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Equality, sports, and Title IX - Erin Buzuvis and Kristine Newhall

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25 Women's History Month Facts

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Did you know that Women's History Month first started as a Day and a Week? We didn't either! Learn more about these Women's History Month facts and more with this list that is perfect to share with your students.

The first Women's History Day took place in 1909.

The first Woman's History Day took place on February 28, 1909, in New York City. It commemorated the one-year anniversary of the 15,000 women who marched in the garment workers' strikes.

International Women's Day became a holiday in 1911.

We celebrate International Women's Day on March 8th.

Women's History Day became Women's History Week in 1978.

The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women planned and launched a "Women's History Week" celebration in 1978. Learn more about the history of Women's History Month in this video from PBS Kids.

Women's History Month began in 1987.

After being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated the month of March 1987 as "Women's History Month."

Every Women's History Month has a theme. The 2022 theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope."

This theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history."

Wyoming Territory was the first place to grant women the right to vote.

The legislature gave every woman the right to vote in 1869.

The first female state governor was Nellie Tayloe Ross.

She was elected in Wyoming in 1924.

The 19th amendment didn't give all women the right to vote.

The 19th amendment was signed into law on August 26, 1920. Unfortunately, at the time, other laws prohibited Native American, Black, Asian American, and Latinx women from voting. Learn more about Women's Suffrage in this video by Highlights Kids.

Geraldyn "Jerrie" Cobb was the first woman to pass astronaut testing in 1961.

Unfortunately, Cobb wasn't allowed to travel to space due to her gender.

Caroline Herschel was one of the first women scientists invited to join the Royal Society.

Throughout her long career, she discovered eight comets, received the Gold Medal from the Royal Astronomical Society, and helped discover the planet, Uranus. Learn more about Caroline Herschel in this video for kids.

Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to earn a medical degree in the U.S.

In 1849, she was instrumental in opening up the field of medicine for women, mentoring many women who went on to careers in the field. Dr. Blackwell also focused on providing better health care for women and children. Learn more in this video from Scholastic.

Title IX was passed on March 1, 1972.

Title IX prohibits discrimination due to sex in federally funded education programs. Learn more in this video from TED-Ed.

Women couldn't get credit cards until 1974.

Congress passed the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974, which allowed women to get credit cards in their own name.

Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a wooden barrel.

On October 24, 1901, Taylor, a forty-three-year-old schoolteacher from Michigan, headed over the falls and survived!

Women outlive men in almost every society.

The average life expectancy at birth is 79 years for women, 72 years for men. Scientists aren't entirely sure why but think it might have to do with the estrogen's ability to improve immune function.

Women make up 16 percent of active-duty military members.

This ranges from about 8 percent in the Marine Corps to 19 percent in the Air Force.

Marie Curie was the first woman to receive two Nobel prizes.

Her first award was for physics for her work on spontaneous radiation with her husband, with her second being in Chemistry for her studies of radioactivity. Learn more in this video from TED-Ed.

Jane Addams was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Jane Addams pioneered the concept of social work by opening Hull House in Chicago in 1889. She also co-founded the ACLU and was a staunch pacifist throughout her life. Her prize honored her commitment to improving the quality of life for humanity.

Madam C. J. Walker was the first Black female millionaire in the U.S.

When a medical condition caused her to lose much of her hair, Madam Walker invented a treatment system that completely revolutionized Black hair care. Learn more in this video for kids by The Wise Channel.

Charlotte E. Ray was the first Black American female lawyer in the U.S.

She graduated from Howard University School of Law in 1872. Learn more in this Little Leaders Read Aloud.

At the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, women could only compete in figure skating.

In the 2022 Winter Olympics, women could participate in 44 events!

Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Referred to as the "Queen of Soul," Franklin has placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" two times! Learn more in this Little People, Big Dreams read aloud.

Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

She served as a justice from 1981-2006. Learn more about Sandra Day O'Connor in this video from WonderGrove Kids.

In 1739 Elizabeth Timothy became the first female in the American colonies to assume the role of publisher and editor of a newspaper.

This was for the South Carolina Gazette.

Kamala Harris was the first woman vice president.

She assumed office as vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021.

Do you have any Women's History Month facts to share? Please post in the comments below!

Sources for Women's History Month facts include Woman's Day, MastersDegree.net, Furia Rubel, and People.

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Did you know that Women's History Month first started as a Day and a Week? We didn't either! Learn more about these Women's History Month facts and more with this list that is perfect to share with your students. The first Woman's History Day took place on February 28, 1909, in New York City.

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30 of Our Favorite Women's History Month Activities

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March is Women's History Month, coinciding with International Women's Day on March 8. It's a time to recognize the achievements of remarkable women from around the globe throughout history. This roundup of Women's History Month activities celebrates artists, scientists, leaders, and more women who made their mark.

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From the National Women's History Museum

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Explore all of the resources the National Women’s History Museum has created. There are lesson plans, biographies, posters, primary sources, and more. You can search by topic, theme, or resource type.

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How to Celebrate MLK Day: Service Learning Resources 

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How to Celebrate MLK Day: Service Learning Resources 

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Honoring MLK Day: 11 Resources for Service Learning

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We’ve gathered links to a number of organizations dedicated to service and service learning to help you incorporate some of these themes in your classroom.

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Day of Service Lesson Plan/Project for Grades 3-5

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Day of Service Lesson Plan/Project for Grades 3-5

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Young people grow involved in service by following the lead of service models and by taking action in a variety of projects. In this unit, youth get inspiration from the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and get involved by growing and sharing flowers, writing kind notes, and making and donating art.

This unit contains opportunities for youth service, such as growing flowers to give, creating art, and writing kind notes.

Children listen and respond to a biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They discuss the importance of kind acts and service to others. They reflect on a quotation by Dr. King and apply it to their own lives.

Children get inspiration from a story about kindness and community, and they identify acts of service and kindness (philanthropy) they can do for people they care about.

After reading the book The Librarian of Basra by Jeanette Winter children talk about the importance of books to any community. They discuss ways to take action for the good of the community related to literature.

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Young people grow involved in service by following the lead of service models and by taking action in a variety of projects. In this unit, youth get inspiration from the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and get involved by growing and sharing flowers, writing kind notes, and making and donating art.

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Teaching Black History can be done in a more culturally-responsive and enduring way when it is integrated with an inquiry-based approach that enables students to interact with essential questions related to, say, the Black experience or the fight for racial justice. This website has some inquiry-based unit ideas that are ready for February - or any time!

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2020 was a year of monumental change. It was a year of activism, strength, and inspiration. It showed everyone what courage, collaboration, and determination looks like. Furthermore, it provided students around the world with a starting point from which conversations, questions, and inquiries about civil rights, black history, and equality could stem from.

Black History Month provides an excellent opportunity for teachers and educators to foster a sense of the importance of black culture and contributions within our students. While our efforts to be more inclusive and diverse in the classroom may be moving in the right direction, we should take note of the questions, gaps, and misconceptions that many students still have when it comes to black history. The fact that many students can't name a black author, or believe the Underground Railroad was a literal railroad that ran underground, speaks to our duty as educators to provide more opportunities for incorporating black history, authors, artists, and change-makers into our lesson plans. Below are some ways to infuse your lessons this February (and throughout the year) with inquiry-rich black history ideas.

Question: How have black inventors shaped our modern world?

Process:

1. Students explore the contributions of African-American inventors, educators, scientists, and all-around heroes by reading books (suggestions below), browsing articles and newspapers, and having conversations with peers and family members.

2. Help students generate further questions they have about the contributions of African-Americans. For example:

How did their early life shape their interests and career paths?

What impacts did their invention have on the United States / Canada?

How were their inventions received at the time?

What barriers did they overcome?

How did the social climate affect the level of success they achieved?

3. Students dive into their inquiries by answering their questions, and recording information, their thoughts, and their wonderings. Teachers help students consider the best way to present their information. Furthermore, discuss with students why it is significant and meaningful to the broader conversation of black history. This may take the form of an infographic, a timeline, a short video, or a presentation.

4. Students share their findings with the class, school, or wider community. Encourage students to focus on the impact their inventor or invention had on the world, and what challenges they faced at the time of their contribution. Also consider having students reflect on what the world would be like without these inventions, and how they were able to create change. It is important that students can make these connections, as this gives meaning to their work.

Suggested Resources:
Have You Thanked an Inventor Today? Black Women in Science Black History Month Lessons & Resources (by grade) 100 African-Americans Who Shaped History
Question: What roles did black people play in historical events?

Process:

1. Students generate a list of conflicts from the past few centuries. This can be done as a class, in groups, or in pairs. Some (but not all) examples include the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, and both WWI and WWII. Discuss the impact of these events and how they shaped our modern world. Finally, students choose a historical event to investigate, focusing on the specific contributions of African-Americans.

2. Through research and conversations, students piece together the contributions of African-Americans in the conflict of their choice. There is opportunity for students to reach out to museums, art galleries, and historical organizations to speak with representatives, donors, or members of these places. Through these conversations, students may gain further insight into the role African-Americans played in their chosen conflict. Additionally, students may be put in touch with people who could provide first-hand or second-hand accounts of these events through direct personal involvement, familial ties, diaries, or other primary source documents.

3. Teachers facilitate the discovery process and meet with students one-on-one to discuss how best to present their findings. Perhaps students would like to create a historical scrapbook or an interactive timeline. Moreover, students may prefer to design an online museum exhibition, or create a documentary-style video showcasing the results of their inquiry. There is a lot of room to be creative here!

Suggested Resources:
Black History Milestones African-American History African-American History Timeline
The Great Book of Black Heroes (published in 2021)

Question: How did black Canadians contribute to the creation of Canada?

Process:

1. Students engage in a variety of lessons surrounding the history and creation of Canada. Radio Canada International has a page all about black Canadians who contributed to the building of Canada. Discuss notable Canadians who shaped the political, economic, and/or social progress of Canada. Finally, students choose one person or organization who they would like to focus their inquiry on.

2. Through research and conversations, students piece together the contributions of black Canadians to the development of Canada. Explore the ways their selected person or organization impacted the laws, culture, or society in Canada. Their research can focus on the development of Canada as a country, or the development of a specific place within Canada. For example, students may wish to investigate Black Nova Scotians in Canada and the founding of Africville. Another inquiry route could be to explore the work that the BC Black History Awareness Society has done to create an awareness of the history of black people in British Columbia. More examples of black contributions to Canadian history can be downloaded from the Historica Canada document (PDF).

3. In terms of sharing information, students have lots of choice. Some options include a physical or virtual timeline or small exhibit, a diorama, a digital scrapbook, or a short documentary. Regardless of presentation, students should be encouraged to reflect on the impact that black Canadians had on the formation of Canada, and ask themselves the following questions upon completion:

In what ways did black Canadians shape Canada economically, politically, socially, or culturally?

What might Canada look like today without these important contributions?

How does recognizing and honouring these contributions help all Canadians?

What does it truly mean to be Canadian?

Suggested Resources:
Black History in Canada The Patchwork Path Canada Library Archives - Black History Canadian History in 50 Events
Question: What is the relationship between oppression and resistance?

Process:

1. Students begin by discussing the definitions of oppression and resistance. As a class, or in groups, students investigate the relationship between oppression and resistance. Discuss as a class that resistance often follows oppression, and throughout history there have been several instances of this power struggle, particularly for minority groups. To begin this inquiry, students can choose to focus on one specific instance where oppression led to resistance, or they can compile several events where this relationship was evident. Additionally, students can choose to explore the Black Lives Matter movement, and analyze it through the lens of oppression and resistance.

2. There is tremendous opportunity during the investigation stage for students to include various voices from within their school, neighbourhood, and community. In particular, if students are investigating the Black Lives Matter movement, teachers should encourage them to reach out to members of their community to gain their perspective. Students should be made aware that not everybody will view the protests as positive, and that some opinions may challenge their own. Although this might be shocking or unsettling for students, they need to understand that not everyone will see things the way they do.

3. Creating a presentation that is both informative and inclusive, as well as sensitive to their peers and wider community, might pose challenges for students. For example, sharing the results of a community dialogue surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement might reveal undertones of racism that could make students feel angry or offended. It is important in these cases to confront racial privilege and challenge bias about the history of black people. To quote educator Emily Chan, "everyone gains when we broaden the lens through which we see ourselves."

Suggested Resources:
Black History Month Educator Guide (PDF) Do's and Don'ts of Teaching Black History Using Inquiry to Teach Social Justice Critical Inquiry Social Justice Unit Plan Why Black History Month Still Matters
It is important that teachers recognize and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of the black community. Hopefully the ideas above gave you some ideas and inspiration for exploring Black History Month in your classroom! If you have any other ideas to share, please leave a comment below, or join the discussion on Instagram!

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4 Powerful and Purposeful Inquiry Questions for Teaching Black History - Learning by Inquiry

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Black History Month provides an excellent opportunity for teachers and educators to foster a sense of the importance of black culture and contributions within our students.

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Learning for Justice [Free Racial Justice Resources/Lessons]

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Learning for Justice [Free Racial Justice Resources/Lessons]

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Formerly known as Teaching Tolerance, Learning for Justice offers FREE educational resources focused on racial justice, equity, and community. Sign up to access instructional resources, webinars, grants, films, and more! They currently have over 1,000 instructional materials and resources on MLK's legacy and the Civil Rights Movement.

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Learning for Justice is a community education program of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) that centers civic and political action education for everyone.

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Representation is important! Help your students see that neurodiversity exists all around us, and that neurodivergence is not something that holds you back.

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This is week, (13th – 19th March 2023) is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Here, one of o…

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Boston area educators need look no further than Beacon Hill for rich Black History. Dig deep into local history with resources provided by the Boston African American National Historic Site and the Museum of African American History in Boston and Nantucket (which has great education programs, too!)

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Boston African American National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

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Centered on the north slope of Beacon Hill, the African American community of 19th century Boston led the city and the nation in the fight against slavery and injustice. These remarkable men and women, together with their allies, were leaders in the Abolition Movement, the Underground Railroad, the…

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Celebrating Neurodiversity; 9 Notable Autistic People

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Celebrating Neurodiversity; 9 Notable Autistic People

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Some of the most influential and internationally-recognized names today include outstanding autistic people. From actors and activists to athletes and entrepreneurs, these nine people have made and are continuing to make an everlasting impact felt around the world. Their incredible successes and achievements are an important representation of the fact that neurodiverse and autistic people can lead independent, fulfilling and exceptional lives without limitations.

As we celebrate Autism Acceptance Month throughout April, we're highlighting nine notable autistic people who have shared their neurodiversity stories with the world. By sharing their diagnoses, these well-known individuals are helping to promote inclusion, acceptance and ultimately changing lives.

