What Does It Mean “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
Facing History shares a list of key components for a reflective classroom and provides educators with a number of resources to guide them in building their own.
![Gregory Peck (left) and Brock Peters in a pivotal scene from the 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird."](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/atticus_and_tom_robinson_in_court.gif?h=fa747474&itok=gA60t0Vr)
January 6th
The January 6th investigation has deepened widespread concerns about rising threats of fascism, racism, white nationalism, and other phenomena that undermine justice for all. But in analyses that focus primarily on the role of white nationalism fomented within media echo chambers, for example, commentators have overlooked what may be a more pervasive parallel phenomenon: the widespread crisis of faith in U.S. media and institutions at large.
![Photo of Two People Watching the News on TV](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/two_people_watch_news_tv.jpeg?h=140710cd&itok=9u-6fk5n)
Teaching about the January 6 Insurrection and its Impact on US Democracy
The January 6 insurrection remains important to understand and discuss, as well as the larger questions it raises about the state of US democracy. A recent poll found that 52% of young people between 18 and 29 believe that either US democracy is "in trouble" or "failed," while only 7% agree that it is "healthy," further highlighting the need to teach students about democratic institutions.
![Black and white photo of the US State House](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/b%26w_photo_us_state_house.png?h=a6c55029&itok=OVK2Jup-)
A New Type of Media Literacy
Learn about the risks new technologies pose to adults and adolescents and view resources available to help teach teenage students about media literacy, responsible use of social media, and surveillance capitalism.
![A person views a piece of news media on their phone.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-05/SocialMediaLiteracyHero.jpg?h=8e4088dc&itok=6GlBMRJf)
What I've Learned Along the Way
After 25 years of distinguished service to our organization, Dr. Karen Murphy, Facing History’s Director of International Strategy, will join our partner organization High Resolves as CEO of an initiative called The Human Responsibility Accelerator. In this article, we invited Karen to share a bit of what she has learned in more than two decades at Facing History.
![Photo of Dr. Karen Murphy teaching](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/karen_murphy_teaching_hands_raised.jpeg?h=06ac0d8c&itok=0XtPSmhB)
Why Teach Reconstruction Today?
Studying the history of Reconstruction reveals that American history is lined with recurring cycles of social progress and backlash in which everyday people have surmounted immense barriers to drive powerful change.
![Man representing the Freedman's Bureau stands between armed groups of Euro-Americans and Afro-Americans.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Freedman_bureau_harpers_cartoon_FH21213.jpg?h=83f3d97f&itok=jf0SD3Wz)
Ready or Nought, it’s Time to Face Race in the UK
Learn about impressions of Nought and Crosses and how it connects to the personal experiences of Facing History UK team members.
![A black and white hand on a red background.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Noughts%20and%20Crosses_Large.jpeg?h=903dff9f&itok=XYuV9bwM)
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)
Common Ground Revisited
Learn about the play Common Ground Revisited, which explores various ways that key historical actors may have experienced the 1970s school desegregation in Boston and the different ways that contemporary Bostonians relate to these historical events.
![Busing Information Phone Bank; City of Boston Mayor's Office in September 1974.](/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/Busing_Information_Phone%20Bank_City_Boston_Mayors_Office_September_1974.jpeg?h=18da7b47&itok=et7KRWL8)
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)
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)