Teaching Central America
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An online collection of lessons, book lists, biographies of noted historical figures, and readings for free use by classroom teachers.
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Period: All US History
All US History
A People’s History of Muslims in the United States: What Textbooks and the Media Miss
By Alison Kysia
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When I teach history related to Islam or Muslims in the United States, I begin by asking students what names they associate with these terms. The list is consistent year after year: Malcolm X, Elijah Muhammad, and Muhammad Ali.
All of these individuals have affected U.S. history in significant ways. If we take a step back and look at the messages these figures communicate about Muslims in U.S. history, we see a story dominated by men and by the Nation of Islam. Although important, focusing solely on these stories leaves us with a skewed view of Muslims in U.S. history. Even these examples are a stretch. Most of my students reference 9/11 as the first time they heard of Muslims.
All of these individuals have affected U.S. history in significant ways. If we take a step back and look at the messages these figures communicate about Muslims in U.S. history, we see a story dominated by men and by the Nation of Islam. Although important, focusing solely on these stories leaves us with a skewed view of Muslims in U.S. history. Even these examples are a stretch. Most of my students reference 9/11 as the first time they heard of Muslims.
The New (and Improved?) Textbook Columbus
By Bill Bigelow
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Recently, I ran across an old manual that described itself as “An easy step-by-step guide to obtain U.S. Citizenship.” A page of history and government questions begins:
This was the simple, and simplistic, history that I learned in 4th grade in the early 1960s growing up in California — a kind of secular Book of Genesis: In the beginning, there was Columbus; he was good and so are we.
And it stayed the history that most everyone learned until the Columbus quincentenary in 1992 brought together Native Americans, social justice organizations, and educators to demand a more inclusive and critical version of what occurred in 1492 and after.
Q: Who discovered America?
A: Christopher Columbus in 1492.
A: Christopher Columbus in 1492.
This was the simple, and simplistic, history that I learned in 4th grade in the early 1960s growing up in California — a kind of secular Book of Genesis: In the beginning, there was Columbus; he was good and so are we.
And it stayed the history that most everyone learned until the Columbus quincentenary in 1992 brought together Native Americans, social justice organizations, and educators to demand a more inclusive and critical version of what occurred in 1492 and after.
1919, The Year of Racial Violence: How African Americans Fought Back
Book — Non-fiction. By David F. Krugler. 2015.
This book details the wave of racist violence that swept the United States in 1919, through the lens of Black armed resistance and freedom struggle.
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This book details the wave of racist violence that swept the United States in 1919, through the lens of Black armed resistance and freedom struggle.
Our House Is on Fire — Time to Teach Climate Justice
Article. By Bill Bigelow. Rethinking Schools, Spring 2019.
For too long, the fossil fuel industry has tried to buy teachers’ and students’ silence. But teaching climate justice has never been more urgent.
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For too long, the fossil fuel industry has tried to buy teachers’ and students’ silence. But teaching climate justice has never been more urgent.
The Water Will Come: Rising Seas, Sinking Cities, and the Remaking of the Civilized World
Book — Non-fiction. By Jeff Goodell. 2018. 352 pages.
Early 21st century societies scramble to fight rising seas and science journalist Jeff Goodell predicts what will happen if (and when) we fail.
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Early 21st century societies scramble to fight rising seas and science journalist Jeff Goodell predicts what will happen if (and when) we fail.
We the Resistance: Documenting a History of Nonviolent Protest in the United States
Book — Non-fiction. Edited by Michael G. Long, foreword by Chris Hedges, afterword by Dolores Huerta. 2019. 610 pages.
Encounter the voices of activists sharing instructive stories through narrative and primary documents.
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Encounter the voices of activists sharing instructive stories through narrative and primary documents.
The Untold History of the United States: Young Readers Editions, Vols 1 (1898-1945) & 2 (1945-1962)
Book — Non-fiction. By Oliver Stone and Peter Kuznick. Adapted by Susan Campbell Bartoletti and Eric S. Singer. Vol 1. 2014. 400 pages. Vol 2. 2019. 320 pages.
These are two volumes of illustrated histories, adapted for students from a documentary book and film of the same name.
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These are two volumes of illustrated histories, adapted for students from a documentary book and film of the same name.
A Queer History of the United States for Young People
Book — Non-fiction. By Michael Bronski, adapted for by Richie Chevat. 2019. 336 pages.
A young adult readers edition of the original text explores the history of LGBTQ+ experiences in the U.S. since 1500.
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A young adult readers edition of the original text explores the history of LGBTQ+ experiences in the U.S. since 1500.