Greta Thunberg

Greta Thunberg (b. 2003) is a global leader in the fight for action against climate change. In August 2018, at the age of 15, she led the Skolstrejk för Klimatet: "School Strike for Climate" protest outside of the Swedish Parliament. Now known as Fridays for Future, the movement has grown to include over 14 million people in 7,500 cities on all seven continents. In 2019, she was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. When speaking about her autism diagnosis, Greta said "The diagnosis was almost only positive for me. It helped me get the support I needed and made me understand why I was like this." Given her enormity of her platform, she is, unfortunately, no stranger to negative comments from people. When addressing her critics in 2019 she said "I have Asperger's syndrome and that means I'm sometimes a bit different from the norm. And - given the right circumstances - being different is a superpower." Her autism "superpower" has fueled her to find her purpose and focus tirelessly in her fight for climate action.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd (b.1952) is an Emmy-winning actor, writer, comedian and musician who has starred in dozens of films and television shows. He's best known for his four-year run on Saturday Night Live and his roles in The Blues Brothers and Ghostbusters. As a child, he saw a behavior analyst and was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome. In an interview, he said that he was able to "overcome it and channel it creatively." It wasn't until the 80's when his wife encouraged him to see a doctor that he was formally diagnosed with Asperger's. Thinking back to his younger years, he says that he would get "absorbed in a look, a face, a voice when I was a kid in the mirror." One symptom of his Asperger's was his "obsession with ghosts and law enforcement - I carry around a police badge with me, for example. I became obsessed with Hans Holzer, the greatest ghost hunter ever." It was with that focus that his idea for Ghostbusters was born. The movie went on to gross $295 million and inspired sequels, spin-offs, video games and more, thanks to his creativity and fearlessness.

Sir Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins (b. 1937) is a two time Academy Award- and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor whose career has spanned decades. He is best known for his roles in The Silence of the Lambs, Legends of the Fall, Westworld and The Father. He shared that he was diagnosed with Asperger's in 2014 at the age of 77. When speaking about his diagnosis, he said "It doesn't affect me-I am obsessive. It's a great gift, actually. I was a bit slow as a school kid, and so I made up for it by working hard, and I became, you know, a successful actor. Obsessiveness about the details. I will work and work and work on the script and I learn every single line." He's also credited his autism to being able to deconstruct characters and see them in a different way than anyone else. He has used his uniqueness to share his talents with fans of the arts worldwide.

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin (b. 1947) is an animal behaviorist, academic, and author of dozens of scientific papers on animal behavior in addition to several books. At the age of two, Temple was incorrectly diagnosed with brain damage and was recommended to be institutionalized. Shortly thereafter, her mother sought out world-leading special needs researchers who began speech therapy, making a huge difference in what was to become the rest of her life. Despite difficulty in school, she was fascinated by and became an expert in livestock handling and an advocate for the treatment of livestock for slaughter. She went on to pursue a higher education and received her doctorate in 1989. She has used her platform to bring awareness to autism and neurodiversity and is an enormous proponent of early intervention, sharing how therapy made all the difference to her growth as a child and throughout her life. In 2010, a semi-biographical film entitled Temple Grandin, based on her life's work, was released. Starring Claire Danes, the film won both Golden Globe and Emmy wins, the latter of which Temple was on stage to participate in the acceptance of the award. The same year, she was fittingly named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the "Heroes" category.

Daryl Hannah

Daryl Hannah (b. 1960) is an actress best known for her roles in the movies Splash and Steel Magnolias. More recently, she has dedicated her life to environmental activism and supporting sustainable solutions to fight climate change. Daryl was diagnosed with autism at the age of five by a doctor who advised she be put in an institution. Despite Daryl sharing that she felt shy and isolated in school, her mother refused. She fell in love with movies around the same time and started her successful career as an actor at the age of 17. As an adult, she still has symptoms that she's able to manage, such as rocking. Despite her shyness, she uses her voice to speak out for the causes she's passionate about.

Susan Boyle

Susan Boyle (b. 1961) is a Scottish singer who catapulted to fame on the television show Britain's Got Talent. At her audition, she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical Les Miserables and shocked the judges and audience with her immense talent. Susan was misdiagnosed as having slight brain damage as a newborn due to complications during birth. It wasn't until she was 51-years-old that she was correctly diagnosed with autism. When she voluntarily went to see a specialist, she also found out that she has an above average IQ. When speaking about her diagnosis, she said "I think people will treat me better because they will have a much greater understanding of who I am and why I do the things I do." Susan's career has been immensely successful, with her first studio album released in November 2009 becoming the fastest-selling album in the UK that year.

Elon Musk (b. 1971) is known as the second-richest person in the world, a businessman and an entrepreneur, having played major roles in companies including Tesla, SpaceX, the Boring Company, and most recently, Twitter. In 2021, Elon hosted Saturday Night Live and in his opening monologue shared: "I'm actually making history tonight as the first person with Asperger's to host SNL, or at least, the first to admit it." Shortly after his announcement, he opened up about his diagnosis during a TED Talk. He shared that his childhood was difficult; he had difficulty picking up on social cues and was bullied. He mentioned that he "read a lot of books. I read lots and lots of books. Gradually, I understood more [social cues] from the books I was reading." His ability to be hyper-focused lent him to quickly learn how to program computers which ultimately set him on the beginning of his career path with Zip2, an online city guide. After decades in business, he is arguably one of the most successful and influential people in the world and has given a well-recognized face and voice to the autism community.

Armani Williams

Armani Williams (b. 2000) is a professional stock car racing driver. He is also the first known NASCAR driver to be open about sharing and discussing his autism diagnosis. Armani was nonverbal during the first three years of his life and was diagnosed with autism when he was two years old. In thinking about his future and development, his parents sent him to a two-week course designed to teach children with autism how to ride a bike. On the very first day, he was able to master riding a bike without any training or balance support. It was at that moment that they knew Armani had a gift. Not long after, the family visited a local amusement park where he fell in love with the go-kars, riding them over and over again. At the age of just eight years old, he was racing go-karts competitively. He quickly progressed to racing different types of race cars. Armani shares that his autism is a strength when he races, stating "Every driver has focus, but because I have autism, I have a laser-like focus; you have to almost like, be the car." He has also used his platform to be a champion for autism awareness, stating "I wanted to take that role in providing a lot of hope and inspiration for people in the autism community - to inspire people to keep pushing forward and understand that you can do anything in this world that you set your mind to."

Clay Marzo (b. 1989) is a professional surfer who lives in Hawaii and has appeared in several documentaries and films. He began both swimming and surfing competitively at a young age. At the age of ten, he won Hawaii's 200-meter freestyle event, and at eleven, he won third place at the National Scholastic Surfing Association Nationals competition. It was there that he signed a professional surfer contract with the Quiksilver team. Clay struggled socially throughout his childhood and was hyper-focused on swimming and surfing, finding calm in the water. He was diagnosed with autism at the age of 18. He later wrote a book which was also followed by a documentary of the same name, Clay Marzo: Just Add Water, that chronicles his journey as a professional surfer and finding solace and success in the water while managing his autism.

*Asperger's Syndrome is a now-outdated term. The symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome are included in what is known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
**Many self-advocates from the autism community have indicated a preference for the phrase "autistic person" rather than "person with autism," as they consider autism to be a core component of their identity; as part of ALP's commitment to providing neurodiversity-affirming care that uplifts the lived experiences and preferences of those we serve, we have used the phrase "autistic person" throughout this blog post.

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Celebrating Neurodiversity; 9 Notable Autistic People - Autism Learning Partners

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Celebrating Neurodiversity; 9 Notable Autistic People Some of the most influential and internationally-recognized names today include outstanding autistic people. From actors and activists to athletes and entrepreneurs, these nine people have made and are continuing to make an everlasting impact felt around the world.

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Classroom Resources for Black History Month

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Classroom Resources for Black History Month

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As you’re considering how to weave in authentic Black History narratives to your curriculum this February, check out this multimedia resource site from PBS, created specifically for teachers to use in classrooms

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Commemorate Black History Month in your classroom with lesson plans and resources that cover topics ranging from civil rights events to discussions about race in current events. These lessons are appropriate for history, ELA and social studies classrooms, and include resources for students in middle or high school.

This resource page includes a quick guide to the March on Washington, an interactive timeline of the civil rights movement and a glossary of terms. Use these to get started on your classroom curriculum.

In this lesson for middle and high school students, students analyze what "The American Dream" means and what role racial discrimination may play in failing to attain that dream.

Help your students connect to the rich imagery of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech by learning the history of the speech and then illustrating some of its most famous lines in this creative lesson plan.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s delivered his most memorable speech, "I Have a Dream," on August 28, 1963 before more than 200,000 people at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Students will learn about the social, cultural and political circumstances which gave rise to the Harlem Renaissance. They will also learn about the influences that inspired the work of the Harlem Renaissance's artists and musicians. Finally, students will be given several opportunities to create their own Harlem Renaissance inspired work.

Martin Luther King., Jr. dreamed of an America where people could "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Use this lesson plan to start a discussion in your classroom about where we are on the path to realizing this dream.

Explore and discuss the history and context around the Juneteenth holiday in the United States. Topics explored will include the history of racial injustice in the U.S., the Civil War and the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation. Additionally, students will be encouraged to explore the modern significance of Juneteenth and its long-term impact.

Have students engage in a "close reading" of a timeless Jacob Lawrence painting through art-making, observation and analysis, and learn about the history of the Great Migration in the process.

Try out these interactive lessons and recommended resources from that invite students to step into the history and think critically and creatively about the continued fight for justice today.

Help introduce and engage students in the story of the March from Selma to Montgomery with clips from the film, "Selma", courtesy of Paramount Pictures. In the main activity, students will be asked to view three short videos about the March and critically think about the audience, message, and stereotypes seen.

Make issues of fairness, justice and discrimination personal to your students with this lesson plan, which includes an activity with Dr. Seuss! This lesson is designed for students for students who have difficulty with verbal or written expression.

While Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech became the most famous of the March on Washington, he was by no means to only person to address the massive crowd assembled on the National Mall. Use this lesson plan to look at the other civil rights leaders and orators who spoke that day and how effectively they conveyed their messages.

In this lesson plan, students compare King's "I Have a Dream" speech to other famous texts in American history, including the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. This is a great addition to any speech, English or history class.

This Common Core-aligned lesson helps students explore the New York City's "stop, question and frisk" program through videos, graphics and a news article. An engaging introduction creates a foundation to help students understand infographics and their utility as a cross-curricular tool.

In this lesson plan, students will use text from Mandela's autobiography "Long Walk to Freedom" to connect with Mandela's life and words. It also contains a 20-minute video from the PBS NewsHour to help students understand the magnitude of his life.

Use this trailer and to pique students' interest in the story of Muhammad Ali, who was both an athlete and a defender of human rights. You can purchase the film on iTunes, but it is not recommended for class use due to language and some mature content unless it has been approved by you and your school to use in the classroom.

Use this dynamic resource to get students thinking about Martin Luther King, Jr. and whether his dream has been accomplished today. These 12 high school students are part of PBS NewsHour's Student Reporting Labs and come from around the country.

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Classroom resources for Black History Month

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Find lessons and activities for history, English, art and more

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Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with this special collection. Each of the features below is a window into MLK and his legacy on civil rights and equality in the U.S. Be inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

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Celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with this special collection. Each of the features below is a window into MLK and his legacy on civil rights and equality in the U.S. Be inspired by the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

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Racial and Social Justice Curriculum: Produced by the Alonzo Crim Center for Urban Education, this curriculum has lessons for the elementary and middle grades, and offers students a chance to consider the civil rights movement’s past and present.

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Park Rangers and students from local area school.
National Park Foundation

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Racial and Social Justice: A Curriculum for Empowerment is a teacher's resource guide that provides activities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to explore the rich history of the civil rights movement and the persona of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This educational curriculum was developed by The Alonzo Crim Center for Excellence in Urban Education at Georgia State University.

The curriculum focuses on building on students' current civil rights knowledge and helping them to compare present-day realities to past struggles for justice in America and throughout the world.

The format of this curriculum is divided into 5 major sections:

Section 1 - Guidelines for Teachers (PDF 1,411 KB)
Section 2 - Lessons Plans and Units by grade levels K and 1, grades 2 and 3, grades 4 and 5, and grades 6 and 8

Section 3 - The Visitor Center Exhibits

Section 4 - A Problem-Solution Project

Section 5 - References

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Lesson Plans & Teacher Guides - Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

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The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Legacy of Racial and Social Justice: A Curriculum for Empowerment is a teacher's resource guide that provides activities for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to explore the rich history of the civil rights movement and the persona of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Use this video to introduce your students to the idea of neurodiversity, as well as create a shared and common language to use about different learning needs in your classroom.

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Check out Nearpod (free!) for guided lessons and readings on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There are a variety of lessons for different grade levels.

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9 Resources for Teaching about MLK's Legacy

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9 Resources for Teaching about MLK's Legacy

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Looking for instructional resources or texts to create a lesson on the Civil Rights Movement and the legacy of MLK? Check out Facing History's curated resources!

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This Monday, we will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s transformative life and legacy. The day provides an important opportunity for students to study the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, as well as our country's continuing struggle to create a more just society and representative democracy. Here are 9 Facing History resources that can help you reflect on your own teaching practices, teach the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and explore contemporary issues around racial justice and democracy in the United States.

Create a "Beloved Community" in Your Classroom

This Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we invite you to reflect not only on what you teach, but also how you teach. Late civil rights activist John Lewis described a "Beloved Community" as "an all-inclusive, truly interracial democracy based on simple justice, which respects the dignity and worth of every human being." How can we as educators help our students form inclusive communities where every person is respected?

In this blog post, Facing History staff member Dr. Steve Becton reflects on how he navigates his own identity as a Black man and father when facilitating conversations on racism and police violence, and he suggests five key practices to educators for bringing the "Beloved Community" into their own classrooms.

This guide offers additional suggestions for how to design a classroom where students develop knowledge, skills, and informed civic responsibility while also inviting students into conversations that are emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and relevant to their own lives.

Explore the History of the Civil Rights Movement

These resources can help you teach about key moments in the Civil Rights Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy.

The life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remains relevant 50 years after his assassination in 1968. The lessons and resources below help educators and community members explore the issues that Dr. King raised in Memphis, and ask the question, "What is the role of civic engagement in a healthy democracy?"

Individuals, groups, and nations have responded to injustice throughout history. The purpose of these lessons is to help students understand the philosophy and practice of nonviolence, explore how it played out during various moments in the Civil Rights Movement, and understand how the philosophy and practice of nonviolence can inform contemporary struggles against injustice and violence. This unit accompanies the documentary series Eyes on the Prize, which you can stream on HBO Max or purchase through Amazon Prime Video.

The history of racial segregation in western and northern cities is an often overlooked topic in the study of American history. In these cities, many factors-including social custom, federal and local housing policies, and real estate practices such as restrictive covenants, blockbusting, and contract selling-contributed to residential and school segregation. While there are important commonalities between the North and the South, including the presence of racial animus and acts of racial terror, the history of segregation looks different from either side of the Mason Dixon line. This Teaching Idea uses one episode of student activism, the 1963 Chicago Public Schools Boycott, as an entry point into this complex history.

