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- US History Curriculum Collection: Democracy & Freedom
![A group of high school students sit at desks in conversation.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/standard_hero_article_460_361_1x/public/2023-10/AdobeStock_254378868.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=zT6tSlDs)
US History Curriculum Collection: Democracy & Freedom
About the US History Curriculum Collection
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/brightcove/videos/images/posters/image_1656.jpg)
Centering on the themes of Democracy & Freedom, Facing History's new US History curriculum collection is designed to help students think critically about what it means to live in the United States as a free and full human being and draw meaningful connections between our country's complex history and their own lived experiences. The materials in the collection are intentionally curated to help empower students to become active citizens and deepen their understanding of their rights and responsibilities in their communities and our nation.
The identity of a nation like the United States is shaped by the ways people have worked individually and together to create a more free and fair democracy. This new collection builds on existing Facing History resources and has the arc of the academic year in mind, but no matter where in your course you begin to integrate these materials, taking time to create a classroom community that is open, inclusive, and prepared to tackle difficult conversations is a key element to our approach to teaching US History.
Once you've laid the foundation for deep and collaborative learning, you can utilize our carefully curated collection to explore a variety of historical periods and perspectives including the founding era, Reconstruction Era, the period of Asian exclusion and mass immigration at the turn of the twentieth century, and the Civil Rights movement.
Also included in the collection is a Choosing to Participate unit designed to help educators and students craft a dynamic capstone project at the culmination of their US History Course. This unit fosters the civic capacity of students by asking them to examine the civic actions of people in the past and present and imagine what freedoms they would like to see in their communities.
Continue exploring our US history resources and consider incorporating them into your curriculum to help inform and inspire students as they prepare to make their mark on the world.
Get a quick guided tour through the US History Curriculum Collection
Get an introduction to the resources featured in this curriculum collection and how they can fit into your US History course.
Our US History Curriculum Collection consists of a set of flexible resources to help you incorporate lessons about and apply the themes of democracy and freedom throughout your course.
Our approach to teaching US history emphasizes students’ capacity for civic agency and develops the historical inquiry skills students need to generate new and more complex questions about the past and present.
Download an overview of the collection to learn more about our classroom-ready resources and on-demand professional learning.
Get the overview
![An educator supports two students in school uniforms with a classroom activity.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/scale_480/public/2022-07/2019_classroomimage_FH2101484.jpg?itok=WVmO00s6)
Integrate This Curriculum with Your US History Course
Use our implementation guide to envision, plan, and teach a US History course that incorporates the collection's thematic throughline of democracy and freedom.
Curated with the arc of the school year in mind, the curriculum collection materials can be used in total, or you can select the resources that are best suited to your unique context.
Explore Democracy and Freedom in US History
This collection invites students to investigate the essential question, “What do democracy and freedom mean in US history and in our society today?” Through this curated set of US history lesson plans, units, and C3-style inquiries, students explore how progress toward greater freedom, equality, and justice are not inevitable.
These materials introduce voices not often included in textbooks, examine historic and ongoing injustices, and explore the lived experiences of many Americans. Primary sources throughout the collection highlight the work of those in our country who have demanded greater freedom and expanded civil and human rights.
