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US History


Honorable John Lewis (1940-2020): Civil Rights Leader, Great American
Grade 6-12: Students will learn about the life and legacy of the late U.S. Representative John Lewis, a major leader in the Civil Rights Movement. Through two short videos, discussion, and activities, students will explore leadership, nonviolence, and standing up for justice.


Ruby Bridges - Courage Shapes the World We Live In
Grade: 3-5. Students learn who Ruby Bridges was and why her actions mattered. Through a short video, guided discussion, and role-play, students examine how Ruby’s courage and kindness in the face of discrimination helped create change. Students also explore how telling trusted adults and making thoughtful, safe choices can help create more inclusive spaces for everyone.


Ruby Bridges - Making Spaces Welcoming and Kind
Grade: K-2. Students learn about Ruby Bridges, a young girl who helped change history during desegregation as the first African American student to attend an all-white school in her community. Ruby showed bravery and kindness when she faced unfair treatment at school.


Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & the March on Washington - Analysis of a Social Justice Movement
Grades 9-12. Students will examine the civil rights movement through two key films: Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech and The March (1964), a restored documentary on the March on Washington. After viewing, students will use 10 criteria to evaluate whether the movement meets the standards of a true social justice movement.


THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION – America's Commitment To Human Rights And Self-Correction
Grades 9-12. In this lesson, students will explore the contradictions of the American Revolution, particularly regarding slavery and inequality, and how these flaws led to movements for abolition, women’s suffrage, and civil rights.


LGBTQIA+ and Women's Rights in the U.S. and EU
Grade level: 6-12. This lesson introduces students to how the United States and European Union have worked to protect and advance the rights of women and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Students will explore historical milestones, legal protections, and ongoing struggles for equality, while learning why these rights are fundamental to free and fair societies.


"Louis Brandeis – A Justice for All"
Grades 3-5. In this lesson, students will watch the informative and engaging PBS mini-biography Louis Brandeis: The First Jewish Supreme Court Justice and reflect on the life and legacy of Justice Louis Brandeis (1856–1941), a trailblazing Jewish American. Students will explore his contributions to civil liberties, workers' rights, and the foundational right to privacy.


RBG: A Documentary Exploring the Life and Legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Grades 9-12. In this lesson, students will watch the informative and endearing documentary RBG (2018) and reflect on the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), a Jewish American. Students will explore her contributions to gender equality and civil rights and discuss how her legacy continues to influence the American legal system and our society today. Through this lesson, students will analyze the role of the judiciary in shaping laws and so


HAYM SOLOMON: The Financier Who Helped Fund America's Freedom
Grades 6-8. Haym Solomon was a Jewish immigrant, financier, and unsung hero of the American Revolution who played a crucial role in securing funds for the war effort. Born in Poland in 1740, he immigrated to America in 1772 and became a successful merchant and banker.


Dorothy Pitman Hughes: Life and Legacy
Grades 6-8. In this lesson, students will explore the life and contributions of Dorothy Pitman Hughes, a Black feminist, child welfare advocate, and community activist.


Gloria: In Her Own Words
Grades: 11-12. The video "In Her Own Words" is a documentary that explores the life and work of feminist icon Gloria Steinem. Through interviews and archival footage, it provides insight into Steinem's personal experiences, including her pivotal role in the feminist movement in the 1960s and 1970s.


Asian American Activists in the Civil Rights Movement
Grades 7-12. The fight for justice has never been fought alone. Asian American activists worked alongside Black, Latinx, and Indigenous leaders to challenge oppression and demand equality. Their contributions remain inspiring and relevant today, offering powerful lessons on solidarity, resilience, and social change.


The Young Lords Grassroots Activism and Social Change - Fighting for Justice, Then and Now
Grades 6-12. The Young Lords Grassroots Activism and Social Change - Fighting for Justice, Then and Now


Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel & Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – A Shared Struggle for Justice
Grades 6-8. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. were united by a deep commitment to justice and human dignity. Heschel, a Jewish theologian and Holocaust survivor, believed that the fight for Black civil rights was a moral and spiritual imperative. He famously marched alongside Dr. King during the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965, later saying, “I felt my legs were praying.”
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