Examine Current Struggles for Racial Justice

We live in a society in the United States that continues to struggle with structural racism and inequality. These current events Teaching Ideas can help you raise questions on current events with your students that relate to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Throughout US history-from the abolitionist movement, to Civil Rights Movements, to the current movement for Black lives-activists have held up the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution and used them to expand civil and political rights. However, the history of the United States is not a simple story of steady progress toward a more perfect democracy. From our founding, there have been those who have violently resisted equality and have used their power to restrict rights and participation. In this Teaching Idea, students learn about the history of democratic and anti-democratic efforts in the United States and examine a series of sources that illuminate this tension from Reconstruction to today.

The ongoing deaths of Black people at the hands of law enforcement have fueled a national reckoning aimed at confronting systemic racism in policing, the disproportionate use of excessive force against Black Americans, and more broadly, the history of racial injustice in the United States. This series of Teaching Ideas is designed to help students think critically about the long and troubling history between law enforcement and Black Americans. Use these Teaching Ideas to help your students bring a historical lens to these complex issues, engage with nuanced sources that reflect a range of experiences with policing, and consider ways to build a society that ensures the safety of all people.

Elections are crucial to democracy, ensuring people a voice in their government. Throughout US history, different groups of Americans have fought for the right to vote, both because this right is crucial for participating in democracy and because the right to vote is symbolic of the right to belong in the nation. In this Teaching Idea, students reflect on how voting laws in different states impact voters today, as well as learn about the history of voting rights and the impact of the Supreme Court's 2013 decision in Shelby County v. Holder.

Art has been a powerful tool in the Black Lives Matter movement because it has the power to change how we perceive ourselves, how we think about belonging and representation, and how we imagine the future. This Teaching Idea helps students learn about the power of art as a tool for social change and the ways in which artists and activists use artworks-including poetry, photography, murals, music, and dance-in the fight for racial justice in the United States.

Facing History invites educators to use our teaching unit Memphis 1968 in the classroom.

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9 Resources for Teaching about MLK's Legacy

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Here are 9 Facing History resources that can help you reflect on your own teaching practices, teach the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and explore contemporary issues around racial justice and democracy in the United States.

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Looking for new strategies to support your classrooms’ diverse needs? Want to include more neurodiverse success stories in your curriculum? Check out this resource hub for everything from resources and printable posters to research articles for families!

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November Coffee Convos: Decolonizing Thanksgiving 

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November Coffee Convos: Decolonizing Thanksgiving 

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A presentation from our monthly Coffee Convos event featuring our guest speaker, Susannah Remillard, who shared instructional resources to teach a decolonized perspective of the Thanksgiving feast.

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For elementary grades, American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving

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Native Knowledge 360°—American Indian Perspectives on Thanksgiving

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A teaching poster, designed for grades 4–8, examines the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for American Indians through the themes of environment, community, encounters, and innovations. Appropriate for use at any time during the year; includes images and classroom activities. #NK360

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Culturally Responsive Teaching

These resources can help middle and high school students learn about the first Thanksgiving and Native Americans today.

grandbrothers / Shutterstock

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, educators are grappling with how to teach their students about the first Thanksgiving in ways that honor the spirit of the holiday and are historically accurate and responsible.

The story that educators commonly tell of the first Thanksgiving is the same as what most Americans heard growing up. Pilgrims arrived in 1620 and had a tough winter. Native Americans, specifically the Wampanoag, helped teach them to plant hardy crops. After the successful harvest, they celebrated their friendship with a feast that came to be known as the first Thanksgiving. We tell this story because it's easy to tell, although it doesn't make for a richly engaging or solid history lesson.

When I first became a teacher, I knew my understanding of Native American history was limited, so I began the long but rewarding process of educating myself by reading articles written by Native voices sharing their perspectives on this national holiday and articles about Native American history. This initial research inspired me to keep asking questions and searching for culturally responsible ways of teaching middle and high school students about U.S. history. I hope you find these suggestions helpful as we enter into November, Native American Heritage Month.

Design lessons that include Native American knowledge

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) invites us to rethink Thanksgiving celebrations and take care to not perpetuate stereotypes or misrepresent Native American traditions-complex traditions developed over thousands of years that are unique to each individual tribe.

Create lessons that include Native knowledge and celebrate the richness of Native cultures through Native American art, literature, and foods while celebrating Thanksgiving. The Smithsonian's website offers a curated list of several culturally sensitive lesson plans, activities, and resources for educators.

These resources include a study guide for teachers exploring the factual context of the harvest ceremony and a teaching poster developed by NMAI that examines the deeper meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday for Native Americans through the themes of environment, community, encounters, and innovations.

discuss perspectives of Native Americans about Thanksgiving

In speaking about history, we may mistakenly send students the message that Native Americans exist only in the past. Moroni Benally, a citizen of the Diné Nation and public policy expert who has done much work with the Navajo Nation and Indigenous communities worldwide, shares his perspectives on how we can accurately and respectfully teach children about Native American people, Pilgrims, and the first Thanksgiving. Benally reminds us that by retelling and not correcting what he refers to as the "myths of Thanksgiving," we are teaching children that Native American history and perspective don't matter.

Although most Native Americans don't live on reservations, some reservations have cultural centers that offer educational programs and materials for educators. Some programs include docent-led educational tours for students, hands-on activities, and exhibitions of Native American art and traditional crafts. A Google search for tribal centers and Native American museums in your area is a good place to start. Indigenous World, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people to the unique arts, culture, ideas, and identities of Indigenous people today, also lists major Indigenous cultural organizations providing educational resources.

Research the history of the land you inhabit

Native Land Digital, an Indigenous-led Canadian not-for-profit organization, offers a digital map and Territory Acknowledgement guide. This digital map is a tool meant to create and foster conversations about the history of colonialism, Indigenous ways of knowing, and settler-Indigenous relations.

Access the map by entering an address or exploring the display of Indigenous territories (official and unofficial) worldwide. Click a location and various nation names come up, and you can learn more about the complex history of the land and each nation, language, or treaty associated with it.

Debunk the details

According to historians, commonly believed simple details about the famous Thanksgiving meal are not quite correct. A more accurate first Thanksgiving story, as Benally points out in his article, might entail the following. Celebrating their harvest, the Pilgrims shot guns and cannons. The Wampanoag responded by sending 90 warriors in response to the gunfire. The Wampanoag likely were not invited but simply crashed the feast. Culinary historians believe the meal included seafood.

Liz Kleinrock, an educator and recipient of the 2018 Teaching Tolerance Award for Excellence in Teaching, invites us to consider sharing how our understanding of history and perspectives have changed over time. History is not fixed-rather, it is constantly in a process of being refined.

After all, the subject of history (more aptly called social studies) is a study of people and relationships rather than a chronicle of events. And, thankfully, people change. According to Kleinrock, a crucial part of teaching history is modeling for students how our thinking can shift. For example, we can say, "I used to believe ____, but now I believe ____." "I used to think ____, but now I ____."

Through embracing this mindset, teaching about Thanksgiving can be an authentic, powerful learning moment for our students-and ourselves.

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Culturally Responsive Ways to Teach the History of Thanksgiving

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These resources can help middle and high school students learn about the first Thanksgiving and Native Americans today.

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From the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Deconstructing Stereotypes: Top Ten Truths Specific Strategies for Teacher Education

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Find out more about the fight for justice and freedom to be themselves for LGBTQ+ students in this toolkit from the National Education Association - and gain tools to help create welcoming and empowering schools!

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CONTEXT

We all deserve the right to live, work, and thrive no matter our sexual orientation or gender identities-no exceptions. But today, certain politicians are pushing laws that restrict our freedoms and divide us, so they can get and hold onto power at any cost-even if that means denying us the basic rights, resources, and respect that we all deserve.

Educators, parents, students, and communities are uniting across race, genders, and place to demand safe and affirming schools where all our students can learn, grow, and thrive.
Now is our time to demand the fully resourced and supportive schools all our families need, and to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are free to be their authentic selves and pursue their dreams.
Please use the guidance in this toolkit freely and as you see fit! Share it with your colleagues and community, so we can all work together in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. We're absolute believers that if our words don't spread, they don't work and as such we are honored to have you use this language verbatim.

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Our LGBTQ+ students need us to ensure our schools are places where all students are protected and empowered.

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From the Trevor Project, check out this free PDF, The Coming Out Handbook, which is a great resource to share with students or colleagues - it’s supportive of LGBTQIA+ folks and educational for allies.

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Exploring your sexual orientation and/or gender identity can bring up a lot of feelings and questions.Inside this handbook, we will work together to explore your identity, what it might be like to share your identity with others, and provide you with tools and guiding questions to help you think abo…

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Want to think critically about how to teach about voting and civic engagement at the classroom, school, or district level?

Check out the Teaching for Democracy Alliance’s checklist and matrix to both self-assess and find ready-to-use resources.

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Use the matrix and checklist below to reflect on how six best practices in teaching for democracy show up in your classroom, school, or district, and to work with others to make a plan for strengthening your community's approach toward civic learning.

Use the resource pages which follow to find matrix-aligned lesson plans, discussion guides, reference tools, partnership opportunities, and professional development materials to help you bring this plan to life.

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This is a free module designed for 8th grade students and aligned with the MA History and Social Science Content Standards, though it can be adapted for use in different grades. It offers activities that can be used with any election, whether at the local, state, or national level.

Topics include leadership, political parties, exploration of how elections work today, history and contemporary questions around voting rights, and exploration of how voting could change in the future.

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Elections Module - Democratic Knowledge Project

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Elections Module ABOUT THIS RESOURCE:The elections module is a set of activities to support teaching and learning about elections in the United States. The range of activities is designed to be usable any year, whether candidates on the ballot are at the local level, the state level, or the federal level.

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Facing History offers a great library of free resources for teaching about elections in the United States to middle and high school students.

Modules include: What Makes Democracy Work?, Voting Rights in the United States, and How do we know if elections are free and fair?

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Use these resources on voting, media literacy, polarization, and bias to talk about US elections with your high school and middle school students.

Civics & Citizenship

History

Social Studies

Democracy & Civic Engagement

The resources I'm getting from my colleagues through Facing History have been just invaluable.

- Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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Use these resources on voting, media literacy, polarization, and bias to talk about US elections with your high school and middle school students.

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Teacher Talks 2023: A New Vision for Place-Based Learning

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Teacher Talks 2023: A New Vision for Place-Based Learning

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Nauset Regional Middle School Teacher Susannah Remillard shares how she uses place-based experiences to build cultural, indigenous, and environmental awareness of her school setting in Cape Cod.

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"A New Vision for Place-Based Learning" by Susannah Remillard (August 2023)

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"Handle With Care" guide to supporting young people during crises

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"Handle With Care" guide to supporting young people during crises

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People are continuously struggling to respond when traumatizing events occur in our communities, across the country and around the world. Videos of these incidents are typically shared across social media platforms and become a constant feature in broadcast news cycles. While adults should prepare to engage young people in conversations about what's happening around them, we must always consider the well-being of all children, and especially those who may witness or are personally affected by these events.

The entire community is responsible for protecting and supporting children, especially in times of crisis. In empathizing with families, educators and community members who must respond to the needs of children as a traumatizing event unfolds, we've gathered recommendations and resources to help guide conversations with young people and to manage potential subsequent actions and reactions. Some LFJ resources contain recommendations from the National Association of School Psychologists, the Child Mind Institute and the American School Counselor Association.

In responding to crisis events, keep the following in mind for conversations with young people:

Listen and Hold Space

Please pay attention to how children respond to news about what is happening in the world around them. When something bad happens, it's of immediate importance to young people to share their feelings or thoughts, so it will occupy their minds whether you discuss it or not. Hold space for conversations and do not dismiss their questions, concerns or comments. Encourage young people to journal and draw to share their thoughts, or allow them privacy if they choose not to express their feelings at the moment.

Provide a Sense of Safety

Young people need to know they are safe, so be intentional about fostering feelings of safety when they are in your care. Review safety procedures at home and at school and identify adults who children can go to if they feel threatened or unsafe.

As misinformation typically spreads rapidly following a crisis, adults should help young people vet information and have a critical eye for breaking news. For example, if a shooting has occurred, there may be profiles of the shooter meant to cater to stereotypes. Look for trustworthy sources and remain skeptical. Steer young people toward facts and big ideas; avoid speculation.

It's also vital to monitor screen time. Discourage nonstop, uninterrupted footage of an unfolding crisis. Limiting the consumption of traumatizing media content during a crisis is important to maintaining children's sense of well-being. Carefully select what to watch together with children so they can discuss and share their feelings about what is happening.

Adults must keep explanations and discussions developmentally appropriate. For example, young children need brief, simple information balanced with reassurance that they are safe.

Model Empathy

How we experience and respond to tragic events varies, so be sensitive to people around you, especially young people. Children pick up on your emotions, and your reactions to events can affect them. Show kindness and empathy for feelings that might come up.

Recognize that children may not only fear for themselves, so consider how crisis events might make them worry about losing parents, family members, teachers and others they depend on in their lives. For young children, give comfort and reassurance with gentle words, and don't dismiss their fears.

Support young children with comfort and give them opportunities to play and share their feelings in multiple ways. Whether in the classroom or at home, engage in stress-reducing activities, such as creating art or utilizing a Peace Corner, where children can have a safe space to process their feelings privately.

Be aware of young people who are managing trauma or who have experienced violence. Monitor reactions and recognize that trauma can manifest in various behaviors, including anger and disengagement. Commit to destigmatizing mental health issues. For example, separate conversations about violence from issues of mental health.

Brainstorm Action Items

Help young people translate feelings of hopelessness or apathy into opportunities to respond with productive action. Join them in brainstorming ways they can support survivors and families experiencing trauma. Activities might include fundraising, volunteering, donating clothes and personal items, attending vigils or protests, signing petitions and writing supportive letters to people affected by tragedy. Read " Digging Deep Into the Social Justice Standards: Action " for ideas on ways to take action in your community.

Embrace Self-Care and Seek Community-Care

We must always care for ourselves and our children's emotional and mental health needs. Check in with your own feelings and give yourself grace for whatever comes up.

Remember that individual responses and the impact of violence may not be immediately clear, so be observant and maintain open communication, especially with young people. Sometimes anger can manifest in behaviors later, and sadness can become feelings of despair. If you or the children in your life are having a hard time coping with these events (for example, there are signs of sleeplessness, anxiety, depression, or behavioral concerns), please reach out for professional counseling support.

Community care is just as critical as self-care. Lean into your community to receive support and to offer support. Community care may look like donating to mutual aid funds, helping clean up after a disaster, providing food to a neighbor or offering a free service such as transportation.

Resources

It's important to appropriately respond to a crisis. The following resources provide context and offer strategies that aid in creating safe, inclusive environments.

Policing in the United States has a history of violence that disproportionately steals the lives of Black, Indigenous and other people of color along with individuals with disabilities. And despite years of protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, efforts for police reforms, and ongoing cries for justice, we continue to witness and mourn people killed and brutalized by police. These acts of violence-along with the lack of accountability-damages trust and affects young people across the country, prompting parents, caregivers, educators and communities to seek resources on how to address these subjects at home or in the classroom.

In the Learning for Justice web package Discussing Race, Racism and Police Violence, numerous resources explore the root causes of violent policing in Black and Brown communities, uplift Black and Brown youth and provide strategies to engage in critical conversations with young people about these issues.

With the proliferation of gun violence in the U.S., we must continue conversations about safety-not just when an incident happens. In "Don't Stop Talking about Gun Violence," we recommend unpacking common justifications for policies that do nothing to curb gun violence. This resource also lists some actionable items to help counter gun violence in communities.

The article "Conversations About Gun Violence, Disinformation and Extremism" offers ways to counter false narratives around gun violence, protect youth's well-being and bolster community safety.

When people are targeted with identity-based violence, it compounds the effects of the harm. It's critical to research and observe a school's climate in your community and advocate to put in place a plan to address hate, bias, harassment and violence before it happens. LFJ's resource guide, "Responding to Hate and Bias at School" provides strategies for preventing and addressing these events.

At home, talk to young people about identity-based incidents, from anti-Asian and anti-Black hate to antisemitism and anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Uplift the value of diversity and inclusion, and model empathy.

There are some things we cannot control. But we can control how we care for one another following catastrophic events. Natural tragedies expose the failings of a non-inclusive and oppressive society. For example, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, we witnessed how Black and Brown people were disproportionately affected. We also witnessed how they were less likely to get medical support and more likely to work jobs that put them at risk for contracting the virus.

We must not forget the grief and loss many people have experienced since the beginning for the COVID-19 pandemic. And for many children, the effects are ongoing-from the loss of a caregiver or teacher to adjusting to chronic medical issues and new social structures. In the article, "Responding to Children's Bereavement During the COVID-19 Pandemic," find additional resources to support young people who are experiencing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to events and tragedies with care and compassion is key to advocating for strengthened communities, making it possible to create a safe and inclusive democracy.

External Resources:

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Handle With Care: Supporting Young People During Crises

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People are continuously struggling to respond when traumatizing events occur in our communities, across the country and around the world. For families, educators and community members who must respond to the needs of children as a traumatizing event unfolds, we've gathered recommendations and resources to support you.

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Disturbing news events can leave parents speechless. These age-based tips on how to talk with kids about the news -- and listen, too -- can help. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

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Common Sense Media: How do I talk to my kids about violence in the news?

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Common Sense Media: How do I talk to my kids about violence in the news?

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If your kid is on social media, or even just watches YouTube, you can be sure that they've already been exposed to violence on the news. Even if they don't have phones yet, they're hearing bits and pieces from friends and family or from TV, the radio, and the internet. The modern dilemma of managing your own emotions-anger, confusion, sadness- when it comes to violence while also trying to comfort and reassure your kids has become all too frequent-for all of us.

As much as we wish we could shelter our kids from the worst of the world, bad news has a way of reaching them. But even when we're struggling, our kids still look to us for answers. We are the ones who can help them process terrible news and offer hope. Read our tips below for some tips on talking about the news with your kids.

Talking helps.

Ask ... and listen. Try to get a sense of what your kids know before launching into an explanation.

Try open-ended questions. Feel them out by asking, "What did you hear?," "Where did you hear that?," "What do you know about it?," and "What do you think about it?"

Be honest and direct. It's not necessary to go into extreme detail, but don't try to hide anything, either. Depending on your kids' ages, you can say something simple and succinct like, "A man used a gun to hurt people." Kids will hear all sorts of stuff from others, but you want them to hear the truth from you.

Reassure kids that they're safe and provide some closure. It's important for kids (especially younger ones) to feel that they and their immediate family aren't in danger.

Explain context and offer perspective-in small doses. Around the tween years, kids become interested in and capable of understanding complex social issues. With your life experience, knowledge, and wisdom, you can begin to explain the circumstances around issues of gun violence, racism, and political rhetoric. Not an easy task, but this is the process that gives things meaning and clarity-and it's important for kids to be able to make sense of negative and unpleasant things.

Accept their sources, but expand their horizons. Kids get most of their information on places like YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat. Teach them to question what they see by asking themselves, "Who made this?," "Why did they make it?," "What's its point of view?," "What information isn't included?," and "What would my friends think of this?" These media-literacy questions help kids evaluate information, think beyond the clickbait headline or meme, and look more deeply into a topic.

Offer hope. Exposure to sad and depressing news can make kids world-weary. But knowing they can contribute something positive to the world can counter those feelings. Talk about meaningful ways you can reduce future problems, whether it's attending a rally as a family or signing a petition. Banding together helps kids feel better and recognize that they're not alone in their sadness. It also boosts the resilience they'll need their whole lives-and it may actually benefit the greater good.

What else you can do.

Develop empathy. It may not feel like much in the face of tragedy, but reading books and watching TV shows and movies that tackle social issues can help kids see the world from others' perspectives.

Discuss hate speech. Our research shows that kids are exposed to hate speech online-including racist and homophobic slurs-even more than cyberbullying. And it's not just happening on fringe sites like 8chan: Instagram memes and popular YouTubers spread it, too. Sometimes, for various reasons, kids feel connected to this kind of online cruelty. Don't be afraid to broach that subject. Ask kids what they've encountered and discuss strategies for dealing with it.

Understand the connection between violent games and actual violence. After mass shootings, politicians and pundits look for answers and frequently blame video games and other violent media. Here are the facts: For most people, playing violent video games doesn't cause them to act out. But for vulnerable folks-such as those who have experienced violence in their homes or communities-violent media could be one of many factors that contribute to aggression.

Take care.

Don't feel like you need to cover everything in one sitting. Mostly just be there for your kids. Note how they're reacting and give them extra hugs if they seem to need it.

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How do I talk to my kids about violence in the news?

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Even when we're struggling, our kids look to us for answers. Get age-appropriate ideas for talking -- and listening. Advice from Common Sense Media editors.

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Facing History and Ourselves Current Events Toolkit

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Facing History and Ourselves Current Events Toolkit

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This toolkit provides flexible and adaptable tools and strategies for integrating current events into your teaching.

Civics & Citizenship

History

Social Studies

Democracy & Civic Engagement

Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.

- Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif

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This toolkit provides flexible and adaptable tools and strategies for integrating current events into your teaching.

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This November is Native American Heritage Month--a national observance that draws our attention to the histories, contemporary experiences, and insights of Indigenous peoples of the United States. As valuable as this heritage month can be for drawing increased attention to this area that demands greater attention in our classrooms and in the wider society, Native American Heritage Month also beckons to the importance of surfacing and centering these themes all year long. One common hurdle that undermines these efforts is the struggle to identify appropriate resources that are written by and about Native peoples with the adolescent in mind. There are a host of books and other materials that we can turn to as we construct lesson plans and recommend reading to our students, and what follows are five texts to consider. Below are excerpts from each text's publisher:

Hunting by Stars (A Marrow Thieves Novel)

by Cherie Dimalin

"Years ago, when plagues and natural disasters killed millions of people, much of the world stopped dreaming. Without dreams, people are haunted, sick, mad, unable to rebuild.

The government soon finds that the Indigenous people of North America have retained their dreams, an ability rumored to be housed in the very marrow of their bones. Soon, residential schools pop up-or are re-opened-across the land to bring in the dreamers and harvest their dreams.Seventeen-year-old French lost his family to these schools and has spent the years since heading north with his new found family: a group of other dreamers, who, like him, are trying to build and thrive as a community. But then French wakes up in a pitch-black room, locked in and alone for the first time in years, and he knows immediately where he is-and what it will take to escape. Meanwhile, out in the world, his found family searches for him and dodges new dangers-school Recruiters, a blood cult, even the land itself. When their paths finally collide, French must decide how far he is willing to go-and how many loved ones is he willing to betray-in order to survive. This engrossing, action-packed, deftly-drawn novel expands on the world of Cherie Dimaline's award-winning The Marrow Thieves, and it will haunt readers long after they've turned the final page." ―Amulet Books
Firekeeper's Daughter
by Angeline Boulley

"Eighteen-year-old Daunis' mixed heritage has always made her feel like an outsider, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. When she witnesses a shocking murder, she reluctantly agrees to be part of a covert FBI operation into a series of drug-related deaths. But the deceptions - and deaths - keep piling up and soon the threat strikes too close to home. Now Daunis must decide what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go to protect her community, even if it tears apart the only world she's ever known." ―Rock the Boat

A Snake Falls to Earth
by Darcie Little Badger
(Available November 23, 2021)

"Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She's always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories. Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he's been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake. Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries. And there are some who will kill to keep them apart. A Snake Falls to Earth is a breathtaking work of Indigenous futurism. Darcie Little Badger draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family. It is not to be missed."
―Levine Querido
From Dog to Wolf
by Delbert Sandlin

"How did the first Americans end up last in America? From Dog to Wolf is the story of Daniel Graywolf, an Oglala Lakota teen struggling to survive on the impoverished Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Shy and a loner, young Daniel escapes the drama of life there by wandering the creek beds and washed-out roads in search of specimens for his rock collection; a practice that has earned him the regrettable nickname "Rock Dog." One day he meets Dr. Robert Timberland, a geology professor from the nearby university. Together they solve the mystery of an important find Daniel has made while searching ancestral lands near the reservation. With the help and wisdom of tribal elders, they devise a plan that brings about the long-deserved restitution for his Sioux ancestors. To succeed will require considerably more of Daniel than just human resolve."
―MindStir Media
Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition
by Anton Treuer

"From the acclaimed Ojibwe author and professor Anton Treuer comes an essential book of questions and answers for Native and non-Native young readers alike. Ranging from 'Why is there such a fuss about nonnative people wearing Indian costumes for Halloween?' to 'Why is it called a 'traditional Indian fry bread taco'?' to 'What's it like for natives who don't look native?' to 'Why are Indians so often imagined rather than understood?' and beyond, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (Young Readers Edition) does exactly what its title says for young readers, in a style consistently thoughtful, personal, and engaging." ―Levine Querido

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Members of our staff are exploring these five new books published written by a group of Indigenous authors across North America for readers ages 12 and up and we invite you to explore them alongside us. These texts address themes including Indigenous youth navigating adolescent identity, community, and resistance.

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Thanks for your interest. We hope you will keep learning. The internet can be a great source of (mis)information. Websites must be evaluated with a critical eye, just like other sources. Techniques for Evaluating American Indian Websites You can also find resources on the

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Key Concepts For Teaching Native American Histories

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Copy this quick tutorial to learn how prezi works

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It takes a village - and so does bullying prevention! Check out this resource to support parents and families in how to talk to their students about identifying bullying, speaking up, and keeping themselves and other students safe.

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Talking about bullying can be difficult for everyone. There are many ways to raise the subject of bullying and start the conversation before bullying happens or if you are concerned that it may be happening.

How to Talk to Kids about Bullying - Tips for Parents and Caregivers

Children who experienced or witnessed bullying may want to discuss it with their parents, but not know how to bring it up. Some children may be afraid that they'll be "in trouble" for what happened. Others may feel embarrassment or shame. A parent may notice changes in their child's behavior and find it difficult to talk about it in a way that doesn't make their child feel uncomfortable.

Don't wait for bullying to happen before you talk about it. According to the Indicators of School Crime and Safety Report, 22% of U.S. students aged 12-18 reported being bullied at school in 2019. Children can be afraid to talk about bullying with their family. Parents create trust with children by initiating open, honest discussions. These dialogues provide opportunities to communicate values and learn about your child's experience. They make it easier for your children to turn to you if they witness or experience bullying.

Initiate talks in the car, before or after homework, over dinner or breakfast, or when doing something together. Keep it casual and curious. Talk about the daily schedule. Listen. Show that you trust them. Ask open ended questions about their day or activities.

What's the funniest thing that happened today?

What was the best and worst thing that happened to you today?

What new thing did you learn about a friend or another student this week?

What would you change about today?

For instance, share an age-appropriate story about bullying you experienced or witnessed. Talk about how it was distressing, awkward, scary, upsetting, or left you with questions. Start with, "Hey, did I tell you about...?"

Bring up the subject of bullying as if it were a news item or a subject you want to learn more about.

I've been hearing about cyberbullying a lot lately. Have you ever seen it? How did they handle it? What would you have done?

Some of my friends were talking about bullying happening at their child's school. Do you ever see any bullying happening? How did the school deal with it? What did you think of that?

Validate their feelings. Listen without judgement. Ask them some questions to get a feel for what they may need. Learn more about how bystanders can stop or respond to bullying.

What was it like for you to witness that?

Do you think the child who was bullied is ok?

Did you want to do anything in that situation?

How did other kids react?

Do you want to talk about different ways you can handle it if it happens again?

Is there anything you'd like me to do?

Ask open-ended questions to get more information about what happened, so you can help them learn how to identify bullying.

Where did this happen?

What was going on right before this happened?

How did the child being bullied react? Were they hurt or upset? (Bullying and teasing are different. If someone was upset by it, then it is likely bullying. Watch this video on the difference between bullying and teasing.)

Does the person who did it act this way with other people?

Do they normally get along or what is their general relationship to each other?

How did the others who were there react when it happened?

How would you have felt if it had happened to you?

Do you think this incident was meant to make someone look bad? (If yes, it was probably bullying.)

Do you think the person doing it wanted to purposely exclude or humiliate the other person? (If yes, it was probably bullying.)

Start the conversation in a general way. Let them know you are there for them no matter what.

I've noticed that you seem stressed/anxious/upset - has anything happened?

I've noticed that you're spending more time alone/on your phone/in your room - is there anything you want to talk about?

Is there something going on at school that might be upsetting you?

I've noticed that you don't talk about your friend(s) anymore. Has anything happened?

I'm here if there's something you want to talk about.

Stay calm. Ask them questions as the goal is to hear about their experience, provide support, and to help prevent it from happening again. Determine if you need to talk to the school about it. Try to understand if there is a power imbalance between the one who bullied and the one who was bullied. A power imbalance is not limited to physical strength. It is sometimes not easily recognized. Learn more about what to do when your child has been cyberbullied.

Is there history between you? Have there been past conflicts?

Has this happened before? Are you worried it will happen again?

What will make you feel safer?

This isn't your fault. No one deserves to be bullied no matter what was said or done.

Can I reach out to the school/teacher to talk to them about it?

Can we come up with some things you can do if it happens again?

Stay calm. Be open and listen. Ask questions. The goal is to help them learn from this and work through the reasons they did it so you can help them find other, healthy ways to deal with their feelings or situations that come up. You will also need to work with the school or parents to deal with it. Bullying is a behavior that can be changed. Your child will need help and support to learn new behaviors.

What was going on for you when you did this?

What were you thinking and feeling at the time?

How do you feel about it now?

How do you think the child you bullied felt?

Looking back, are there other ways you could've handled this?

Here are some other ways you could've handled it...

Is this the first time you did this?

Bullying is not ok. It's important that we address this. If you were the one who had been bullied, what would you want to happen to make things better?

I'll help you deal with this to make things right.

Thank you for talking to me about this. What I've learned is that you could use some help with... I will work on helping you/getting you help.

How to Talk to an Adult about Bullying - Tips for Youth

If you've been bullied, witnessed bullying, or bullied someone, you could use some support to deal with it. The first step is talking to a trusted adult about what you went through. This could be a parent, another family member, a friend's parent, a teacher, coach, faith leader, or school counselor. Read some of the tips below to help you get started. Check out the videos for more examples.

