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.
![A group of high school students sit at desks in conversation.](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_480/public/2023-10/AdobeStock_254378868.jpg?itok=f6YAphey)
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.
Stranger at the Gate Viewing Guide
Bring the short documentary film Stranger at the Gate into your classroom with the streaming video and companion guide of discussion questions and activities.
![Stranger at the Gate press image Smartypants.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-04/Stranger-085.jpg?h=f54bfa0f&itok=6HJSEUAP)
ELA Unit Planning Guide
This guide provides the framework and classroom resources to help you design an English Language Arts unit for middle or high school students centered around a book of your choosing.
![Three educators smile while sitting together working.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-03/Facing-History_SJLA_015_edit.jpg?h=c7420dc8&itok=PlL1FQ9c)
Common Core Writing Prompts and Strategies: Civil Rights Historical Investigation
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This resource connects our Civil Rights Historical Investigations unit with writing prompts that align with the expectations of the Common Core State Standards.
![Common Core: Civil Rights Cover](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/CommonCoreCivilRights_cvr.png?h=88ddef7e&itok=4J-1TEKp)
Democracy in Action: A Study Guide to Accompany the Film Freedom Riders
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Use this guide to the documentary film Freedom Riders to help students explore the stories of the brave activists who challenged segregation in the South in 1961.
![Democracy in Action: A Study Guide to Accompany the Film Freedom Riders](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Democracy_in_Action.jpg?h=50887407&itok=CFLQDGyp)
Centering Student Voice and Choice: A Book Club Guide
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Implement book clubs that build community and help students make meaningful connections to books they are excited to read.
![A close up of shelves in a school library filled with books of different sizes and colors.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/2017_library_FH256446.png?h=2992ba0a&itok=kS59ZPo5)
Teaching Brown Girl Dreaming
Teach a unit on Jacqueline Woodson's coming-of-age memoir in verse that invites students to reflect on their own experiences and identities.
![A girl leans against a wall while reading a book.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/iStock-1209693972.jpg?h=7bbcb45e&itok=b5N9XQ_7)
“This I Believe . . .” Personal Narrative
Use or adapt this coming-of-age unit assessment, which invites students to join thousands of others from across the globe in sharing their beliefs and values in short written and recorded statements.
![A student writes at their desk.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Chicago_Student_Writing_2019_%20FH2101601.jpg?h=2e5cdddf&itok=CxcPJc2-)
All-Community Read Guide: Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior
This planning guide will support your school community as you read the memoir of Judy Heumann, one of the most influential disability rights activists in US history.
![Student reading a book](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/6-6-14FacH00795.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=dwADfaYD)
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.
![African-American protesters picketing against Boston school segregation in 1963.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/neu_111423.jpeg?h=3884fb6d&itok=IyOyFLKA)
Exploring Civil Rights and Migration: 18-week Curriculum Outline
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Recommended for 7th and 8th-grade, this outline provides an instructional pathway for middle school educators to teach an 18-week curriculum exploring membership, belonging, and the power of individual and collective choices.
![Students working together in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/20150813_TreyClark_0826.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=yhllecYr)
Exploring Identity and Community: 18-week Curriculum Outline
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Recommended for 6th grade, this outline provides an instructional pathway for middle school educators to teach an 18-week curriculum exploring identity, family legacy, group membership and choices.