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.
Two-Column Note-Taking
Use this teaching strategy to help students learn how to take notes by identifying "key ideas" in one column and their "responses" in another column.
![Two students writing in a classroom](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Chicago_Classroom_2019_FH2101676.jpg?h=c11c9c1d&itok=TlOy-GAQ)
Two-Minute Interview
Students interview classmates to gather evidence and ideas about a topic as they practice being active listeners.
![Students in two lines facing and talking to each other.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221012.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=7muXHc1M)
Alphabet Brainstorm
This brainstorming exercise is a quick way to generate students’ thoughts, measure prior knowledge, or check learning.
![Students typing on laptops](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Cleveland_Classroom_2016_FH221925.jpg?h=6a1033c7&itok=lxqbzZEX)
Anticipation Guides
Get students thinking about the ideas and themes that they’ll encounter in a unit or a text.
![Students sit in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/SanFrancisco_Classroom_2017_FH152732_teaser.jpeg?h=56d0ca2e&itok=AT_XgrCo)
Barometer: Taking a Stand on Controversial Issues
Structure an active class discussion in which students express their opinions by standing along a continuum.
![Students discussing in pairs facing each other](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/Memphis_Classroom_2015_FH221010.jpg?h=10d202d3&itok=bm1hqy9J)
Bio-poem: Connecting Identity and Poetry
Students clarify aspects of their identity or the identity of a historical or literary figure by writing poems that focus on deeper elements of personal makeup like experiences, relationships, hopes, and interests.
Civic Agency and the Pursuit of Democracy
This elective, designed for New York’s Seal of Civic Readiness, intertwines the history of US Reconstruction, current events, and civic participation.
![Student speaking into microphone](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-08/IMG_2589.jpg?h=7d6ffc47&itok=GDIn4Fpw)
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)
Teaching Current Events: Educator Guide
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This guide includes tools and strategies for organizing discussions about current events in your classroom.
![Photo of students seated in a classroom.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/140_Bully_Summit%2C_2012%2C_LA%2C_142_for_Web_or_Office_Use.jpg?h=7fb2964e&itok=TfALDZt7)