It's ok to say so and talk about how you feel. For instance, you could say "Mom, I'm kind of scared to tell you this, but..." or "Something happened that really bothered me...." Or "It's really hard to talk about this..." or "I'm afraid you're going to be mad at me, but..."

Tell them what you need from them in this situation. You could say "I just need someone to listen." Or "I need help figuring out what to do." Or "I don't want you to talk to anyone about this. Just listen."

You could say something like "Dad, something happened today..." or "I saw something today..." or "I did something today and I want to talk about it." The most important thing is to talk to someone you trust about it. It's ok if you blurt it out or don't know what to say - just talk about it.

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Talking about bullying can be difficult for everyone. There are many ways to raise the subject of bullying and start the conversation before bullying happens or if you are concerned that it may be happening.

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Anti-bias and anti-bullying curriculum can live in your classroom year round—all through your class library. Check out this curated list from the ADL for an extensive list of diverse and representative books for your classroom.

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ADL's online bibliography of recommended children's and young adult books about bias, bullying, diversity and social justice.

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All students deserve to feel safe at school! Check out these free lessons, activities, and resources to help you embed anti-bullying lessons into your classroom this month—without recreating the wheel or breaking the bank!

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Action Items:
Show the bullying prevention slideshow and provide the follow-up quizzes for elementary or middle and high school students.

Student Activity Book:

Provide an overview of National Bullying Prevention Month along with weekly themes. (Page 2) .

Define unity, kindness, acceptance, and inclusion using words, art, or music. (Page 3) .

Encourage youth to write down acts of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion that they see and where they see them happen. Note: This can be done throughout the month. (Page 4) .

Classroom Poster or Bulletin Board:
As a group, define-using content from the page 3 exercise in the student activity book-unity, kindness, acceptance, and inclusion using words, art, or music.

Action Items:
Review the Unity Day Guide , as well as the supplemental guide for virtual activation . Then, think through ideas for wearing and sharing orange, such as items to wear, group projects, art, and other activities.

Student Activity Book:
Encourage youth to think through and write down their ideas for participating in Unity Day. ( Page 5) .

Classroom Poster or Bulletin Board:
As a group, record ideas-using content from the page 5 exercise in the student activity book-to GO ORANGE for Unity Day. As a group, decide which activities you'd like to implement for Unity Day (week 3).

Action Items:
Engage in your planned activities from week two.

Student Activity Book:
Complete one or more of the acrostic templates. ( Page 6) .

Classroom Poster or Bulletin Board:
Invite everyone to add their own custom mark, such as an emoji, picture, thumbprint, or signature.

Action Items:
Ask students to share something they learned during National Bullying Prevention Month.
Student Activity Book: Classroom Poster or Bulletin Board:
As a group, record ideas-using content from the page 7 exercise in the student activity book-for continuing bullying prevention efforts throughout the year.

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This four-week K-12 activity kit features theme weeks, classroom projects, and student engagement to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing any (or all) of these 13 short stories with your students. Written by Hispanic authors, these short stories are the perfect way to honor and celebrate the work of Hispanic and Latin American writers.

The Importance of Teaching During Hispanic Heritage Month- And Beyond.

Whether you've stumbled upon this article in the midst of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th-October 15th) or are planning ahead, I applaud you for your commitment to inclusivity and culturally responsive teaching.

Let's face it- teachers have a unique opportunity and, some would say, obligation to prepare students for the world beyond the walls of any classroom or school. That means looking beyond state standards and class curricula and holding a mirror to the diverse world in which we live.

It also means taking advantage of the opportunity to expose students to a wide variety of American perspectives. After all, whether you call it the great melting pot or salad bowl, there's no denying the mix of perspectives that come together to paint a picture of the American experience.

Regardless of how diverse (or not) your district and classroom is, the truth is, culturally responsive teaching promotes perspective, tolerance, empathy, and overall kindness both in and out of the classroom. And I think we could all agree we could use more of those in modern times, right? (Right.)

Using Short Stories To Teach During Hispanic Heritage Month.

So, if you're looking to expand beyond the classic literary canon and include more Hispanic voices in your classroom, short stories are the perfect way to start. From Sandra Cisneros, the beloved author of The House on Mango Street, to the highly relatable Gary Soto, I've put together a list of 13 of my favorite short stories (and authors!) to teach during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Including any of these 13 short stories or authors in your classroom is a great way for you and your students to celebrate the literary contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. And while these authors deserve a place in our bookshelves and curriculums all year long, this month is the perfect opportunity to dig a little deeper into these author's literary works and the experiences and perspectives they represent.

Afterall, literature is often used as a way to help students hold a mirror to their experiences and the world they know. But opportunities like Hispanic Heritage Month serve as a reminder that literature can also open students' eyes to relevant perspectives they may not understand. In that case, let these short stories serve as a window into the diverse American experience.

So,without further adieu, read on for a glimpse into my favorite authors and short stories perfect for bringing a touch of Hispanic and Latino heritage into your classroom.

Short Stories To Teach During Hispanic Heritage Month By Sandra Cisneros

While Sandra Cisneros has penned several beautiful short stories perfect to teach during Hispanic Heritage Month, she is best known for her popular coming-of-age novel, The House On Mango Street. (Haven't read it? I highly recommend adding it to your list- or at least your classroom library!) As a dual citizen of the United States and Mexico, Cisneros' short fiction reflects very real experiences and emotions of those feeling a sense of "otherness." While she most certainly pays homage to the Hispanic American experience, there is plenty to be read between the lines to promote self-to-text connections among students of various ages and backgrounds.

Okay, you caught me. Technically this is a vignette from Cisneros' novel, The House on Mango Street. However, "My Name" is often taught as a short story due to its highly relatable undertone and powerful message. In the story, protagonist Esperanza uses her name to show the stark contrast between Mexican and American culture. Furthermore, the story represents her experience trying to find her place in each. As you read, have students pay attention to how the narrator toes the line between respecting her heritage and revealing her desire to pave her own path.

"My Name" calls to attention a big question around identity: What's in a name? After reading Cisneros' vignette and exploring Esperanza's thoughts regarding her name, engage students in a conversation regarding their own identities. In fact, you can have students write their own version of "My Name" to explore and unpack the many facets of their identity. How fun!

At first glance, "Eleven" appears to be a simple story about a traumatic event experienced by a young girl on her birthday- in class of all places. (Tap into your 11-year-old self and I'm sure you can relate to the horror.) However, upon a deeper look, this story reveals a struggle of facing unjust assumptions and stigmas. Therefore, this story is a great opportunity to challenge students to consider additional struggles certain people face on top of the universal growing pains. (I'm looking at you pre-teen awkwardness.)

Despite the protagonist's young age, Cisneros tells the story with a poignant maturity, shining a light on its deeper meaning. Furthermore, the use of descriptions such as "pennies in a tin Band-Aid Box," "runaway balloons," "smell[ing] like cottage cheese," provide a great look into Cisneros' skillful use of literary devices like similes and metaphors. Thus, Cisneros juxtaposes child-like words with mature emotions, creating a unique story with the ability to pack a punch.

Another short, but powerful piece by Cisneros, "Barbie-Q" can be interpreted in many ways. One thing not up for debate, however, is the stark contrast between the ragged dolls the narrator plays with and the idealistic and "new" Barbies attained by other girls. Students can dive into this tale, looking at the themes of economic disparity, gender identity, or stereotypes. Afterall, Barbie herself very well may stand as a representation of "white" beauty unattainable by the story's narrator.

Therefore, Cisneros' short story opens the door for a conversation around a sense of "otherness" popular toys and products can inherently promote. This can be a great way to discuss the idea of "otherness" and the ways in which society portrays certain identities more than others. Thus, leading to one of the story's most pertinent questions: in desiring these dolls, are the girls being led down a path of devaluing their identity or do they show a sense of pride and acceptance? Or, perhaps, in the innocence of childhood, are the girls unaware of the contrasts at all? (Let the conversation commence!)
*Teacher tip: Due to an instance of inappropriate language, I recommend reading through this text before deciding to share it with your students.
Short Stories To Teach During Hispanic Heritage Month By Gary Soto

As a child of working-class Mexican American parents, Gary Soto's works often reflect his experiences growing up in the poverty-stricken barrios of Fresno, California. Inspired by his own struggles, Soto aims to reach young readers who may be experiencing something similar- regardless of race or ethnicity. In fact, his universal themes and conversational language are what make his stories so relatable to all. Therefore, while many of his story's characters and conflicts reflect his own as a Mexican-American, his works are remarkably relatable to students of all ages and backgrounds.

Not only is Soto's "The Jacket" a powerful short story, but it's a great way to introduce the genre of memoir into your classroom. Rooted in real events and feelings from his childhood, Soto's story serves as both a personal reflection and a unifying tale. By exploring popular coming-of-age themes such as identity and insecurity, Soto lays the foundation not only for a detailed analysis, but impactful connections and conversations as well.

As hinted at by the title, Soto's childhood jacket plays a leading role in this story. (Some may call it a main character.) Soto skillfully employs the symbolism of the jacket to portray his family's poverty and the impact it had on his self-image and confidence. Through the short story, it is clear Soto blames the "enemy" jacket for his bad luck during his middle school experience. However, on a deeper level, students are able to unpack what that really means. As they track the symbolism of the jacket, have them consider the ways in which a physical object can reflect an emotional experience in this story and beyond.

Perhaps one of Soto's most widely taught and most relatable stories is "Seventh Grade." Following Victor and his attempt to connect with his crush, Soto crafts a highly relatable coming-of-age story. (Yep. It's kind of his thing.) A story where the protagonist is searching for a sense of belonging and acceptance? Relatable. Attempting to change oneself to fit in or impress others? Yep. In other words, students will cringe and laugh as they recall their own pre-teen days while reading, sympathizing for Victor on a whole new level.

Additionally, "Seventh Grade" is an excellent opportunity to dive into Soto's skillful characterization. By asking students to track how Victor changes over the course of the story, they can pay close attention to the vivid character descriptions and overall character development. Have them take a look at what Victor says and how he acts and responds to others as a way to reveal his character.

Another tale juxtaposing the struggles of adolescence and poverty, this short story follows the relationship between Mrs. Moreno and her daughter Yollie. Having come to America from Mexico, the family struggles with poverty. And, despite Mrs. Moreno's dedication to her daughter's happiness, Yollie easily gets caught up in her desires to have things they cannot afford. (Why? In search of acceptance, of course.) Therefore, regardless of her acknowledgement that their poverty isn't her mother's fault, Yollie struggles with the impact their financial situation has on her self-image and confidence.

Soto crafts a beautiful story showing the lengths a mother will go to provide for her child, despite limitations and financial hardships. While Yollie spends much of the story wanting what she cannot have, her mother is simply doing her best to provide for her family. Students can track the mother-daughter relationship as well as Soto's use of the "black dress" to represent Yollie's identity struggles.

Short Stories To Teach During Hispanic Heritage Month By Julia Alvarez

Despite being born in New York City, Julia Alvarez spent the first ten years of her life in her parent's native country, the Dominican Republic. However, they were forced to return to the city due to political unrest in the country. With that said, it's no wonder that the immigrant experience of navigating two cultures is at the center of much of her work. Whether writing poetry, short stories, or novels, Alvarez's writing often reflects the experiences and struggles facing stereotypes, alienation, and prejudice.

On the surface, "Snow" is a story about a young immigrant girl named Yolanda experiencing New York snow for the first time. However, upon a closer look, Alvarez captures the emotional struggle of adapting to a new culture, especially during a time of great turmoil. As if learning a new culture isn't a challenge enough, Alvarez highlights how the transition goes beyond the obvious elements of finding ones in a new environment.

Immigrating to the U.S. during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Yolanda must navigate learning a new language during the wide-spread fear of a nuclear attack. After learning terms like "nuclear bomb" and "radioactive" fallout alongside everyday terms such as "laundromat" and "subway," Yolanda mistakenly (and fearfully) believes snow to be the ashy fallout from a nuclear bomb. Thus, Alvarez calls attention to the layers of difficulties when it comes to adjusting to not only a new language, but a new culture as a whole. Upon reading this short story, consider asking students to reflect on the impact of Yolanda's first-person narration in Alvarez's underlying message.

What's in a name, you ask? Reading Alvarez's "Names" can certainly provide a conversation-worthy answer. (And, perhaps, would be great to pair with Cisneros' "My Name.") Written as a reflection of assimilation to "Americanized" names over the course of her life, Alvarez employs her literary talents to express the difficulties of fitting in while remaining prideful in your identity as an immigrant. (Or any outsider for that fact.) Thus, Alvarez shows the paradox of her pride in her family and their heritage and her desire to belong.

Alvarez begins the story with a powerful anecdote about arriving in New York City and having her Dominican family name mispronounced, setting the stage for the rest of the piece. As students search the text for other anecdotes, ask them to analyze the great impact Alvarez's experiences with her name have had on her sense of self. The story will hold your attention until the final lines, where you can challenge students to unpack how those final lines reveal a sense of Alvarez's ongoing duality.

"My First Free Summer" by Julia Alvarez

Most of the other stories on this list take place in America. However, "My First Free Summer" primarily takes place in the Dominican Republic. The story leads up to Alvarez and her family's move to America. A powerful memoir detailing her experience of getting to America, Alvarez gives a more historical look into the immigrant experience. "We raced off, wondering how to fit the contents of our Dominican lives into four small suitcases," Alvarez writes, emphasizing a sense of "otherness" experienced by those preparing to assimilate to a new culture. And yes, the story is written from a child's perspective. However, a sense of innocence is nearly lost as Alvarez details the moment at the airport when her parents' sense of "terror " became her own.

While it could be said that this "free summer" is a symbol of her freedom from summer school, it can also be representative of her freedom from a harsh dictatorship. However, students can spend time diving into the contrasting senses of gaining freedom and losing a sense of belonging. Perhaps they too can relate to a time where freedom came at the cost of comfort.

Other Powerful Short Stories To Teach During Hispanic Heritage Month

"American History" by Judith Ortiz Cofer

Having spent much of her childhood split between her native Puerto Rico and America, Cofer's "American History" beautifully captures her experience with cultural isolation and its impact on one's identity. Written from the perspective of 14-year-old Puetro Rican immigrant Elena, the story outlines her struggles fitting in in the face of stereotypes and stigmas. While Elena attempts to befriend her new neighbor, Cofer shows how easily stereotypes and stigmas can get in the way. WHile this struggle appears to make up most of the story, the final punch comes right at the very end. In the wake of President JFK's assassination, Elena struglges to find a true connection to the American tragedy.

Cofer does an incredible job using Elena and her experiences to express the identity struggles she and several other immigrants faced during the 60s. Upon taking a closer look at Cofer's descriptions and Elena's reactions to her neighbor's judgmental and dismissive attitude, students can have a deeper understanding of the impact of such instances on one's identity.

"The Scholarship Jacket" by Marta Salinas

First published in 1986, Salinas' "The Scholarship Jacket" continues to be widely read in the secondary classroom. As a Mexican American herself, Salinas channels the perspective of a young Mexican American girl facing a heartbreaking injustice at school.

While hard-working Martha wants nothing more than to earn the school's "Scholarship Jacket," issues of racism, politics, and poverty get in the way.

Aside from discussing the story's powerful theme of injustice, students can dive into Salinas' skillful writing. Written in the first person, the story provides unique insight into the narrator's experience. Have students take notes on how Salinas employs descriptive language and word choice to paint a stronger picture of Martha's perspective throughout the story.

"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings" by Gabriel García Márquez

Most often recognized for his novel One Hundred Years of Solitude, the late Gabriel García Márquez is known for his magical realism. While magical realism is a popular genre among Latin American authors, it's known as the signature style of Colombian-born Márquez. Perhaps the most complicated text on the list, this story is the perfect example of the genre. The story follows the relationship between a struggling family and an angel-like old man- despite his disheveled appearance, that is. However, over the course of the story, Marguez skillfully uses juxtapositions to highlight that the only thing getting in the way of a miraculous life is man's inability to see the beauty in what's before us.

With folklore and storytelling playing imperative roles in Hispanic culture, students can use this story to understand and appreciate how magical realism blends hispanic culture with literary norms. As they read, ask students to track the fairy-tale-like descriptions employed by Márquez. Follow up with a discussion on how those elements add to the overall tone and theme of the story.

Meg Medina is a Cuban American writer whose stories focus on how a person's family, culture, and heritage influence them. This story teaches different points of view the characters can have in a situation. It also touches on social issues such as a female wanting to be in a trade career. It goes into race issues with the family being Cuban in a white area.

"Sol Painting Inc." is about a 12-year-old girl named Merci who wants to grow up and run her father's painting business even though her mother does not approve of this dream. In exchange for his children's tuition at a fancy private school, Merci's father agrees to paint the gymnasium and a few classrooms. Merci's brother is embarrassed by this deal and he is ashamed of his father's painting business. Tensions grow even higher when some girls from the school carelessly damage the paint job the family had just completed.

Teaching During Hispanic Heritage Month: Beyond the Short Story

Why stop at short stories? Whether you're looking to dig deeper into HIspanic voices or to simply to add titles to your classroom library, be sure to check out the following titles your students are sure to enjoy:

I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez is a fantastic read that secondary students will find both touching and humorous.

As mentioned earlier in this post, Sandra Cisneros' classic The House on Mango Street is well read (and top ranking) for a reason.

Dive deeper into Julia Alvarez's escape from the Dominican dictatorship with her historical novel In the Time of the Butterflies.

The Book of Unknown American by Cristina Henriquez is both beautiful and tragic, offering a glimpse into the lives of immigrant teens and their families.

Between it's pop culture references and poignant prose, ​​The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz is a story students will find relatable, humorous, and all around enjoyable. (Plus, it's a great opportunity to see magical realism in full swing.)

A Final Word on Teaching Short Stories During Hispanic Heritage Month.

By no means is this an exhaustive list. In fact, some might say it barely scratches the surface. Yes, I invite you to bring any (or all) of these authors and titles into your classroom. However, I also encourage you to find even more Hispanic stories and voices to share with your students during Hispanic Heritage Month (and beyond). And if you do, I encourage you to share them with other teachers.

Together we can show the students of today and tomorrow just how diverse the American experience is. Remember, the goal isn't simply to check these titles off the list. It's an opportunity to pay respect to the many powerful and impactful voices of great American literature. And while the short stories mentioned above are fantastic reads, they open the door for even more powerful conversations that can help shape our students and the future they will lead.

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Teaching During Hispanic Heritage Month: 13 Short Stories To Share With Your Students

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by sharing any (or all) of these 13 short stories with your students. Written by Hispanic authors!

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We kicked off National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations with a roundup of nonfiction and poetry titles for children and teens. If you're looking for fictional works about Latinx experiences, look no further. This is a strong year for middle grade, as the 12 books below prove. YA fans have lots of genres to choose from, too, including magical realism, fantasy, contemporary, and more. Check out excerpted 2018 SLJ reviews and interviews with some of the creators. Also, don't forget to peruse last year's list of middle grade, YA, and professional reading titles.

Middle Grade

David Bowles. They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems. 160p. glossary. Cinco Puntos. Sept. 2018. Tr ISBN 9781947627062.
Gr 5-8-Güero is a Mexican American border kid with nerdy tastes, pale skin, and red hair. Wishing he had been born with a darker complexion so no one would question his Mexican American heritage, Güero's family tell him to be grateful for the advantages his lighter hair and skin afford him and to use it to open doors for the rest of his family. Güero's voice carries this novel through a playful array of poetic forms, from sonnets to raps, free verse to haiku. VERDICTVibrant and unforgettable, this is a must-have for all middle grade collections. Pair with both fiction and nonfiction books on immigration, forced cultural assimilation, and stories about contemporary Mexican American life.- Melissa Williams, Berwick Academy, ME

Hilda Eunice Burgos. Ana María Reyes Does Not Live in a Castle. 302p. Lee & Low/Tu Bks. Oct. 2018. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781620143629.
Gr 4-8-Ana María Reyes doesn't live in a castle, she lives in a two-bedroom apartment with her three sisters and both parents in Washington Heights, New York City. Ana María is caring, outspoken, and impulsive, driven by her emotions but also very goal-oriented. She yearns to attend a private academy, the Eleanor School, but her family doesn't have the money for tuition. To earn a scholarship, she must pass a test and impress the judges playing the piano in a showcase recital at Lincoln Center. This middle grade novel is an engaging, character-driven story about an 11-year-old Dominican American girl who is learning about herself and to appreciate her family and friends. It is an authentic representation of an immigrant, middle class Latinx family who values education, community, and family and stays true to their roots. VERDICT An excellent book for tweens in upper elementary grades and for middle school library collections.- Cynthia Molinar, Medio Creek Elementary SWISD, San Antonio

Pablo Cartaya. 272p. Viking. Aug. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781101997260.
Gr 4-7 -This middle grade story, set in Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico, pulls together important themes of family, identity, bilingualism, friends, and bullying. Marcus Vega navigates his six-foot-tall, 180-pound frame through middle school while also caring for his younger sibling, Charlie, who has Down Syndrome. Because of his large size, some of his peers consider him to be a monster, or even a bully. When a real bully uses the "R" word in reference to Charlie, Marcus punches him in the jaw. This begins a series of events in which he is expelled from school before spring break, causing his mother to take the boys to Puerto Rico where they are introduced to their father's extended family for the first time. VERDICT An excellent choice for upper elementary and middle grade libraries given its multiple, age-appropriate themes and the window it provides to life in a Puerto Rico before Hurricane María.- Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, Lisle, IL

448p. Disney-Hyperion. Sept. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781368016346. POP
Gr 4-8- Zane Obispo has a pretty sweet life: a mom who loves him; his fun, wrestling-loving Uncle Hondo; eccentric, caring neighbors; a loyal dog; and his very own backyard volcano. The downside is he'll be starting a new school, where he knows kids will make fun of his limp and his cane. When Zane and his dog Rosie discover a secret entrance to the volcano, Zane has no idea they've just put an ancient prophecy into motion, one that features him as a main player. Soon he meets a shape-shifter named Brooks who tells Zane that not only is Zane supernatural, but it is foretold that he plays a role in releasing Ah-Puch-the Mayan god of death, disaster, and darkness-from his prison in the volcano. VERDICTA page-turning and well-written trip into the world of Mayan mythology, perfect for fans of David Bowles's Garza "Twins" and Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" series.- Selenia Paz, Harris County Public Library, Houston, TX,

208p. Roaring Brook. Jan. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781626728585.
Gr 3-5 -When Stella was a baby, her family moved from Mexico City to Arlington Heights, near Chicago, where Stella still lives with her divorced mother and supportive older brother. Stella struggles to pronounce English words and regularly attends speech therapy at school. She's not confident in her Spanish skills either; she never has the right words when her Mexican relatives visit. When Stella learns that she's an "alien" because she only has a green card, she wonders, "If I become a citizen, will I finally feel normal?" With the help of her family and friends, Stella learns to shine like the star she's named after as she deals with the class bully, survives her first spelling bee, and proudly aces her oral presentation. VERDICT Fans of Clementine and Alvin Ho will be delighted to meet Stella. A first purchase.- Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

Torrey Maldonado.Tight . Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Sept. 2018. 192p. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks. Sept. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781524740559.
Gr 4-7- The complex emotional lives of young boys of color are portrayed through a nascent friendship. Bryan is constantly teased for being "soft," thanks to his preference for comics, drawing, and spending quiet moments with his mom. Through his mother's work at a Brooklyn community center, he meets Mike, an older, "harder" schoolmate whom he's never socialized with before and is apprehensive about befriending. Slowly, Bryan finds they have much in common and begins spending more time with Mike. When Bryan's recently paroled father is re-incarcerated, Mike offers him an emotional outlet in the form of ditching school, the first of several exploits the pair undertake. VERDICT An excellent addition to libraries with fans of David Barclay Moore's The Stars Beneath Our Feet, Jason Reynolds's Ghost, and character-driven realistic fiction.- Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library.

Meg Medina. Merci Suárez Changes Gears. 368p. Candlewick. Sept. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780763690496.
Gr 4-7 -Eleven-year-old Merci Suárez is starting sixth grade and everything is changing. Not only do upper graders have to switch teachers throughout the day, but playing sports, like Merci loves to do, is seen as babyish and befriending boys is taboo. So when Merci is assigned to show new kid Michael Clark around as part of her scholarship package at Seaward Pines Academy, it's a problem. Especially when the richest, smartest, most popular girl in school, Edna, who gets to write the sixth grade's social rules and break them, too, seems to like Michael. What's worse, Merci can't even talk to her beloved Lolo about all her problems like she used to as he starts acting less and less like himself. VERDICT Pura Belpré-winning author Medina cruises into readers' hearts with this luminous middle grade novel. A winning addition to any library's shelves.- Brittany Drehobl, Morton Grove Public Library, IL

Anna Meriano. Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble. 320p. HarperCollins/Walden Pond. Jan. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780062498465.
Gr 3-6 -Amor y Azúcar Panadería (Love and Sugar Bakery) is bustling on the eve of Día de los Muertos, and all Leonora Logroño wants to do is help. But as the youngest of five sisters, Leo is repeatedly told she is too young to participate in the family business. Leo resorts to sneaking, and discovers that Mama, Tia, and her sisters are brujas, and there is more to their baked goods than just sugar and flour. Anxious to explore her own potential abilities, Leo steals a book of magical recipes and begins experimenting, leading to various mishaps. Tradition is a prominent theme in this debut, but instead of leading to conflict, Meriano depicts a family that is open and accepting of change, while still honoring long-standing family customs. VERDICT A delectable debut with wide appeal, and a must-have for middle grade fiction collections.- Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library

Daniel JoséOlder. . Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Sept. 2018. 272p. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine Bks. Sept. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781338268812. POP
Gr 4-7- This epic, alt-history fantasy, set during the U.S. Civil War in July 1863, opens with a disgruntled Magdalys Roca, angry that the Colored Orphan Asylum matron demands she answer to the name Margaret Rocheford. Her immediate dilemma: Should she continue to resist the woman and miss the all-black cast performing a Shakespearean show, or should she attend with the rest of her friends? This is readers' first glimpse of the brave Afro-Cuban protagonist who lives in a dinosaur-filled world, where living in the North does not assure safety due to a booming international slave trade with the South. Unable to resist the lure of the show, Magdalys rushes to join the group, suddenly discovering a new power: the ability to communicate telepathically with the dinosaur pulling the wagon. VERDICT This high-energy title is perfect for middle graders, with its strong female protagonist, a fresh perspective on history, helpful notes and resources, and an honest portrayal of the complex topics of race and gender. - Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, Lisle, IL

René Saldaña Jr. The Curse of the Bully's Wrath/La maldición de la ira del abusón. 64p. (Mickey Rangel Mysteries: Bk. 5). Piñata. May 2018. pap. $9.95. ISBN 9781558858664.
Gr 3-5 -Marco is the new kid in school, and he's mean. So mean, in fact, that he has a football player and the established school bully on alert. After Mickey witnesses an incident between Marco and a classmate, he wants to tell his school principal, but Marco threatens him and anyone else who tells Marco's secret. Faced with a moral conundrum, Mickey uses his sleuthing skills to find out the best way to handle a bully and, in the process, discovers the truth about what makes bullies say and do the things they do. VERDICT Important lessons are learned in this timely tale that will engage curious readers and spark important conversations.- Natalie Romano, Denver Public Library

Mary Louise Sanchez. The Wind Called My Name. 288p. Lee & Low/Tu Bks. Sept. 2018. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781620147801.
Gr 4-6-Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, this novel introduces Margarita Sandoval, whose family is facing both financial and social difficulties as they navigate life away from their home. Margarita's family has lived in New Mexico for centuries, but now they must leave and seek out new ways of making money. They head to Wyoming where her father has been working for a year as a railroad worker. Margarita is ecstatic at first to be reunited with her family and explore a new place, but is also cautious of how her people and her culture is treated. VERDICT A much-needed and well-written addition to the slate of middle grade novels set during the Great Depression.- Katie Llera, Brunner Elementary School, Scotch Plains, NJ

Lila Quintero Weaver. My Year in the Middle. illus. by Lila Quintero Weaver. 288p. Candlewick. Jul. 2018. Tr $15.99. ISBN 9780763692315.
Gr 4-6 -Sixth grader Lu Olivera is born to run, but worries that her parents, immigrants from Argentina, will not allow her to pursue sports. Undeterred, she starts to pal up with talented African American runner Belinda. Lu's world starts to shift away from old friends like Phyllis and Abigail, whose eyes are firmly planted on teen fashion magazines portraying mostly blue-eyed and blonde girls and whose families are against racial integration. Instead, the tween is drawn to the more socially conscious world of her older sister Marina and her crush Sam, who are both working on the campaign to defeat George Wallace's 1970 reelection. Her awareness of the racism against brown and black people and the personal and political efforts to fight it start to garner more of her attention and spur her to action. VERDICT A well-drawn depiction of an immigrant experience with a social justice lens. A solid addition for public and school libraries.- Sara Lissa Paulson, City-As-School High School, New York City

YA

368p. HarperCollins/HarperTeen. Mar. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062662804. POP
Gr 7 Up -Magnificently crafted, Acevedo's bildungsroman in verse is a stunning account of a teen girl's path to poetry. Sophomore Xiomara Batista is simultaneously invisible and hyper visible at home, at school, and in her largely Dominican community in Harlem-her body is "unhide-able" she tells readers early on, and she bristles at how others project their desires, insecurities, failures, and patriarchal attitudes toward her. Though she is quick to battle and defend herself and her twin brother Xavier, Xiomara's inner life sensitively grapples with these projections and the expectations of her strict, religious mother. VERDICT Truly a "lantern glowing in the dark" for aspiring poets everywhere. All YA collections will want to share and treasure this profoundly moving work.- Della Farrell, School Library Journal

