Collection
Materials for My Part of the Story
Find the videos, images, readings, handouts and strategies you will need to teach the lesson plans in the unit My Part of the Story: Exploring Identity in the United States.
At a Glance
Language
English — USSubject
- Civics & Citizenship
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
7–12- Democracy & Civic Engagement
Overview
About This Collection
This page is designed for educators using the print or PDF version of My Part of the Story. It contains all of the digital resources referenced throughout the unit.
Inside this Collection
Choosing Names
Use this list of famous people who have changed their names to explore the relationship between names and identity.
Two Names, Two Worlds
Jonathan Rodríguez reflects on his name through poetry. How does his name “place him in the world”?
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share activities facilitate thoughtful group discussions by having students first reflect individually and discuss their ideas with a partner.
Street Calculus
This cartoon by Garry Trudeau explores the ways that identity impacts how we perceive people.
Still Me Inside
A teenager describes how changing her appearance affected the way that others perceived her identity and how she thought about herself.
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share activities facilitate thoughtful group discussions by having students first reflect individually and discuss their ideas with a partner.
Fishbowl
Use the Fishbowl discussion strategy to help students practice being contributors and listeners in a group conversation.
Our Kind of People
Explore how the choices individuals make about clothing affect how others perceive them with Bayeté Ross Smith’s 2010 photography series.
Gallery Walk
A gallery walk activity gets students moving as they explore a range of documents, images, or student work displayed around the classroom.
Creating Ourselves Online and in “Real Life”
Read quotes from teenagers about how they choose to represent themselves on social media.
“Chameleon” by David L.
A teenager recalls a time he bought shoes to fit in with his high school friends.
What Are You?
Canadian writer Anna Fitzpatrick describes how she moved beyond the labels and stereotypes about Indian culture to find a deeper connection to her family's history.
Blackbelt
A high school student reflects on being raised by his older brother and the legacy of the karate blackbelt his brother gave to him.
A Strength of My Neighborhood
A high school student describes how his neighborhood in Los Angeles helps him feel connected to the traditions of his family’s “old world” heritage in Mexico.
Family Names
Learn how filmmaker Macky Alston learned about the history of his family name and its connection to his family's legacy in the United States.
Jigsaw: Developing Community and Disseminating Knowledge
Students will become “experts” on a topic and then share their new knowledge with peers.
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share activities facilitate thoughtful group discussions by having students first reflect individually and discuss their ideas with a partner.
The Wooden Shoes
A high school student tells the story behind a pair of wooden shoes and their connection to her family's history in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Shifting Demographics in the United States
Analyze data from the Pew Research Center about the demographic trends shaping the United States today.
What Does It Mean to “Be American?”
Here are a selection of answers to New York Times reporter Damien Cave’s question, “What does it mean to be American?”
Identity Charts
Use identity charts to help students consider the many factors that shape their own identity and that of groups, nations, and historical and literary figures.
Save the Last Word for Me
This discussion strategy helps students practice being both active speakers and active listeners in a group conversation.
Unlimited Access to Learning. More Added Every Month.
Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.
Exploring ELA Text Selection with Julia Torres
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.
Working for Justice, Equity and Civic Agency in Our Schools: A Conversation with Clint Smith
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to writer and educator Dr. Clint Smith as he shares his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.
Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
On-Demand
Virtual
Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.
The resources I’m getting from my colleagues through Facing History have been just invaluable.
—
Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif
