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.
Fostering Civic Imagination and Empowering Students to Shape the Future
Help students consider and pursue a better world, become empowered civic actors, and build connections using their imaginations.
![Students sitting around round table working on projects](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-04/Students%20sitting%20around%20round%20table%20working%20on%20projects%20%28FH2196858%29.jpg?h=1ed8eb50&itok=ijO4D_s5)
We Learn by Doing and Reflecting: Civic Voice and Action
Discover best practices on cultivating your students’ voices and facilitating civic action projects.
![Image of youth from KQED Youth Media Challenge event](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-02/CallForChange-Lockup.jpg?h=4c6c0eb8&itok=0Bah1OEZ)
Educators Have the Power to Strengthen Democracy
See how Facing History's civics education resources strengthen students' civic skills and attitudes about democratic participation.
![Teacher And Students having a discussion](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-01/SL_190522_0014.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=gP64QyiG)
Teaching about the January 6 Insurrection and its Impact on US Democracy
The January 6 insurrection remains important to understand and discuss, as well as the larger questions it raises about the state of US democracy. A recent poll found that 52% of young people between 18 and 29 believe that either US democracy is "in trouble" or "failed," while only 7% agree that it is "healthy," further highlighting the need to teach students about democratic institutions.
![Black and white photo of the US State House](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/b%26w_photo_us_state_house.png?h=a6c55029&itok=OVK2Jup-)
Challenging Racial and Religious Hatred in the Classroom
A look at recent teacher training sessions to support teachers in discussing racial and religious hatred in the classroom.
![British Muslim Heritage Center in Manchester, United Kingdom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-12/89d8eee9-963c-4e8b-ae1b-773df34741a3.jpg?h=ddb1ad0c&itok=VnEqTJ8b)
5 Tips for Speaking across Difference over the Holidays
As social gatherings commence this holiday season, explore these suggestions to help keep dialogue around sensitive topics productive and meaningful.
![A group of friends and family of Indian ethnicity sit at a table set with traditional Indian food. A high angle view from overhead of the food, plates, and dishes at the dining table.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-11/iStock-1064762202.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=zd-9v8JG)
Commemorating Landmark Voting Rights Legislation and Celebrating Youth Activism
To celebrate International Youth Day and the anniversary of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, we reflect on the importance of youth in advocacy movements.
![African American demonstrators outside The White House, with signs "We Demand The Right To Vote, Everywhere" and signs protesting police brutality against Civil Rights demonstrators in Selma, Alabama](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/AfricanAmericansRightToVote_FH21247.jpg?h=6521bd5e&itok=9j0NUjW9)
Co-creating a New American Tradition
Explore how understanding Juneteenth and the Fourth of July together can tell a story of America that belongs to everyone.
![Woman With US Flag On Her Shoulders](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/josh-johnson-ALGRkWz3-yc-unsplash.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=pltDxmSl)
Reflecting on Juneteenth
Learn about the history and legacy of Juneteenth and how modern awareness of this commemoration has grown and raised the profile of this important holiday.
![Juneteenth Independence Day. Freedom or Emancipation day. Annual American holiday, celebrated on June 19. African American history and heritage. Poster, greeting card, banner and background](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/iStock-1154863383.jpg?h=4f4378cb&itok=CE58MYI_)
Monuments and Memorials Are Conversation Starters
Dimitry Anselme discusses how monuments and memorials can be an entry point for students to discover underrepresented stories.
![The Robert Gould Shaw And Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/The_Robert_Gould_Shaw_and_Massachusetts_54th_Regiment_Memorial_%28c65efc6a-6b80-4def-aad7-88012b9b9e14%29.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=LnNQzsv4)
Dolores Huerta's Life of Indefatigable Resistance
Dolores Huerta helped advance civil rights and labor rights with her tireless advocacy, organizing a successful labor movement of US farm workers.
![Photo of Dolores Huerta](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/Dolores_Huerta_photo.png?h=444fc133&itok=DAgQWwRr)