One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps
Book — Non-fiction. By Andrea Pitzer. 2017. 480 pages.
Starting with 1890s Cuba, this book is a chronological and geopolitical history of concentration camps that is filled with prisoner perspectives.
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Starting with 1890s Cuba, this book is a chronological and geopolitical history of concentration camps that is filled with prisoner perspectives.
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
Book — Non-fiction. By Ibram X. Kendi. 2016. 608 pages.
This book chronicles the origins and growth of anti-Black racist ideas, and their power, over the course of U.S. history.
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This book chronicles the origins and growth of anti-Black racist ideas, and their power, over the course of U.S. history.
An African American and Latinx History of the United States
Book — Non-fiction. By Paul Ortiz. 2018. 296 pages.
This narrative, intersectional history describes the shared struggle for African American and Latinx civil rights, and argues that the “Global South” was crucial to the development of the United States.
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This narrative, intersectional history describes the shared struggle for African American and Latinx civil rights, and argues that the “Global South” was crucial to the development of the United States.
Teaching Voting Rights in 2020
Though our students' textbooks suggest otherwise, on this 150th anniversary of the 15th Amendment the struggle for ballot access is not over.
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The Southern Mystique
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 1964.
In one of his earliest published works, Howard Zinn writes about his experiences teaching and organizing with the Civil Rights Movement in the South.
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In one of his earliest published works, Howard Zinn writes about his experiences teaching and organizing with the Civil Rights Movement in the South.
Disobedience and Democracy: Nine Fallacies on Law and Order
Book — Non-fiction. By Howard Zinn. 1968.
A cogent defense of civil disobedience.
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A cogent defense of civil disobedience.
The Land That Never Has Been Yet
Podcast. Produced by John Biewen with co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika. 2020. Center for Documentary Studies.
This twelve-part series tells a story of the United States from its beginnings up to the present that questions the traditional narrative about democracy as a foundational value.
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This twelve-part series tells a story of the United States from its beginnings up to the present that questions the traditional narrative about democracy as a foundational value.
Rad American History A-Z: Movements and Moments That Demonstrate the Power of the People
Book — Non-fiction. By Kate Schatz and illustrated by Miriam Klein Stahl. Ten Speed Press. 2020. 176 pages.
Paired with dynamic paper-cut art, readers explore several centuries of U.S. politics, culture, art, activism, and liberation.
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Paired with dynamic paper-cut art, readers explore several centuries of U.S. politics, culture, art, activism, and liberation.
Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream
Book — Non-fiction. By Blair Imani. 2020. 192 pages.
An illustrated chronicle of the Great Migration and African American history in the 20th century.
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An illustrated chronicle of the Great Migration and African American history in the 20th century.
A Black Women’s History of the United States
Book — Non-fiction. By Daina Ramey Berry and Kali Nicole Gross. 2020. 288 pages.
A history that emphasizes the perspectives and stories of African American women to show how they are — and have always been — instrumental in shaping our country.
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A history that emphasizes the perspectives and stories of African American women to show how they are — and have always been — instrumental in shaping our country.
Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All
Book — Non-fiction. By Martha S. Jones. 2021. 368 pages.
This book excavates the lives and work of Black women from the earliest days of the republic to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and beyond.
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This book excavates the lives and work of Black women from the earliest days of the republic to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and beyond.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Book — Non-fiction. By Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. 2020. 320 pages.
Described as 'Stamped from the Beginning' "remixed," this young adult book brings African American history into sharp focus as context for the here and now.
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Described as 'Stamped from the Beginning' "remixed," this young adult book brings African American history into sharp focus as context for the here and now.
Mississippi Governor Attacks Teaching of People’s History
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves' state budget proposal include three million dollars for a “Patriotic Education Fund,” which argues that "the United States is the greatest country in the history of the world."
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The United States Is Not a Democracy. Stop Telling Students That It Is.
By Ursula Wolfe-Rocca
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When our students only learn about this exceptionally strange system, the electoral college, from their corporate-produced history and government textbooks, they have no clue why this is how we choose our president. More importantly, they develop a stunted sense of their own power — and little reason to believe they might have the potential to create something better.
A Disability History of the United States
Book — Non-fiction. By Kim E. Nielsen. 2013.
Covering the entirety of US history from pre-1492 to the present, this is the first book to place the experiences of people with disabilities at the center of the American narrative.
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Covering the entirety of US history from pre-1492 to the present, this is the first book to place the experiences of people with disabilities at the center of the American narrative.
IDA Treaties Explorer
Digital collection. View digitized historic treaties between Indigenous tribes and the U.S. government alongside key historic works that provide context to the agreements made and the histories of shared lands.
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