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.
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)
Approaching Election Season as a Teaching Opportunity
Educators have the opportunity to empower students to become active participants in our democracy.
![Young Woman Affixing a Vote Button on Her Shirt](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/Young%20Woman%20Affixing%20a%20Vote%20Button%20on%20Her%20Shirt%20-%20square%20sizing.png?h=5b6e9454&itok=834oESRr)
World Day of Social Justice Activities
Students can explore ways to bring about meaningful change with this collection of resources and journal prompts.
![Person Holding Sign above their head that says More Equality More Love](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-02/Person%20Holding%20Sign%20aboe%20their%20head%20that%20says%20More%20Equality%20More%20Love%20%28FH2201203%29.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=ie1tftT2)
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)
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)
Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship Lesson Plan Ideas
Use these media literacy and digital citizenship lesson plans to foster students’ digital literacy and spur healthy habits around media and technology use.
![Three girls sitting on a couch in a studio](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-10/pexels-cottonbro-studio-5998698.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=5bZbZPo2)
A Gift for Your Classroom: Free Poster Download
Use our classroom posters to help foster a thoughtful and reflective learning environment.
![Classroom posters collage of Facing History & Ourselves upstanders](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/FY24ClassroomPosters_AllCollage.jpg?h=6eb229a4&itok=IkxAiVey)
Core Principles for Teaching about Freedom and Democracy in US History
Facing History outlines four ways to help your students connect with our C3-aligned US history inquiry.
![Magnifying Glass Over United States Map](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Magnifying_glass_over_United_States_in_a_map.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=HnZlQvww)
Revisiting “The Hill We Climb”
Amanda Gorman's poem speaks to a shared American experience that resonates with youth and inspires hope.
![National youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman recites her inaugural poem during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, Pool)](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-05/AP_21020703530611_fullres.jpg?h=68813a66&itok=-3PF1h0C)
One Teacher Speaks to the Power of Our Current Events Collection
Current events come along fast—Facing History gives educators what they need when they need it to reflect on world events with care.
![Image of antimated teacher asking "How will I address this with students tomorrow?""](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/BridgetRileyInterview_Frame2_0.png?h=ba6fe428&itok=ONEmOR2i)
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)