Ideas This Week
Ideas This Week is your hub for updates on all things Facing History—from announcements and featured press to expert interviews, impact stories, and essays on the ideas driving our work.
Overcoming Polarization: The Importance of Civil Discourse in a Divided World
Facing History offers tools that can help navigate conversations on polarizing topics with empathy, self-awareness, and critical thinking.
![Male professional talking to group around a table](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-05/FH2201156.jpg?h=62ea6fdc&itok=AnExRegn)
8 Classroom Resources on Genocide
In accordance with Genocide Awareness Month, Facing History offers eight classroom resources educators can utilize to help their students think critically about the specific historical and contemporary conditions under which genocides occurred to effectively unite head, heart, and conscience.
![Stock photo of zoomed in on hands using laptop.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/iStock-155379052.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=kdPOBHw1)
28 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for the Classroom
Use these simple social-emotional learning activities to incorporate SEL in your lesson plans and classroom routines.
![Two women in discussion.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/076_Bully_Summit%2C_2012%2C_LA%2C_078.jpg?h=4997dc06&itok=KLLmzTIA)
Nothing about Us without Us: Promoting Disability History and Awareness in Classrooms
Explore resources to bring disability education into your classroom and support progress towards an inclusive and equitable society.
![Graphic image of disability pride flag](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/Disability_Pride_ITW_Header.jpg?h=c9a3a702&itok=V-MHz74-)
12 Great On-Demand Webinars for Teachers
Explore these on-demand webinars for teachers at your own pace for inspiring and insightful professional learning from leading experts.
![Stock footage of person typing on an Apple MacBook Pro laptop.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-02/glenn-carstens-peters-npxXWgQ33ZQ-unsplash%20%281%29%20%281%29.jpg?h=d5d02efb&itok=1-zfvPmS)
The Power of a Single Word: The 75th Anniversary of the Genocide Convention
Seventy-five years after coining the term "genocide," Raphael Lemkin's voice continues to echo in the consciousness and responses of global citizens.
![Raphael Lemkin's United Nations ID card](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/aa-p154-b01-f012-004-002.jpg?h=b64789bb&itok=TMt7Snq5)
Honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance
Teachers and others can use these resources to learn about Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20.
![Pride flag](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/cecilie_johnsen_G8CxFhKuPDU_unsplash.jpg?h=d08f423e&itok=Ka3Ndv4C)
18 Teacher Resources on Native American History and Culture
Below are 18 resources that middle and high school teachers can turn to when developing lesson plans related to the roles of Native American peoples in American history and contemporary life. These resources include online exhibitions at the Smithsonian; the Smithsonian’s Native Knowledge 360° Educational Initiative; the work of the Mitchell and Hood Museums; and the growing work of Facing History in these thematic areas.
![Three members of the Sioux tribe pose in Indian Village, 1898.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/Black%20Foot-Standing-Bear_Big_Eagle_Sioux_ca_1898.jpg?h=26ac82e5&itok=5rYHkhl2)
9 of Our Favorite Back-to-School Activities and Resources
Try these classroom activities and resources at the start of the year to build a foundation for learning all year long.
![Students and educator work on an assignment](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/221116-0215.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=R-Z5CpUh)
Stories Defined and Told by Women
Since recorded history, women have always found memorable ways to share their narratives and ensure that their stories do not go untold.
![Picture of four women wearing colorful clothing embracing.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/vonecia-carswell-0aMMMUjiiEQ-unsplash.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=wZCCXyVd)
5 Timely Reads on Genocide
In response to the outpouring of discussion and debate following President Biden’s statement that Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine constitutes genocide, Facing History provides five reads to address crucial questions educators and their students may be asking.
![Bouquet of flowers wrapped in purple fabric placed on monument.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Untitled%20design%20%2831%29.png?h=a6c55029&itok=xECBucxP)