Sequence of Study

Facing History’s case studies follow an intentional progression of themes that help students make connections between history and the consequences of our actions and beliefs today.

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Facing History & Ourselves' case studies follow a specific progression of themes. This structure—our scope and sequence or the Facing History journey—is a key component of our pedagogy.

The journey begins by examining common human behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes students can readily observe in their own lives.

Students then explore a historical case study, such as the Holocaust, or a literary work like To Kill a Mockingbird or Night and analyze how those patterns of human behavior may have influenced the choices individuals made—to participate, stand by, or stand up—in the face of injustice, hate, and, in some cases, mass murder.

They come to realize that there are no easy answers to the complex problems of racism, antisemitism, hatred, and violence, no quick fixes for social injustices, and no simple solutions to moral dilemmas.

Lastly, students examine how the history they studied continues to influence our world today, and they consider how they might choose to participate in bringing about a more just, equitable, and compassionate world.

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Get a print or PDF version of our core resource on the Holocaust, which examines the challenging history of the Holocaust while prompting reflection on our world today.

Holocaust and Human Behavior Teaser Image.

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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.

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Use this resource to transform how you teach Harper Lee’s novel by integrating historical context, documents, and sources that reflect the African American voices absent from Mockingbird's narration.

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This unit investigates the choices made by the Little Rock Nine and others in the Little Rock community during the civil rights movement during efforts to desegregate Central High School in 1957.

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Designed for Canadian educators, this resource examines the Indian Residential Schools and their long-lasting effects on Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and The Indian Residential Schools Cover

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Impact Story

by Jen Langley

Apr 22, 2022

Facing History Sr. Director of Marketing & Analytics Jen Langley reflects on her personal connection to the Armenian Genocide.

Crimes Against Humanity and Civilization: The Genocide of The Armenians cover.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Sep 9, 2021

Facing History shares on the importance of having Black teachers in the classroom.

Teacher helping a male pupil studying at a desk in classroom stock

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Apr 20, 2022

Earth Day grants educators the opportunity to consider the ecological issues facing the planet and the unique ways that they are impacting the young people in their classrooms, which both elevates youth activism surrounding the issue and provides a healthy environment to process "ecological grief."

Earth is our home cardboard sign on grass.

Insight

by Julie Halterman

Apr 19, 2022

In response to the rise of legislation targeting transgender people, Facing History provides resources for educators to build an affirming, welcoming class community for your students, especially trans and non-binary students.

Pink and blue chalk with transgender symbol stock photo.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Sep 8, 2021

Facing History commemorates the life of activist and Freedom Rider Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr.

Ernest "Rip" Patton, Jr. holding a picture of himself during a visit to the Freedom Rides Museum in Montgomery, Alabama.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Mar 4, 2022

Facing History invites teachers to take a deeper dive into the histories and experiences of women around the nation in work with their students.

Mary Church Terrell in chair black and white photo

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Mar 2, 2022

Facing History invites educators to check out the following 5 classroom resources that offer a look at women making history in various contexts and/or contemporary experiences and contributions within various domains.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Feb 28, 2022

The approaches that Black leaders have embraced across space and time are numerous and have encompassed assimilationist and integrationist conceptions of social change, alongside contrasting approaches rooted in Black self-determination and nationalism.

Photo of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Talking

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Feb 25, 2022

In January, the nation stood still as we learned that renowned actor Sidney Poitier passed away at 94 years old. Poitier was both an actor and an activist—and despite a mixed array of perspectives over the years on the ways that he represented Black people in film—he undoubtedly played a leading role in African Americans’ fight for civil rights and more positive media representations from the silver screen to the streets.

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Mar 18, 2022

Facing History provides a list of five YA titles that have been released in the last year that make important themes in women’s history and contemporary life accessible to young readers.

Patriotic Graphic with Banner that reads Good Girls Don't Make History

Insight

by Kaitlin Smith

Mar 17, 2022

Facing History shares five books that have been released in the last year that address important themes in women’s history.

Book Cover of Woman: The American History of an Idea

Insight

by Facing History & Ourselves

Mar 14, 2022

Explore resources that offer additional points of entry that educators can use to situate the Ukrainian refugee crisis in broader global histories of displacement and highlight its connections to other refugee crises unfolding around the globe.

The definition of refugee spotlighted on a page

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Sequence of Study

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Sequence of Study

Explore these case studies

Holocaust and Human Behavior

The Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy

Teaching Mockingbird

Choices in Little Rock

Stolen Lives: The Indigenous Peoples of Canada and The Indian Residential Schools

Donate now and together we'll build a better world

You might also be interested in…

Why Genocide Recognition Matters

Today is the #WeNeedBlackTeachers Day of Action

Youth Activism and Grief on Earth Day

How to Build an Affirming Classroom in the Face of Anti-Trans Legislation

Remembering Rip Patton

10 Women Who Made History

5 Classroom Resources on Women's History

Competing Visions of Black Civic Participation

Remembering Sidney Poitier

5 New YA Books on Women's History

5 New Books on Women's History for 2022

4 Resources on Refugee Crises in Global Context

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