Facing History & Ourselves

With Thanksgiving days away, it's a perfect time to reflect on the importance of immigration in shaping our nation's history (culinary and otherwise). This recently-updated Ideas This Week article explores the power of food and storytelling to teach about culture and identity. Click through to read the heartwarming story—and let us know in the comments if you have any favorite dishes that make you feel closer to your heritage!

That’s a wrap on the National Council for the Social Studies conference! It’s been an incredible few days of learning, connecting with fellow educators and building partnerships. I especially loved the special sessions with Facing History & Ourselves on the impact and legacy of bussing on Boston Public Schools. I also couldn’t be more excited about the Uniondale UFSD Studies Department’s new partnership with the Library of Congress as a member of the Teaching with Primary Sources Network. Huge thanks to the Library’s amazing staff and network members for such a thoughtful orientation. To top it all off, I had the chance to geek out listening to Ken Burns discuss his upcoming American Revolution project—can’t wait to see it next year! Feeling energized and inspired to bring these experiences back.

The holidays can be a stressful time any year, let alone during a period of such polarization. When gatherings bring together friends and family with opposing perspectives and values, how do we reach across ideological differences to create productive dialogue? Click through for five helpful tips developed by our partners at The Better Arguments Project.

The historical narrative about Thanksgiving has long been a one-sided story that glorifies colonization and ignores the full truth of history, particularly for the Indigenous people of the United States. While many historians and activists have worked to disrupt public memory as it relates to the imagined history of Thanksgiving, the true agency of the story lies in the hands of Indigenous communities who recognize the fourth Thursday of November as the National Day of Mourning. Learn more about the legacy of the Thanksgiving story.

This year our All Community Read features a selection of texts on the theme of borders and belonging. Join us on December 4 to learn about resources and strategies to engage adults and students with one or all of our selected texts. ??: Register today!

If you’re currently attending the National Council for the Social Studies Annual Conference, join us today along with Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation and Echoes & Reflections for a session entitled “What Can Auschwitz Teach Us Today: Holocaust Memory and its Implications for Educating in the Future.” From 1:05-1:40 pm EST in Room 200 at the Hynes Convention Center, we will discuss how to foster historical awareness and critical thinking among students while equipping educators with groundbreaking tools for Holocaust curricula. We hope to see you there.

The most uncomfortable conversations are sometimes the most important to building a healthy democracy and society—but having those discussions can feel insurmountable without the right tools. In our latest Ideas This Week article, Facing History President and CEO Desmond K. Blackburn, Ph.D offers perspective to school and district leaders on facilitating respectful dialogue and finding our shared humanity in polarized times.

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance. As we commemorate this day and Transgender Awareness Week, we honor those who have lost their lives to anti-transgender violence while recognizing trans resilience and survival. Click through to find resources that can help educators acknowledge and reflect on Transgender Day of Remembrance inside and outside the classroom.

The Shine a Light Civic Courage Awards, powered by The Jewish Education Project, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional courage in combating antisemitism through education. In a time when antisemitism is on the rise, these awards illuminate the efforts of those standing up to hate, inspiring others to do the same. Celebrate civic courage! Submit students, educators, gamers, and influencers who take bold action to combat these dangerous trends. Whether through education, activism, or creative expression, recipients of this award are lighting the way forward at a time when standing against hate has never been more crucial. Submissions are due by November 25, 2024. Two recipients in each of the eight categories will receive a $2,000 prize and national recognition for their impactful work. Submit your nominations today:

Native American Heritage Month is the perfect opportunity to expand your horizons and learn more about this often-misrepresented group that is so central to the fabric of our nation. Click through to discover seven vital films on Native American history and life, covering topics ranging from the impact of women in the American Indian Movement (AIM) to Navajo death metal.