Course Foundations | Teaching Materials for Exploring Identity & Building Community
Back to School: Building Community for Connection and Learning
![Students move around the classroom in conversation with each other. One student looks directly into the camera with a smile on their face.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-06/LA_ClassroomImage_2018_FH287148.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=lbbZPe6H)
My Part of the Story: Exploring Identity in the United States
![An illustrated collage of silhouettes in bright colors.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/MyPartOfTheStoryHeroBanner.jpeg?h=24d1b2c2&itok=G64Pvbce)
In Pursuit of Democracy and Freedom: A US History Inquiry
![Raised Hands](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/iStock-1295743312.jpg?h=f0aa43ba&itok=xw8m5p4Y)
Supplemental Curriculum | Flexible US History Units and Inquiries
We the People: Expanding the Teaching of the US Founding
![Outside of the classroom view of students and teacher.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/5-1-17FacH07068.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=0r6yJiZ2)
The Reconstruction Era 3-Week Unit
![Portrait of a family](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-11/service-pnp-ppmsc-00000-00057v_0.jpg?h=fba49d59&itok=n7irMmx4)
Angel Island Immigration Station: Exploring Borders and Belonging in US History
![Immigrants arriving at Angel Island.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Immigrants_Arriving_At_Angel_Island_1911_FH2186765.jpg?h=d1f0e8ce&itok=6TRmkYH9)
“I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till
![This six-episode documentary from PBS chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinx people in the United States.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-03/Getty-1249493023.jpg?h=a8856264&itok=ShMUJy1Y)
Culminating Capstone Project | Guide and Toolkit for Teachers
Democracy and Freedom: US History Capstone Project
![Two colorful hands reaching towards one another](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-09/iStock-1257176924.jpg?h=1bdf24e3&itok=VBCv6OBs)
![Instructor standing at a classroom table with two educators sittings at desk](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/scale_480/public/2022-10/8-10-17FacH09435_for_Web_or_Office_Use.jpg?itok=GAFxExs5)
Professional Development for US History
Explore a wide variety of professional learning experiences that support making the most of our US History Curriculum Collection.
Our approach to teaching social studies is proven to improve student outcomes and engagement.
Learn more
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Core Principles for Teaching about Freedom and Democracy in US History
![Magnifying Glass Over United States Map](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-07/Magnifying_glass_over_United_States_in_a_map.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=HnZlQvww)
Beyond the Founding Fathers: A More Inclusive Way to Teaching the Founding Era
![Image of the Preamble to the United States Constitution](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2024-06/WethePeople_FH2187950.jpg?h=dd503c25&itok=8mOdKx06)
Teaching the US Founding: An Inquiry-Based Approach
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![Outside of the classroom view of students and teacher.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/5-1-17FacH07068.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=0r6yJiZ2)
Why Teach Reconstruction Today?
![Man representing the Freedman's Bureau stands between armed groups of Euro-Americans and Afro-Americans.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-09/Freedman_bureau_harpers_cartoon_FH21213.jpg?h=83f3d97f&itok=jf0SD3Wz)
Teaching Reconstruction: A Conversation with Dr. Kidada Williams
On-Demand
![Picture of Dr. Kidada Williams.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-08/mj_Kidada_WILLIAMS_060916_04.jpeg?h=c77cc2dc&itok=g7iP9D-l)
Reexamining Reconstruction: A Conversation with Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries
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![A teacher speaking to a table of four students](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-07/NewEngland_Classroom_2017_%20FH256728.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=grB8pgg4)
Confronting the Legacy of Chinese Exclusion
![Captain examines passengers aboard the The Shimyo Maru vessel.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Examining_Passengers_Among_The_Shimyo_Maru_1931_FH2186864.jpg?h=d71efc7d&itok=qdqQhkml)
Borders and Belonging in U.S. History: The Angel Island Immigration Station
On-Demand
![Immigrants arriving at Angel Island.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-01/Immigrants_Arriving_At_Angel_Island_1911_FH2186765.jpg?h=d1f0e8ce&itok=6TRmkYH9)
Bringing Proximity and Perspective to the Emmett Till Story
![Emmett Till and his Mother](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2023-06/EmmettTill_and_His_Mother.jpg?h=9f031508&itok=9iXxMhu5)
6 New Books on Human Rights
![The words, "human rights" are highlighted within a text.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/istock-178100128_human_rights_text.png?h=a6c55029&itok=rh8-tcu0)
Anti-Trans Legislation: How We Got Here and Why it Matters
![crowd of people outside with a sign raised to protect trans kids](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.facinghistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/dynamic_stack_296_1x/public/2022-04/protect_trans_kids_sign_photo.png?h=a6c55029&itok=yP1CBUpC)
#MeToo Past and Present: 3 New Books on Challenging Gender Violence
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