News - Zinn Education Project

100+ Teaching for Black Lives Study Groups Formed for New School Year

For four years now, Teaching for Black Lives study groups have been sponsored by nurturing communities of anti-racist educators across the United States. This school year, more than 100 study groups are investigating what it means to teach for Black lives.

#TeachTruth About Constitution Day

On this Constitution Day, let’s commit ourselves to teach the truth. Let’s look deeply and critically at how this document may have offered a republican form of government for some, but denied humanity to others, and contributed to the system of white supremacy we still need to dismantle.

Teaching in Dangerous Times: Lessons from SNCC

SNCC veterans Courtland Cox, Jennifer Lawson, and Judy Richardson discuss how the lessons they learned during the Civil Rights Movement are applicable today. This session was part of the Zinn Education Project’s Teach the Black Freedom Struggle online people’s history series.

Book Bans Threaten Public Education

In 2023, not only are books being banned, but also the right to teach about racism and LGBTQI identity — essentially placing thousands more titles off limits. The official lists of banned books are a drop in the bucket.

The Climate Crisis Has a History

We offer a new timeline of the climate crisis that traces its roots from European colonial expansion and racial capitalism to present-day fossil fuel industry and government projects that exploit and destroy the Earth in the name of maximum profit. It also emphasizes moments and movements of resistance and activism that inform climate justice work today.

Teachers Describe Chilling Impact of Anti-Education Laws

While book bans make the headlines, the chilling effect of the bans and anti-education laws have an even deeper impact. Our Teaching for Black Lives study groups provide support for teachers in the face of these dire conditions. However, we want to alert everyone to the nature of the repression.

Labor History Censored on Labor Day

Lessons, books, articles, films, and upcoming events on labor history.

Teaching for Black Lives Study Groups Light a Fire of Hope in Hard Times

Teaching for Black Lives study groups have been a vital source of strength, support, and guidance during an impossibly difficult time for teachers.

Teaching a People’s History of the March on Washington

Here are recommended resources to teach outside the textbook about the March on Washington on this 60th anniversary.

The Fight for Black History in Schools

On Monday, November 13, 2023, historian Michael Hines will discuss his book A Worthy Piece of Work: The Untold Story of Madeline Morgan and the Fight for Black History in Schools. This session is part of the Zinn Education Project’s Teach the Black Freedom Struggle online people’s history series.

NOT a Natural Disaster

The climate crisis is not in some distant future. It is being felt around the world with heatwaves, floods, and most dramatically with the wildfires in Hawaii. Our hearts go out to the people of Maui, who face the tragic loss of lives, homes, and entire communities.

Defend the Freedom to Learn in Georgia: Back-to-School Read-Aloud

To start the school year with an affirmation of the freedom to learn, there is a read-aloud activity scheduled in Georgia. The goal is to make the commitment to learning and to all students visible. Educators will not hide in the shadows.

Teach the Black Freedom Struggle Online Classes

Online classes for educators on teaching the Black Freedom Struggle. People's historians interviewed by classroom teachers and teacher educators.

Teaching for Black Lives study group photos from participants across the U.S.

Teaching for Black Lives Study Groups

The Zinn Education Project hosts Teaching for Black Lives study groups each year. Applications are open now for the 2023-2024 school year.

Sinéad O'Connor performing at the Ramsbottom Music Festival on Sunday 15th September 2013.

Sinéad O’Connor: Artist of Conscience

In our role play, “Hunger on Trial,” on the Irish Famine, we feature two of Sinéad O’Connor’s poignant songs: “Skibbereen” and “Famine.” Honor Sinéad O’Connor by drawing on her insight, anger, and poetry in your curriculum.

Young people marching and rallying for climate justice.

Climate Silence Jeopardizes Students’ Future

With record heatwaves and toxic air due to wildfire smoke, the mainstream media remain silent about climate change and fossil fuels. In the face of media silence, educators must fill the gap and we offer #TeachClimateJustice campaign resources to do so.

A graphic highlighting comments of why people registered for the ZEP site this week.

Why I Signed Up for People’s History Lessons | July 15 – 21

Hundreds of teachers register at the Zinn Education Project website each week to access lessons and resources. We love hearing how people found us and why they’ve signed up. Check out these most recent reasons why people registered.

Freedom to Teach History Conference in Florida

Flagler College hosts the conference The Freedom to Teach: Confronting Complex Themes in Contested Spaces to bring history and civics educators from a variety of different backgrounds to share their perspectives on and experiences with teaching difficult topics.

People’s History Banned in Florida

In the face of attempts by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to ban AP African American studies, social justice books, and critical race theory in K–12 schools (and now DEI in public colleges), we take a look at stories in Florida history that would be off limits to students.