The Big Paper classroom activity gets students writing and responding to primary source documents from important moments in history. Having a written conversation with peers slows down students' thinking process and gives them an opportunity to focus on the views of others. Try using prompts like quotes from different presidents or newspaper articles that cover stances taken by political leaders.
When we study presidents and government around the world, it’s helpful to plan a conversation about voting. Who has the right to vote? Why do we vote? This video "One Person, One Vote: Why Should We Care?" featuring featuring anti-apartheid leader and former South African Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs is a great way to introduce the subject to students.
In Religious Freedom & Democracy: Teaching George Washington’s Letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island,you’ll find free lesson plans crafted for middle and high school humanities teachers that examine the nature of citizenship, religious freedom, and equality in a democracy.
Register today for an upcoming Facing History professional development opportunity. Through our guides and teaching methods, students are introduced to leaders throughout history who have shown courage and compassion in the face of injustice, and see that their own daily choices can have major impacts and perhaps even be a critical link to a safer future.
