Upcoming Professional Development

In today’s world, questions of how to best build and maintain democratic societies that are pluralistic, open, and resilient to violence are more relevant than ever. Studying the Holocaust using Facing History’s approach allows students to wrestle with profound moral questions raised by this history and fosters their skills in ethical reasoning, critical thinking, empathy, and civic engagement—all of which are critical for sustaining democracy. 

How is it that a genocide widely covered in 1915 became a contested and denied history in subsequent years? Using primary sources and critical literacy skills, explore both the history of the Armenian genocide and the circumstances that have led to its denial.

Join Facing History as we model ideas for designing your own semester or year-long Facing History elective class.  Area Facing History elective teachers will share innovative and creative ways to incorporate Facing History resources and pedagogical approach in elective classes.

In this workshop you will discover new interdisciplinary teaching strategies that reinforce historical and literacy skills.

In today’s global climate, the urgency of sustaining democratic societies that are pluralistic, open, and resilient to violence is more pressing than ever. Studying the Holocaust and human behavior allows students to wrestle with profound moral questions raised by this history while fostering their skills in ethical and moral reasoning, critical analysis, empathy, and civic engagement—all of which are critical habits of mind for sustaining democracy.

This workshop introduces educators to Teaching Mockingbird, which incorporates civic education, ethical reflection, and historical context into a literary exploration of Harper Lee's beloved novel.

This workshop examines the events leading up to World War II in East Asia, the atrocities committed during the Japanese Imperial Army’s occupation of the city of Nanjing, China, in 1937, and the sexual enslavement of “Comfort Women.”

In collaboration with the National Museum of the American Indian in New York, we will examine the legacy and impact of two all-Indian boarding schools in the United States.

This workshop will focus on Facing History’s approach to bringing current events into the classroom.

Empower students to identify injustice with a literary and historical examination of Japanese American Incarceration during World War II. We will feature Facing History and Ourselves’ new educator’s guide to Jeanne Wakatusuki Houston’s memoir Teaching Farewell to Manzanar.

This workshop explores Facing History’s interdisciplinary approach to using Warriors Don’t Cry to help students deepen their understanding of our Choices in Little Rock unit.

Schindler’s List tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a war profiteer and member of the Nazi party who saved over 1,100 Jews during World War II. The movie explores the human capacity for monumental evil as well as for extraordinary courage, caring, and compassion. It turns history into an opportunity for moral reflection.

Join us for a one-day workshop that will navigate the “us” and “them” dynamics related to race in Chicago’s rich history and help us connect to broader historical themes which shed light on contemporary challenges.

What does it mean to be an American? How does a society integrate immigrants and how do immigrants transform societies? We will explore these questions through history and the contemporary realities of immigration in the United States.