Facing History
Finding a high-quality US History program that resonates with diverse learning needs and backgrounds can be a daunting task for parents. In my quest to uncover the most effective resources, I extensively researched Facing History for US History, drawn to its unique approach in blending historical depth with ethical reflection. Facing History was founded with the purpose of helping students connect past events with current social issues, an endeavor that has earned it numerous accolades and a loyal following among educators. What I particularly appreciate about Facing History is its focus on developing critical thinking and empathy through its interactive curriculum, which uses real-world scenarios to teach pivotal historical events. This program is ideally suited for students who are not only keen on learning about history but are also interested in understanding the complex human behavior behind these events. One caveat, though not a dealbreaker, is that the program's intensive nature may be challenging for younger students or those less prepared for its emotional depth. A pro tip for parents: supplement the curriculum with discussions at home to further enrich your child’s learning experience and deepen their engagement with the material.
Grades: 6-12th grades
Cost: Free
The in-depth review
About Facing History
Facing History and Ourselves is a distinctive educational program that was created with the intent to engage students in a detailed exploration of the most challenging aspects of history, such as the Holocaust and civil rights movements. The program has been recognized with several awards for its innovative approach to education, emphasizing social justice and moral reasoning.
Who Facing History is for
This program is tailored for middle and high school students who are ready to engage with historical content that discusses ethical decisions, injustices, and human behavior. It is especially suited for students and educators who seek a deeper understanding of how history shapes our society and personal identities today.
Why I recommend Facing History for US history
Facing History offers an unparalleled approach to US History by intertwining historical facts with ethical questions and social justice themes. This encourages students not only to learn history but also to apply its lessons to contemporary issues, fostering critical thinking and empathy.
How Facing History works
Facing History uses a combination of resources like workshops, detailed curricular guides, and a vast digital library. Teachers are supported through professional development and gain access to a network of like-minded educators. The curriculum is adaptable, allowing educators to tailor the material to their classroom's specific needs.
What Differentiates Facing History from other history programs
Facing History and Ourselves stands out from other US History programs due to its focused integration of social justice and moral reasoning into the study of historical events. Unlike traditional curricula that often present history in a linear, fact-based format, Facing History encourages students to connect historical events with contemporary issues through a critical lens, exploring themes of racism, prejudice, and moral choice. This program not only covers standard historical content but also delves deeply into the social dynamics and ethical dilemmas that shaped these events, offering case studies like the Holocaust, the Reconstruction era, and the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, Facing History provides extensive professional development for educators, which equips them to facilitate complex discussions and helps create an inclusive classroom environment that fosters empathy and civic responsibility. These elements make it uniquely effective in cultivating a deeper understanding and critical analysis of history among students.
What Facing History covers
Facing History and Ourselves covers a wide range of educational content focused on historical events and their connections to contemporary issues, particularly through the lens of moral decisions, prejudice, and social justice. Here’s a detailed list of the core content areas the program covers:
Holocaust and Human Behavior: Examining the rise of the Nazis and the consequences of indifference and discrimination, and the moral questions they raise.
Racism and Civil Rights: Exploring the history and impact of racism in the U.S., including key events and figures in the Civil Rights Movement.
Genocide and Mass Violence: Covering various genocides and mass violence incidents around the world, including the Armenian Genocide, Rwandan Genocide, and others.
Immigration: Discussing the impact and contributions of immigrants, as well as the challenges they face in new societies.
Choices in Little Rock: Focusing on the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the broader struggle for racial equality in education.
Upstanders in History: Highlighting individuals and groups who have taken stands against injustice and made positive contributions to society.
Reconstruction Era and the Fragility of Democracy: Studying the period following the Civil War, the attempts to rebuild and transform the Southern states, and the implications for American democracy.
Current Events in the Classroom: Providing resources and strategies to connect historical content to current events, helping students see the relevance of history in today’s world.