Daniel Acosta. Iron River. 225p. Cinco Puntos. Sept. 2018. Tr $17.95. ISBN 9781941026939; pap. $12.95. ISBN 9781941026946.
Gr 7 Up-Set in San Gabriel, CA in 1958, this novel captures life from the perspective of 12-year-old Manuel Maldonado, Jr. or Manny, who lives in an ethnically diverse section of the city. He is set apart from the majority of his Mexican American community due to his blue eyes, light skin, red hair, and large port-wine birthmark, which has earned him the nickname "Man-on-Fire." Manny is a gentle soul, but manages to get into constant trouble with his mischievous friends by doing things like throwing fruit at homeless people on passing trains or sneaking onto a stopped caboose and inadvertently being carried far away. However innocent Manny's infractions are, they land him in serious trouble-finding a dead person, witnessing the murder of a Black child-and result in heavy burdens of guilt, grief, and fear given the racist practices of the town police. VERDICTAn essential title for any library.- Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, Lisle, IL

Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera. . 448p. HarperCollins/Harper. Oct. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780062795250. POP
Gr 8 Up- This team effort is a meet cute between two high school boys in New York City. Broadway-obsessed Southerner Arthur (in the city for a summer internship) wants his magical New York moment. So he follows a cute boy into a post office in the hopes of making it happen. But fate-in the form of a flash mob proposal-separates them before Arthur gets the chance to learn Ben's name. Each boy tries to find the other using small clues from their first meeting until, eventually, they're reconnected. When their first date-Arthur's first date ever, Ben's first since breaking up with his ex-doesn't quite go as planned, they have a do-over date. And another. And another. Albertalli and Silvera balance cynicism and starry-eyed optimism to paint an honest, compelling picture of adolescent romance. VERDICT A must-purchase. Part feel-good, part star-crossed, this seamless blend of the authors' styles will appeal to fans old and new alike.- Alec Chunn, Eugene Public Library, OR

Zoraida Córdova. Bruja Born . 352p. (Brooklyn Brujas: Bk. 2). Sourcebooks/Fire. Jun. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781492650652. POP
Gr 9 Up -In the wake of her younger sister Alex coming into her powers as an Encantrix, everything Lula thought she knew about herself and magic seems less certain. Lula Mortiz has always been the healer, the beautiful one. That was before Alex's spell to dismiss her Encantrix powers went awry in Labyrinth Lost, sending Lula and all of her family to the underworld of Los Lagos. When Lula is involved in a fatal bus crash, she's determined to bring back her boyfriend. Maks has been the one stable thing in her life, but every bruja knows it's impossible to beat Death. This sequel picks up shortly after the events of the previous installment, but from Lula's first-person perspective. Córdova blows the world of the "Brooklyn Brujas" series wide. VERDICT A fast-paced story sure to appeal to fans of the original and urban fantasy.- Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

Alexandra Diaz. The Crossroads. 336p. S. & S. Sept. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534414556.
Gr 6-9-This sequel to The Only Road sees the internal border crossings of Jaime and his cousin Ángela as they start new schools and begin to recover from their arduous journey to the U.S. An isolated ranch where Jaime's older brother works is the setting for the teens' emotional roller coaster of guilt, loneliness, loss, and fear. Tensions peak when Jaime learns that the gang they fled retaliated by attacking their beloved Abuela, who eventually dies, and when the grandfatherly ranch manager, Don Vincente, is detained after 60 years in the U.S. Jaime succumbs to the pressure and punches a school bully, which does little to lessen his grief, the constant dread of being deported, and the embarrassment of being the new English-language learner bound by strict no-Spanish rules. VERDICT Fans of The Only Road will appreciate following Jaime and Ángela on the next phase of their lives, while teachers and librarians may find the text useful to counter unsubstantiated myths about Central Americans fleeing to the U.S.- Ruth Quiroa, National Louis University, Lisle, IL

Margarita Engle. Jazz Owls . 192p. S. & S./Atheneum. May 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781534409439.
Gr 7 Up -Set during the Zoot Suit riots, this novel in verse tells a fictional account of a dark time in American history. Marisela and Lorena are jazz owls who work all day and dance all night. They also dance during the day as they twist and turn trying to navigate their place in Los Angeles during World War II. They face racism at home for their Latino heritage despite having family members serving overseas. Marisela falls in love with a musician, while Lorena dreams about saving enough money to go to school. The novel focuses on Marisela and Lorena with occasional verses from her parents, brother, and friends. Engle's approach to a topic that may seem hard for teens to grasp is successful as readers will be cheering for the jazz owls to be able to not only dance, but to overcome racism. VERDICT A quick read perfect for history buffs, dance enthusiasts, poets, and just about anyone looking for a great story. Recommended.- Katie Llera, Bound Brook High School, NJ

Patrick Flores-Scott. American Road Trip . 336p. Holt. Sept. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781627797412.
Gr 7 Up- This novel paints an emotional portrait of the highs and lows on the journey to young adulthood. The plot focuses on high school junior Teodoro and the Avila family as they enter a period of crisis and struggle to maintain a cohesive unit. Teens will encounter relatable issues of economic hardship, wavering academic self-confidence, feuding parents, and a sense of growing despair as family members continue to grow farther apart. Teodoro's sudden romantic interest in a childhood friend becomes a catalyst for taking charge of his future and improving his grades. Shortly after, his older brother, Manny, returns from several military tours with a difficult case of PTSD and depression. As the Avila family is pushed to the brink, Teodoro's older sister takes the reins and plans a road trip that may just save everyone. VERDICTA must-purchase for fans of realistic fiction.- Monica Cabarcas, Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, VA

Mia Garcia. The Resolutions. 416p. HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen Bks. Nov. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062656827.
Gr 9 Up-On New Year's Eve of their junior year, four friends create resolutions for one another. Ryan, still heartbroken over his first boyfriend, is urged to kiss someone wrong for him and share his art with the world. Nora, who feels shackled to her mother's Puerto Rican restaurant, is told to choose her own adventure. Lee, still mourning the loss of her mother to Huntington's Disease, is encouraged to relearn her mother's native Spanish and decide whether she will be tested for the devastating disease. And Jess, a perfectionist, is pushed to loosen up by saying yes to everything. As the year progresses, the resolutions force the four to tackle new challenges, but their friendship sustains each of them. VERDICT This celebration of Latinx culture and the power of a community to create healing and growth is recommended as a first purchase.- Elizabeth Lovsin, Deerfield Public Library, IL

Guadalupe Garcia McCall. All the Stars Denied . 400p. bibliog. further reading. glossary. Lee & Low/Tu Bks. Sept. 2018. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781620142813.
Gr 6 Up- A harrowing account of a lesser known episode in the United States' unseemly history of discriminatory immigration policies. Estrella del Toro is witnessing change all around her Monteseco, TX, community. Empty homes and classrooms denote the friends and neighbors being "repatriated," or deported en masse to Mexico during the 1930s, many of whom are American citizens and never lived in Mexico. The "mexicanos" who remain face bigotry from Anglo-owned businesses who refuse services and segregate sections of their town. Activism runs in Estrella's family, but after speaking out against the injustices, the authorities retaliate against the del Toro family, rounding them up, burning their ranch to the ground, and forcefully boarding them onto trains headed toward Mexico. Estrella, her mother, and toddler brother struggle to reunite with her father, navigating unjust policies and unfamiliar bureaucracies. VERDICT An intense and enlightening historical fiction title that's highly recommended for all libraries. - Jessica Agudelo, New York Public Library

Anna-Marie McLemore. Blanca & Roja . 384p. Feiwel & Friends. Oct. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250162717.
Gr 8 Up- Magical realism extraordinaire McLemore crafts a queer, Latinx mash-up of "Snow White," "Wild Swans," and Swan Lake told from four perspectives. Blanca and Roja del Cisne are sisters, destined to be ripped apart by a curse that will turn one of them into a swan. Enter a blue-eyed boy named Yearling, who can turn into a bear, along with his best friend Page, who is sometimes a boy, sometimes a girl, sometimes in-between. Real-world problems of small-town life, family betrayal, and developing crushes among the quartet are entangled with the very eminent danger of the curse of the swans. The most magical element of this fairy tale is the focus on very real identities and how they intersect. Any fan of McLemore's body of work, Bone Gap by Laura Ruby, or Malinda Lo's fantasy will revel in this novel. VERDICTA magical and lovely first purchase for all YA shelves.- Angela Wiley, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Janelle Milanes. Analee, in Real Life. 416p. S. & S./Simon Pulse. Sept. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781534410299.
Gr 9 Up-Analee is a 16-year-old girl from Florida, but she feels more comfortable being Kiri the Night Elf Hunter in her online role-playing game. She uses these games and her virtual crush to hide from reality-primarily the grief from losing her mother, the conflicting emotions of her father remarrying, and the confusion about a riff with her best friend. That is, until she becomes lab partners with the star soccer player and school heartthrob, Sebastian. What starts as mutual silence turns into an unlikely friendship. This coming-of-age story boasts a refreshing revelation at the end, dissecting complicated themes through quirky humor and the occasional fun list. VERDICTAn entertaining novel for all teen collections.- Haley Amendt, Hinton Municipal Library, Alta.

Mark Oshiro. 464p. Tor/Tor Teen. May 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250167026.
Gr 8 Up -High schooler Moss is a survivor. He's witnessed his father's death at the hands of the police and has anxiety, but his friends and mother help him through panic attacks. He struggles with self-consciousness and body image, and his dating life as a large, gay, African American male teen has been nonexistent-until he meets Javier, an undocumented immigrant from a different school, and begins to fall in love. As Moss starts his junior year, metal detectors and random locker searches arrive at West Oakland High. Both new policies cause immediate issues for innocent students. Moss's group of friends is affected and they begin organizing. Tragedy strikes during a planned school walk out, and Moss must stand up and fight for what is right. This timely title will provoke much-needed discussion. VERDICT A strong addition to the current wave of excellent social justice-themed contemporary realistic titles. Give this to fans of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give .-Kristin Lee Anderson, Jackson County Library Services, OR

Jenny Torres Sanchez. 448p. Philomel. Jun. 2018. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781524737757.
Gr 9 Up -At eight years old, Emilia DeJesus survived a brutal attack on the playground by a teenager with special needs who lived at the group home next to her school. Emilia didn't speak for an entire year after the event, insisting only on cawing, like the crows she believed saved her when she was attacked. Soon after, Emilia's dad left her family because he couldn't handle their pain. Eight years later, Emilia lives a mostly ordinary life, although she still has an affinity for birds. She has returned to school. She bears no physical injuries. She has a perfect boyfriend, whom she very much enjoys kissing. But the attack still casts an omnipresent shadow over her family's life. But an unexpected revelation about her attack swiftly brings her anxieties to the forefront and sets Emilia's world spinning. VERDICT This beautiful story would be strong choice for those who enjoy a character-driven plot and don't mind an unhappy ending.- Liz Overberg, Zionsville Community High School, IN

Ibi Zoboi. 304p. HarperCollins/ Balzer + Bray. Sept. 2018. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062564047. POP
Gr 8 Up -This Bushwick-set, contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice tackles gentrification, Blackness, and romance with honesty, humor, and heart. Afro-Latina Zuri Benitez is proud of her Dominican and Haitian heritage, close-knit family, and bustling block. However, the teen knows that the renovation of the abandoned house across the street into a mansion portends a gentrifying trend that she's not quite ready for. It also ushers in the arrival of the wealthy Darcy brothers-Ainsley, the charming and friendly college boy who is possibly striking up a romance with Janae, Zuri's college freshman sister; and Darius, the too-cool-for-school younger brother, who is as handsome as he is snooty. Zoboi follows her novel American Street with this send-up of Austen's classic, an insightful commentary on socioeconomic class, changing neighborhoods, and the pressures of growing up and falling in love as a second-generation immigrant. VERDICT This excellent coming-of-age take on a classic belongs on all YA shelves.- Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

Adult Books 4 Teens

Naima Coster. 332p. Little A. Jan. 2018. Tr $24.95. ISBN 9781503941175.
Penelope is in a quarter-life crisis. Having dropped out of art school, she spends her days underemployed, drinking gin, and taking anonymous lovers. She can no longer hide out in Pittsburgh when she receives a call that her father, the incomparable Ralph Grand, has harmed himself, and she must come back to her home in Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn and care for him. Matters are further complicated when Penelope must reach out to her estranged mother, Mirella, now living in the Dominican Republic, who abandoned her father a few years before to rediscover herself back in the country of her birth. With great subtlety and detail, Coster has woven a tale that deals with gentrification, loneliness, and a very flawed and complex family. VERDICT This is a tender story that packs as much hurt as it does heart. Recommended for fans of Zinzi Clemmons's What We Lose and Brit Bennett's The Mothers.- Christina Vortia, Hype Lit, Land O'Lakes, FL

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27 Middle Grade and YA Latinx Titles for National Hispanic Heritage Month and Beyond

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If you're seeking 2018 fictional works about Latinx experiences, look no further.

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These books are guaranteed to appeal to high school students as they represent an array of experiences. Infuse them into your courses.

1) We know the real reason it was banned from a few high schools, but if anything, that should encourage everyone to read Bless Me, Ultima, a classic.

2) The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. There is a reason why this book is number one on many lists. Once you read it, you'll know why.

3)Down These Mean Streets by Piri Thomas. This book is about a Black Puerto Rican in New York and was one of the first to bring up race within Latinx cultures.

4) Dreaming in Cuban. This novel has a creative style that might challenge some students but will enlighten all.

5) In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. This historical novel will help any student understand what it means to escape from a dictatorship.

6) is a classic by the Pulitzer-Prize Winner, Junot Diaz. The language might not be what some high schools are looking for, but if they are looking for solid writing, this is it.

7) Silent Dancing by Judith Ortiz Cofer. This book shows off this author's diverse talents as she describes growing up Puerto Rican in New Jersey. This book is not as well-known as the other works on this list, yet its storytelling and poetry are powerful.

8) Under the Feet of Jesus by Helena Maria Viramontes. To read this book is to get a true sense of what it means to be a migrant worker.

9) Elizabeth Acevedo's The Poet X will appeal to all high school students. Yes, it addresses gender and race, but just as importantly, it addresses empowerment.

10) Erika L. Sanchez's coming of age story, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, is sure to appeal to high school readers. It approaches serious topics with sensitive and effective humor.

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Top Ten Latino Latinx Books for High School -

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Provides a list of recommended Latino books for high-school classrooms and audiences. This list is ideal for teachers looking to add Latino authors to the curriculum.

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The YA literary world has seen an impressive rise in the number of Latinx authors. This is great news for Latinx tweens who yearn to see positive stories about themselves. It's also great news for educators who can introduce these great works in classrooms.

1) Matt De La Peña knows children and young adults. And every YA book he writes is more popular than the last. We Were Here is no exception as it tells a powerful story about a young boy who learns lessons about forgiveness.

2) Rebecca Balcárcel's The Other Half of Happy is another book that has gotten nothing but the best reviews as it looks at the challenges of navigating between cultures. The characters are unforgettable. This is a book that will remain in print for a very long time.

3) In Lety Out Loud: A Wish Novel, Angela Cervantes provides an intriguing perspective of what life is like for ELL students. Such a timely book.

