Teaching with the News: Free lessons connect your classroom to headlines in the news.
The Ukraine Crisis
In this lesson, students explore the current situation in Ukraine and its historical origins; analyze political cartoons; identify the techniques used by cartoonists to express political opinion; and monitor the crisis and consider international responses.
State of the Union Addresses: An Interactive Video Timeline
This lesson allows students to examine the constitutional origins of the State of the Union Address, explore an interactive video timeline of significant moments in twentieth century SOTU Addresses, and develop the analytical skills and habits of citizenship as they view and assess President Biden’s 2022 State of the Union Address.
Refugee Stories: Mapping a Crisis
In this updated lesson, students examine maps, data, and broader trends in the global refugee crisis, and then explore the stories and experiences of individuals. Ultimately, students consider the U.S. and international response to the crisis.
#StopAAPIHate and the Importance of Studying Difficult Histories
In this lesson, students consider why it is important to study “difficult histories” as they examine primary and secondary sources that reveal the long history of anti-AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) racism in the United States.
Taking It to the Streets: Global Protests During the Pandemic
In this lesson, students examine photographs of protests from various countries around the world, develop research questions and conduct research into specific protests, and analyze some of the similarities and differences regarding the causes of street protests and governmental responses to them.
The Costs of War
In this lesson, students examine data from the Costs of War Project to explore the geography and scope as well as the human, economic, social, and political costs of the War on Terror, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Students also consider how an analysis of the wars’ costs should influence current and future U.S. foreign policy.
Oral History and September 11
In this lesson, students explore the human dimension of the September 11 attacks by conducting an interview and considering the benefits and limitations of using oral history to learn about the past.
Processing the Pandemic: Remembering a Year of COVID-19 Through Political Cartoons
In this lesson, students analyze political cartoons that not only reflect the events of the times, but also offer interpretations and express strong opinions about pandemic events and experiences.
Juneteenth: Symbolism, Ritual, and Meaning
Juneteenth has been designated as a national holiday to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. In this lesson, students learn about the history of the Juneteenth holiday, analyze text sources that reveal important symbolism and rituals in Juneteenth commemorations, and research local celebrations of Juneteenth.
“Never Again is Now”: Incarceration Histories and Solidarity
Students explore how knowledge of history can inspire activism and build solidarity across communities. Students use primary sources to compare and contrast Japanese American incarceration in WWII and contemporary migrant detention.
“This Is Not Who We Are.” Or Is It? Historians Contextualize the Capitol Riot
In this lesson, students will work together to explore six different excerpted articles from historians and scholars who, in the days after the Capitol riot, sought to provide historical context for the events of January 6.
From Washington to Biden: Comparing Inaugural Addresses
Students read or view past presidential inaugural addresses, analyze their messages, and discuss their visions for the country. Students will then view and analyze Biden’s address, discuss their findings, express their own views, and reflect on the purpose and meaning of presidential inaugural addresses.
Voting in 2020: Values and Policies During a Pandemic
Students assess the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the 2020 election; identify and prioritize the values that shape their personally held beliefs; explore the presidential candidates’ positions on key policy issues; and gather evidence to analyze an issue and its role in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
When the Games Stop: Athletes Unite in Historic Sports Shutdown
Students explore the perspectives, motivations, and goals of athletes protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake, analyze polling data, examine primary sources, and consider the achievements and limitations of collective action by athletes.
Black Lives Matter, the Killing of George Floyd, and the Long Fight for Racial Justice
Students review a timeline of Black activism, identify patterns and themes, consider accomplishments of civil rights activists and the enduring obstacles to racial equality, and evaluate platforms for activism and the role of social media in protests.
Taking It to the Streets: A Year of Global Protests
Students examine photographs of protests from around the world, analyze the origins and causes of protest movements, and identify similarities, differences, and patterns.
Teaching About Controversial Issues: A Resource Guide
This resource guide provides teachers with resources and pedagogical tools to feel more prepared to address controversial issues in the classroom.
Seeking Asylum in the United States
Students review a timeline of major laws and policies related to asylum in the U.S.
Resource Guide: Transgender Identities and Rights
A collection of resources that may prove useful to educators looking to learn more about transgender identity, discuss transgender identity in the classroom, and to support transgender students.
#WontBeErased: Source Analysis
Students read a general overview text about transgender identity in the United States and analyze social media posts as sources about transgender identity today.
Gerrymandering: One Person, One Vote?
In this lesson students understand the reasons for and process of redistricting after a census.
An Interactive Timeline: U.S. Immigration Policy, Past and Present
Students review a timeline of U.S. immigration policy and laws from European colonization to today, collaboratively synthesize their findings, and present them to the class.
Syrian Refugees: Understanding Stories with Comics
In this lesson, students will read stories of Syrian refugees to learn more about the ongoing civil war and refugee crisis in Syria.
Myanmar and the Rohingya
In this free Teaching with the News lesson, students learn more about the Rohingya people of Myanmar and the current conflict.
History in Dispute: Charlottesville and Confederate Monuments
In this lesson students will understand the idea of historical memory and contextualize the August 2017 events in Charlottesville within a larger historical controversy.
Values and Public Policy
Students identifying values as a way to understand the views of others, find common ground where it exists, and work together to find ways to form policy.
Famine Today: The Greatest Humanitarian Crisis Since World War II
In this lesson students learn about two historical famines and the current food crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.