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.
9 of Our Favorite Back-to-School Activities and Resources
Try these classroom activities and resources at the start of the year to build a foundation for learning all year long.
![Students and educator work on an assignment](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/221116-0215.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=R-Z5CpUh)
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)
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)
Honoring Harry Belafonte by Teaching Civil Rights
Build on Harry Belafonte's work toward realizing the full promise of our democracy with these civil rights resources.
![Marchers with signs at the March on Washington, 1963](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/Resistance_1963_MarchOnWashington_%20FH21262.jpg?h=9c99f020&itok=1rJhfCQU)
What Does a Current Event Lesson Look Like?
Three Facing History educators discuss how breaking news and world events are integrated into their classroom routine.
![Educators Banjineh “Op” Browne, Jennifer Staysniak, And Bridget Riley.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/Educators_Banjineh_%E2%80%9COp%E2%80%9D_Browne%2C_Jenny_Staysniak%2C_and_Bridget_Riley_for_Current_Events.jpg?h=d0c7edc2&itok=lWOGfZc_)
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)
Introducing Ideas This Week
Welcome! We've created a list to help you explore the best of what we have to offer. It covers topics including educator competencies, classroom resources, inspiring stories, and more.
![Picture of teacher in classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/2019_UK_Classroom_FH2177573.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=Zs3pE68x)
Exploring Audre Lorde’s Intersectionality
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian scholar, feminist, mother, and poet who challenged us to think about the intersectionality of politics and identity.
![A headshot of Audre Lorde taken in 1980; her finger rests on her chin, and she is looking down](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/Audre%20Lorde.jpg?h=e9403ca4&itok=ckSP80ub)
Sometimes Empathy is Hard for Teachers
The stresses of teaching can spread educators thin emotionally.
![Graphic image: woman sits at the computer and crying covering her face with her hands](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/WomanCryingAtDesk_Empathy_GraphicFH2187402.jpg?h=9e16a70f&itok=Z4bIGhGP)
Teaching LGBTQIA+ Students: Insights from Harvey Milk High School
In this interview, Harvey Milk High School staff discuss strategies for engaging with LGBTQIA+ students as an educator.
![LGBTQ pride flag on chalkboard.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/LGBTQPrideFlagChalkboard_iStock-929777058%20%281%29.jpeg?h=8e4088dc&itok=R2ov_E-w)