Facing History & Ourselves

If you're an ELA teacher looking to plan your own book unit, it can be tough to know where to begin. Facing History is here to help—click through to discover our ELA Unit Planning Guide, which coaches you through our time-tested pedagogical approach to designing a literature unit that centers students’ identities and experiences as young adults in the world today. https://bit.ly/4vdKfaY

Planning to teach America's 250th anniversary in your classroom next year? Watch this fast-paced on-demand virtual Resource Slam—featuring partner orgs including the Center for Civic Education, KQED, National Writing Project, and PBS LearningMedia—to discover practical tools that will engage your students with history, media, and civic voice.

America 250: Engaging Students with History, Media & Civic Voice Discover classroom-ready civics resources to support teaching the America 250th anniversary in this fast-paced virtual resource sharing session.

Heads up, social studies educators: From July 14-16, we're hosting an interactive seminar that centers on our exciting new Civic Education Curriculum Collection. Drawing on our dynamic approach to civic education, attendees will explore lessons from history—including the Delano grape strike and the 1957 desegregation of Little Rock Central High School—to explore the decisions that people, groups, and institutions make as members of a democracy. You'll leave with classroom-ready tools and resources to help your students grapple with the legacies of history and empower them to reflect upon the issues and dilemmas that shape civic life today. Click through for more details and sign up today while you still can! https://bit.ly/4uvkXEq

Why did so many of us miss essential parts of US history in school—and why do we sometimes feel feelings like guilt, shame, and disbelief when we encounter them later? On June 24 at 1pm EST, we're hosting an interactive talk with scholar Dr. Dolly Chugh that will help participants work through these emotions, gaining new tools to engage and build resilient, hopeful civic participation. Click through to learn more and we can't wait to see you for this meaningful conversation.

A More Just Future Join an interactive talk on the history you might have missed and gain new tools to engage and build resilient, hopeful civic participation.

On this day in 1929, the diarist and Holocaust victim Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Although she tragically only lived to be 15, her legacy has echoed for more than 80 years since her passing thanks to her powerful and evocative writing. As we celebrate her life and impact, today we're sharing an article that highlights the importance of diaries and journals as a way to remind us of the role that our choices play in shaping the future.

Historical Diaries and Journals as a People's History Historical diaries and journals help us picture what it was like to live in the past and remind us of the role that our choices play in shaping the future.

Attention ELA teachers: You still have time to register for our summer PD offerings! Built upon Facing History’s time-tested pedagogical approach, attendees will develop foundational competencies including nurturing student-centered classrooms and promoting inquiry-based learning. Explore our slate of seminars and workshops on topics like Borders and Belonging, Holocaust literature, and Coming of Age texts. https://bit.ly/4o7ysIE

On this day in 1980, the African National Congress published Nelson Mandela's first major political statement from prison. Calling for unity and continued resistance against racist apartheid policies, it foreshadowed a growing international movement for his cause. Click through to discover a Facing History lesson on the anti-apartheid movement in the 1970s and 80s that ultimately brought about the end of the regime.

Introduction: Growing Resistance Meets Growing Repression Learn about the figures and events of the 1970s and 80s anti-apartheid movement that succeeded in bringing the National Party to the negotiating table with resistance leaders.

Our upcoming PD opportunities for social studies teachers are grounded in Facing History’s time-tested approach and designed to help you better prepare students to be active and informed participants in civic life. Join us this summer to explore innovative instructional strategies and engage with curricular resources created by subject matter experts.

Check out offerings on topics including the Reconstruction era, democracy and civic education, the Holocaust, and more. https://bit.ly/3RSH0qP

Attention ELA educators: From July 7-9, this summer seminar will explore our Borders and Belonging collection that centers the complicated world of belonging and the tangible and intangible borders that can shape it. This interactive three-day seminar will explore this modular collection through our time-tested pedagogical approach, giving you classroom resources and tools that will help your students consider their own ability to cultivate a sense of belonging for themselves and others and develop their capacity to participate fully in conversations across differences. As we think back on 250 years of American history, understanding these themes is more important than ever. Click through for more information and register today!

Exploring Borders and Belonging: A Summer 2026 Seminar for ELA Educators Join us as we explore our newest collection for ELA educators that highlights stories that explore the complicated world of belonging.