Collection
Media and Strategies for Community Matters
This collection contains all of the digital resources referenced throughout Community Matters: A Facing History & Ourselves Approach to Advisory.
At a Glance
Language
English — USSubject
- Advisory
Grade
8–10- Culture & Identity
- Equity & Inclusion
Overview
About This Collection
This page is designed for educators using Community Matters: A Facing History & Ourselves Approach to Advisory. It contains all of the digital resources referenced throughout the curriculum.
Inside this Collection
Jonathan Lykes Performs "Perception"
Facing History student Jonathan Lykes presented his poem "Perception" at a Facing History benefit dinner. The poem, which won a regional poetry contest, is about how prejudice influences our decisions about helping others.
The Danger of Silence
In this TED Talk, teacher, poet, and activist Clint Smith reflects on finding the courage to use his voice to speak up for truth and justice.
Bully Zones
Students at a high school in Ohio raise awareness about bullying by mapping the spaces in their school where bullying takes place.
Leaving a Positive Footprint
Students at a California elementary school learn about the impact of bullying and lead a cross-grade project to create a more inclusive and welcoming school community.
Names and Identity
What does your name say about you? Use this essay by Chinese American teenager Jennifer Wang to explore the relationship between name and identity.
Barometer: Taking a Stand on Controversial Issues
Structure an active class discussion in which students express their opinions by standing along a continuum.
Big Paper: Building a Silent Conversation
Students have a written conversation with peers and use silence as a tool to explore a topic in depth.
Bio-poem: Connecting Identity and Poetry
Students clarify aspects of their identity or the identity of a historical or literary figure by writing poems that focus on deeper elements of personal makeup like experiences, relationships, hopes, and interests.
Concentric Circles
This kinesthetic discussion activity invites students to be active listeners and speakers and to interact with a wide range of classmates.
Concept Maps: Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate
Students sort, arrange, and connect their thoughts on an idea or question, creating a visual representation of their understanding.
Exit Tickets
Use exit tickets to assess students’ understanding, monitor their questions, or gather feedback on your teaching.
Fishbowl
Use the Fishbowl discussion strategy to help students practice being contributors and listeners in a group conversation.
Gallery Walk
A gallery walk activity gets students moving as they explore a range of documents, images, or student work displayed around the classroom.
Graffiti Boards
Help students process their thoughts and emotions on a topic by engaging them in a written conversation with their classmates.
Identity Charts
Use identity charts to help students consider the many factors that shape their own identity and that of groups, nations, and historical and literary figures.
Jigsaw: Developing Community and Disseminating Knowledge
Students will become “experts” on a topic and then share their new knowledge with peers.
Journals in the Classroom
Create a practice of student journaling to help your students critically examine their surroundings and make informed judgments.
Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn
Educators will structure a discussion that uses journaling and group work to strengthen students’ listening skills.
Life Road Maps
Educators will enrich students’ understanding of a historical or literary figure by having students draw the figure’s life journey.
Read Aloud
Encourage class participation and develop students’ active listening skills by reading aloud text excerpts.
Save the Last Word for Me
This discussion strategy helps students practice being both active speakers and active listeners in a group conversation.
S-I-T: Surprising, Interesting, Troubling
Use this quick way for students to demonstrate their engagement with a text, image, or video by having them identify what they find surprising, interesting, and troubling.
Socratic Seminar
A Socratic Seminar invites students to facilitate a discussion in order to work together toward a shared understanding of a text.
Storyboard
Help students track a story’s main ideas and supporting details by having them illustrate important scenes.
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share activities facilitate thoughtful group discussions by having students first reflect individually and discuss their ideas with a partner.
Unlimited Access to Learning. More Added Every Month.
Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.
Exploring ELA Text Selection with Julia Torres
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.
Working for Justice, Equity and Civic Agency in Our Schools: A Conversation with Clint Smith
On-Demand
Virtual
Listen to writer and educator Dr. Clint Smith as he shares his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.
Centering Student Voices to Build Community and Agency
On-Demand
Virtual
Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.
Using the strategies from Facing History is almost like an awakening.
—
Claudia Bautista, Santa Monica, Calif