4) Celia C. Pérez' First Rule of Punk is about more than music. It has the spunk of punk with a flavor of great characters!

5) Let's face it, anything by Elizabeth Acevedo is powerful. We love her Afro-Latinx characters and her writing style. Fire on High is indeed reminiscent of Like Water for Chocolate, but with an urban twist that sets the words on fire.

6) The Sal and Gaby series is an entertaining ride for any tween. Carlos Hernandez is just getting started with these magical roller coasters.

7) The two sisters in Malin Alegria's Border Town books show us how life is unique along border towns, especially for young girls who are going through changes while trying to support each other and thrive.

8) Pam Muñoz Ryan is probably best know for Esperanza Rising, but she has shown her skills through other books for tweens as well. The fact is, tweens can't go wrong reading any of her books.

9) In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Alire Sáenz provides a touching look at the friendship between two boys. The way that this novel approaches LGBTQ themes is impressive in so many ways.

10) They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems, by David Bowles, is brilliant. Not only is the poetry accessible for young adults, it provides great storytelling as it looks at how our skin tone and physical features can play a role in influencing the way we define ourselves and each other.

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Top Ten Latino Latinx Middle School Books -

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Provides a list of recommended Latino books for middle-school classrooms and audiences. This list is ideal for teachers looking to add Latino authors to the curriculum.

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Top Ten Authors of Latino Children’s Books —

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Provides a list of the most popular Latino Latinx children’s books authors. Includes Gary Soto, Pat Mora, and Margarita Engle.

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National Slam Poet Elizabeth Acevado (resources for grades 6-12)

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National Slam Poet Elizabeth Acevado (resources for grades 6-12)

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Afro-Latina,

Camina conmigo.

Salsa swagger

anywhere she go

como

'¡la negra tiene tumbao!

¡Azúcar!'

Dance to the rhythm.

Beat the drums of my skin.

Afrodescendant,

the rhythms within.

The first language

I spoke was Spanish.

Learned from lullabies

whispered in my ear.

My parents' tongue

was a gift

which I quickly forgot

after realizing

my peers did not understand it.

They did not understand me.

So I rejected

habichuela y mangú,

much preferring Happy Meals

and Big Macs.

Straightening my hair

in imitation of Barbie.

I was embarrassed

by my grandmother's

colorful skirts

and my mother's

eh brokee inglee

which cracked my pride

when she spoke.

So, shit, I would poke fun

at her myself,

hoping to lessen

the humiliation.

Proud to call myself

American,

a citizen

of this nation,

I hated

Caramel-color skin.

Cursed God

I'd been born

the color of cinnamon.

How quickly we forget

where we come from.

So remind me,

remind me

that I come from

the Taínos of the río

the Aztec,

the Mayan,

Los Incas,

los Españoles

con sus fincas

buscando oro,

and the Yoruba Africanos

que con sus manos

built a mundo

nunca imaginado.

I know I come

from stolen gold.

From cocoa,

from sugarcane,

the children

of slaves

and slave masters.

A beautifully tragic mixture,

a sancocho

of a race history.

And my memory

can't seem to escape

the thought

of lost lives

and indigenous rape.

Of bittersweet bitterness,

of feeling innate,

the soul of a people,

past, present and fate,

our stories cannot

be checked into boxes.

They are in the forgotten.

The undocumented,

the passed-down spoonfuls

of arroz con dulce

a la abuela's knee.

They're the way our hips

skip

to the beat of cumbia,

merengue

y salsa.

They're in the bending

and blending

of backbones.

We are deformed

and reformed

beings.

It's in the sway

of our song,

the landscapes

of our skirts,

the azúcar

beneath our tongues.

We are

the unforeseen children.

We're not a cultural wedlock,

hair too kinky for Spain,

too wavy for dreadlocks.

So our palms

tell the cuentos

of many tierras.

Read our lifeline,

birth of intertwine,

moonbeams

and starshine.

We are every

ocean crossed.

North Star navigates

our waters.

Our bodies

have been bridges.

We are the sons

and daughters,

el destino de mi gente,

black

brown

beautiful.

Viviremos para siempre

Afro-Latinos

hasta la muerte.

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In this spoken word piece, Elizabeth Acevedo speaks of her Afro-Latina heritage, recounting how she first rejected her roots and then learned to embrace them.

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Hispanic Heritage History Month art lessons are a great way to celebrate the many influential Hispanic artists of the past and present. Here are 11 Hispanic artists I have introduced to my students and some ideas for art lessons about them.

Lourdes Villagomez

Lourdes Villagomez is a Mexican artist. She is a graphic designer, contemporary painter and muralist. Most of her artwork includes bright colors. Her Mexican heritage is woven into her artwork by incorporating traditional images and folklore. Her subject matter ranges from a charro hat to sugar skulls and catrinas, both popular with Dia De Los Muertos celebrations.

The creative and colorful approach to traditional images and folklore provide an opportunity for students to create a sugar skull design in a less traditional style. I have my students triangulate a skull drawing and use color schemes to create contrast and unity in their design. This is a great painting, color pencil or mixed media lesson.

Jaime Dominguez

Jaime Dominguez is an abstract contemporary artist from Mexico. His subject matter consists of geometric shapes and minimal colors. He uses a color palette borrowed from indigenous art in Mexico. He is passionate about mixing styles and experimentation.

His clean style and simple color palette is a great way to introduce young artists to minimalism, while teaching the elements of color, value and shape. My students learn about value by creating a simple value scale with paint or using layers of colorful construction paper to create a scale. Students use this paper to create a simple geometric shape collage that has value.

Amelia Pelaez

Amelia Palaez was born in Cuba. Her artwork was heavily influenced by Pablo Picasso. She was an important painter of the Avant-garde generation. She trained in academic impressionism, but she modified her style throughout her life. Her still life paintings include a lot of lines, shapes and patterns.

Palaez's bold lines, bright colors and simple patterns can inspire students to create a simple still life of their choice. The subject matter can be flowers, fruit, fish or everyday items. Students can fill the table, walls and ceiling with patterns using a variety of lines and shapes, much like the work of Pelaez.

Joan Miro

Joan Miro was born in Spain in 1893. He was a sculptor, painter and ceramist, but known mostly for his paintings. He is considered a Surrealist artist. His unique style is dreamlike and whimsical. His colorful paintings are simple and resemble doodles and simple drawings.

Miro's abstract style is fun for young artists to replicate, using loose playful lines and shapes to create simple line drawings. I have my students make a Miro-inspired doodle drawing using simple lines and shapes. My students also enjoy using the wet on wet watercolor technique, to create colorful paintings that are also similar to the artwork created by Miro.

Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera was born in Mexico in 1886. He was one of twin boys, unfortunately his twin brother Carlos died two years after they were born. A year later he began drawing on the wall and his parents recognized and nourished his artistic talents. Later, the Mexican government commissioned him to create murals to educate the people about Mexican history.

His revolutionary murals are a great way to introduce the concept of artwork with an impact to your students. I have students think about something they are passionate about and create a drawing or poster to communicate their message and show their voice. These mini murals are a great way for students to spread the word about what is important to them.

Lizeth Prieto

Lizeth Prieto is from Peru. Watercolor painting is her hobby and brings her joy. Her nature paintings bring her well-being and connect her to nature. She said that all of her paintings are dedicated to her mother, Chelita, whom she loves eternally. Her watercolor paintings typically include subjects from nature, such as faceted minerals and florals designs.

I am a huge fan of Lizeth Prieto's faceted mineral paintings. I teach a lesson about value where the students use pressure on their pencils to create a value range. My students draw clusters of crystals and show how the values change with a light source. You can also do this with watercolors.

Lorna Simpson

Lorna Simpson was born in Brooklyn, New York to Cuban and Jamaican parents. As an undergraduate at the New York School of Visual Arts, she studied painting at first but switched then switched to photography in which she got her degree. The subject matter of her work explores stereotypes of race and gender. She put many of these themes in her photography and collages.

In many of Lorna Simpson's collages, hair becomes the focus of infinite creative possibilities. My students create similar collages with magazine images and zentangles. The students find an image from a magazine and draw a hair shape around the portrait. Students then divide the hair shape into many shapes and then fill them with Zentangles. It is a great lesson on shape, line and a wonderful introduction to the work of Lorna Simpson. More information on this lesson is available here.

Pablo Picasso

Pablo Picasso was born in Spain in 1881. He is most famous for co-creating Cubism and is considered one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century. He is most well known for his paintings, but he also created drawings, sculptures and ceramics. Picasso created over 50,000 works of art.

A lesson on Cubism is the obvious choice to teach about Picasso and also a great introduction to abstract art for many students. My students use guitars as the subject matter and change the shape of the guitar body, neck and head. To make their artwork complete, my students fill the background with geometric shapes and textures, similar to Picasso's guitar paintings.

Frida Kahlo

Frida Kahlo was born in Mexico in 1907 and died in 1954. She is considered one of the most significant artists of the 20th century. She was severely injured in a bus crash in her youth and confined to her bed. This is when she began painting. She depicted her physical and emotional pain in many of her portraits, as well as her rocky relationship with her husband, artist Diego Rivera.

As primarily a portrait artist, Kahlo opens the door of opportunity to create an autobiographical portrait. The students draw a self portrait, then add pets, favorite animals, headpieces, hats, jewelry and creative shirts that provide the viewer some personal information about the artist. I also use this lesson to teach students how to draw a face with correct facial proportions. Click here to check out my Frida Kahlo Inspired Portrait Lesson.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, New York to a father from Haiti and a mother from Puerto Rico. He worked as an Abstract Expressionist painter and his style was shaped by his diverse cultural heritage. He depicted much of his subject matter through symbolism.

His artwork is a great way to introduce students to the idea of self-expression and symbolism. I ask my students to reflect on their personal journey, interests and heritage to create an expressive painting. Students create a symbol to represent a component from their life and incorporate that into their painting. Simple self-portraits inspired by Basquiat are also a great way to introduce young artists to Basquiat.

José Clemente Orozco

José Clemente Orozco was born in Mexico in 1883. He became interested in art at the age of 7. At the age of 21, Orozco lost his left hand while working with gunpowder to make fireworks. He was part of a movement with David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera, known as Los Tres Grandes. Celebrating the Mexican people's potential to craft the nation's history was a key theme in Mexican muralism.

I have created many murals with my students over the years, both permanent and temporary. When creating a large scale collaborative painting or mural it is nice to give students a connection to the power and influence of murals as an art form. I make temporary murals with butcher paper and tempera paint. Many times I will create the line art for the mural and students will add color with paint.
Many of the above ideas are from my 'Celebrating Hispanic Artists" bundle of 6 elementary art lessons. Click here to check it out.
Here's a few lesson ideas I've used that are specifically for older elementary or middle school students.

I have students create a landscape using techniques similar to what the Huichol of Mexico use. I teach students about Huichol Art and artists, then have them create a landscape with yarn that uses color, texture and direction to create variety in their artwork. Click here for more information.

Frida Kahlo Inspired Portraits

We create a self-portrait including an environment that communicates characteristics of each individual. I teach the importance of heritage, and how to draw a portrait with the correct proportions and facial features. Check it out here.

3D Paper Masks

I have taught a 3D Paper Mask art lesson many times that celebrates the Vejigante mask tradition of Puerto Rico. I have students create a symmetrical three dimensional mask using various paper folding techniques, then apply patterns with markers. I give them a mask ideas handout to jump start their creativity. Click here to learn more.

FREE POSTERS: This set of four Hispanic Heritage Month printable art room posters is free to all Art With Trista subscribers. Click here to download.
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Hispanic Heritage Month Art Lessons - Art With Trista

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Hispanic Heritage History Month Art Lessons - 11 Great Hispanic Artists and Ideas for Art Lessons About Them.

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September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic American Heritage Month-a time to deepen our attention to the histories, experiences, and contributions of Hispanic American peoples including Latinx communities. Turn to this rich array of free teacher resources this month (and beyond) including two streamable documentaries, two on-demand webinars, and a bundle of lessons designed to help educators bring the richness of Latinx life and history into focus in the classroom.

Latino Americans: The 500-Year Legacy That Shaped a Nation (documentary)

This documentary provides a close look at the history, culture, and life of America's largest minority group today: Latinx Americans. Starting in the 1500s, Latinx Americans traveled through hundreds of years of events and experiences that have changed history. The film includes interviews with over one hundred Latinx people sharing their personal stories, making this project a unique overview of a large and diverse American cultural group.

Foreigners in Their Own Land (1565-1880)

Empire of Dreams (1880-1942)

War and Peace (1942-1954)

The New Latinos

Prejudice and Pride (1965-1980)

Peril and Promise (1980-2000)

Since the time of the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, Mexican-Americans have struggled to achieve equality and full rights as citizens of the United States. This 4-part series examines pivotal events concerning land, labor, education, and political empowerment that took place between 1965 and 1975, the period that was the focus of the Mexican-American civil rights movement.

Latinx Rights in 1960s California (multimedia resource collection)

In the 1960s, historically marginalized groups across the United States organized to claim the rights they had long been denied. The lessons below help educators and students explore two pivotal moments in the Latinx rights movement in California: the East LA school walkouts in 1968 and the Delano grape workers' strike that began in 1965.

California Grape Workers' Strike: 1965-66 (lesson)

The 1968 East LA School Walkouts (lesson)

Becoming an Activist: A Conversation with Dolores Huerta (on-demand webinar)

How can people work together to raise their voices and demand the rights they have been denied? How do social movements create lasting change? During this conversation with Dolores Huerta, a civil rights icon and co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), we discuss her life's work, current activism, and our lessons on the United Farm Workers.

Schooling for Critical Consciousness: A Conversation with Scott Seider and Daren Graves (on-demand webinar)

Listen in on this previously recorded webinar with Scott Seider and Daren Graves, co-authors of Schooling for Critical Consciousness: Engaging Black and Latinx Youth in Analyzing, Navigating, and Challenging Racial Injustice. Here they explore pedagogical approaches that empower educators and their students to analyze, navigate, and challenge racial injustice.

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5 Teacher Resources for Hispanic American Heritage Month

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Facing History shares free teacher resources of lessons designed to help educators bring the richness of Latinx life and history into focus in the classroom.

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No matter our color, ZIP code, or language, we want all our children to have a public education that imparts honesty about who we are, the integrity in how we treat each other, and the freedom to pursue our dreams.

Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a time for those of Hispanic and Latino descent to celebrate their cultural roots but also an occasion for people from all backgrounds to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Despite efforts by some politicians today to whitewash history, to restrict our freedoms to teach and to learn, throughout our history, Hispanic and Latino communities have left an indelible mark on the fields of art, music, literature, science, politics, education, and countless other domains. Their enduring legacy is not only a source of pride for those who share this heritage but also a source of inspiration for all of us who recognize the power of diversity in shaping our shared humanity.

Through this list of curated resources, books, lessons, videos and activities, we invite you to explore, learn, and celebrate the vibrant heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities to our world.

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Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage month with the following lessons, activities, videos, and more.

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Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino

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Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino

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Hispanic Heritage Month Resources | National Museum of the American Latino

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Explore this collection of resources for Hispanic Heritage Month.