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.
Staging the Compelling Question
Students are introduced to the themes of the compelling question by exploring the concept of borders and learning about the Chinese Exclusion Act.
![Long border fence.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Long_border_fence_FH2185286.jpg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=ouYCfOSu)
Supporting Question 1: The History of the Angel Island Immigration Station
Students explore the supporting question “How did the Angel Island Immigration Station both reflect and enforce borders within American society?”
![Captain examines passengers aboard the The Shimyo Maru vessel.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Examining_Passengers_Among_The_Shimyo_Maru_1931_FH2186864.jpg?h=d71efc7d&itok=qdqQhkml)
Supporting Question 2: The Impacts of Detention on Immigrants and Their Descendants
Students explore the supporting question “How did border enforcement at the Angel Island Immigration Station impact immigrants and their descendants?”
![Angel Island Immigration Station Graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Angel_Island_Immigration_Station_Graphic_FH2185645.jpeg?h=76207c4d&itok=ATkcH65D)
Supporting Question 3: Navigating the Borders of National Belonging
Students explore the supporting question “How does the history of immigration through Angel Island help us understand how we create and challenge borders today?”
![Kala Bagai Way Banner](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Angel_Island_Kala_Baigai_Way_Banner_Cropped_FH2186768.jpg?h=48f19a7c&itok=AB3iL2ea)
"Home" by Warsan Shire
British-Somali poet Warsan Shire gives voice to the experiences of refugees in this poem about "home."
![Syrian refugees cross from Syria to Turkey via the Orontes River, near the village of Hacipasa, Turkey, Dec. 8, 2012. This image was one in a series of 20 by AP photographers that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/2013_SyrianRefugeesontheOrontesRiver_FH248167.jpg?h=c9f93661&itok=Gx3XIq0Q)
Laundrymen and Movies
Learn about the prejudice, stereotypes, and victimization Chinese and Chinese Americans faced in the US in the 1920s.
![This is a photograph of Wong Kim Ark from an federal immigration investigation case conducted under the Chinese Exclusion Acts (1882-1943).](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/1904_IdentificationPhotographonAffidavitforWongKimArk_FH2173435.jpg?h=7218466b&itok=ayWMLquu)
Migration Isn't Going to Stop: Salvadorans Join New Caravans Excerpt
In this excerpt from an Al Jazeera article, individuals from El Salvador describe the conditions that pushed them to migrate to the United States.
![Photo of Central American Migrants.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/WhyDoPeopleMigrate_RTX70WND_fullres_Medium_res.jpg?h=958cf23b&itok=KYhL_IVP)
People’s and Government’s Choices to Help Refugees
Excerpts from DW and NPR shed light on how individuals and governments are thinking about their responsibility to help Ukrainian refugees and non-European refugees.
![Ukrainian Refugees crossing a fallen bridge.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/2022_RussiaUkraineConflict_FH2168262.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=suTcwNTN)
Becoming American: The Chinese Experience Part One - Gold Mountain Dreams
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The first of a 3-part series explores the early years of Chinese immigration to the U.S.
![](/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1288.jpg)
Identity and Belonging (UK)
Author Sarfraz Manzoor writes about the experiences that shaped his understanding of what it means to be British and what it means to belong.
![Arms being raised in a crowd](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Belonging_Arms_FH229369_teaser.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=pStA0gd3)
The Chinese Exclusion Act
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A clip from a documentary that examines the origin, history and impact of the 1882 law that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens.
![Still image from the licensed PBS film, The Chinese Exclusion Act.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/chinese_exclusion_act_still_FH2186916.jpg?h=20b02921&itok=hoX-VPlS)