Resource Library
Find compelling classroom resources, learn new teaching methods, meet standards, and make a difference in the lives of your students.
We are grateful to The Hammer Family Foundation for supporting the development of our on-demand learning and teaching resources.
Introducing Our US History Curriculum Collection
Draw from this flexible curriculum collection as you plan any middle or high school US history course. Featuring units, C3-style inquiries, and case studies, the collection will help you explore themes of democracy and freedom with your students throughout the year.
Developing Students’ Capacity to Connect with History
In this classroom video, social studies teacher Tareeq Rasheed teaches the lesson “The First Day of School” from the Choices in Little Rock unit.
Fostering Active Engagement through Fishbowl Discussion
In this classroom video, social studies teacher Jenna Forton uses the Fishbowl teaching strategy to structure a class discussion about primary documents related to the Plessy vs. Ferguson case.
Common Core Writing Prompts and Strategies: The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy
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This resource guides students through a deep exploration of the pivotal era of American history when a nation divided by slavery and war was challenged to rebuild.
Political Polarization in the United States
This Explainer defines the term political polarization and provides information on how it impacts US politics and society.
Civil Rights Historical Investigations
Use this resource to help students study three major moments in the development of the civil rights movement in the United States from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
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The ideas and tools in this guide will help you prepare students to engage in reflective conversations on topics that matter.
Supporting a Culture of Inquiry in Your Classroom
In this classroom video, social studies teacher Tareeq Rasheed teaches the lesson “The Choices the Leaders Made (Part II)” from the Choices in Little Rock unit.
Teaching about Segregation and Its Consequences: Examining Plessy v. Ferguson
In this classroom video, social studies teacher Jenna Forton teaches a lesson from the Choices in Little Rock unit
Teaching Strategy: Found Poems
In this classroom video, a high school history teacher leads students in the construction of found poems based on their research about the eugenics movement in the early twentieth century in the United States.
The Legacy of Eugenics: Facilitating a Classroom Conversation
In this classroom video, a high school history teacher facilitates a conversation with students about the legacy of the eugenics movement in the United States.
Free and Fair Elections
This Explainer describes the standards that governments need to meet before, during, and after an election to ensure that the election is "free and fair."
Viewing Guide: The Power of Propaganda
English language arts teacher Jackie Rubino is preparing to teach the memoir Night, by Elie Wiesel. In order to build students’ historical understanding, Ms. Rubino leads her class in a lesson on the power of Nazi propaganda. Images from children’s books, Nazi recruitment posters, posters from the Hitler Youth, and other resources are shared via a gallery walk, after which students consider five discussion questions in small groups.