideas, inspiration, and resources for how to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
![Picture of Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin, Germany.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/Berlin-_German_Jewish_Holocaust_Memorial_-_3212.jpg?h=c4842d71&itok=hzfRcYQM)
Reflecting on Climate Change and Ecological Grief
Use this mini-lesson to help students reflect on their emotional reactions to climate change, their connection to the natural world, and the power of collective action.
![Earth Day Young Climate Activists.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/AP_20107762919256_Medium_res.jpg?h=ffeece36&itok=nBqZ-xmX)
Mob Violence, Human Behavior, and the Capitol Insurrection
This mini-lesson on the Capitol insurrection invites students to reflect on how seemingly small choices made by individuals can contribute to larger acts of injustice and violence.
![January 6th 2021 Capitol Riot.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/RTX8KRI5_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=u6vuxxho)