Updates and Additions
Recently, Facing History has expanded its digital resources and updated its curriculum to include more contemporary issues such as media literacy and bias, which are essential for understanding current global and national events.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Facing History
What Parents Like about Facing History
Deep Engagement with Content: Facing History encourages students to deeply engage with historical events, particularly focusing on human behavior, ethics, and social justice, which fosters a comprehensive understanding of history’s impact on current events.
Development of Critical Thinking: The curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking and moral reasoning skills by challenging students to consider the moral implications of historical events and their own responsibilities in today’s world.
Extensive Support for Educators: Facing History offers substantial professional development opportunities for educators, including workshops, a robust network of teachers, and continuous access to resources that help enhance teaching strategies and classroom engagement.
Interactive and Inclusive Curriculum: The program uses a variety of teaching methods including guest speakers, multimedia resources, and case studies that cater to diverse learning styles and help create an inclusive classroom environment.
Positive Long-term Impact: Many reviewers noted that the program had a lasting positive impact on students’ perspectives on history and current events, encouraging empathy and active citizenship.
What parents dislike
Intensity of the Material: Some of the content can be intense, dealing with sensitive topics such as genocide and racial violence, which may not be suitable for all student age groups or may require careful handling to ensure it is age-appropriate.
Cost: Although the program offers free resources, some aspects of the curriculum, such as certain workshops and materials, can be expensive, which might limit accessibility for underfunded schools or educators.
Mixed Reviews on Effectiveness Measures: Research findings, such as those from the What Works Clearinghouse, show mixed results on the effectiveness of Facing History in improving measurable academic outcomes in areas like behavior and moral reasoning.
Time-Consuming Implementation: The depth and breadth of the curriculum require a significant time investment from educators to plan, implement, and facilitate, which can be challenging in a standard academic schedule.
Requires Well-prepared Teachers: To effectively deliver the complex content and facilitate discussions on sensitive issues, teachers need to be well-prepared and comfortable with the material, necessitating robust initial and ongoing training.
Tips from Parents on how to get the most out of Facing History
Many parents recommend supplementing the curriculum with discussions at home, connecting historical events to current news, and encouraging students to reflect on their personal values in relation to historical events and figures.
Select Reviews from Parents and Teachers
"Super super wonderful can't say enough good legit best ever."
"They are serious about their work and the curriculum they will give you is so well-conceived."
"Facing History has influenced the way I view the world since I was a kid." - acadiatree
"Some of their best teachers have used this program and implemented it in their classroom. As a parent...(and my boys) Facing History add the humanitarian component."
Why Trust Me
With over two decades of teaching experience across diverse educational settings—including conflict regions and multicultural classrooms—I bring a broad perspective to evaluating educational programs. My background in American Studies and active engagement in social justice initiatives informs my holistic view of what makes an impactful history curriculum.
How I Vetted
To assess Facing History, I delved into numerous reviews from educators and parents, consulted with historical and political experts, and compared it against other US history programs. This comprehensive review process ensures that my recommendations are well-founded and impartial.
What I Looked For and How Facing History Stacks Up
Comprehensive: Facing History provides a thorough exploration of US and world history with a strong focus on critical events like the Holocaust, Civil Rights, and other pivotal moments. The program is designed to connect historical events to contemporary issues, offering depth and context that goes beyond many traditional history curricula.
Secular: The program maintains a secular approach to teaching history, focusing on ethical decisions, moral reasoning, and social justice without promoting any religious perspective. This makes it suitable for a broad educational use across diverse student populations.
Accurate: Facing History is known for its meticulous research and use of primary sources. The curriculum is developed in collaboration with historians and scholars, ensuring that the material is not only accurate but also reflective of the latest historical scholarship.
Decolonized: The curriculum attempts to present history from multiple perspectives and focuses on stories and histories that are often marginalized. This includes detailed case studies on events like the Rwandan Genocide and the impact of colonialism, aiming to provide a more rounded view of history.
Inclusive: One of the core strengths of Facing History is its emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. The program includes diverse historical narratives and encourages students to consider the history from the perspective of various ethnic and cultural groups.
Anti-racist: Facing History explicitly addresses racism, antisemitism, and prejudice. It equips students with the understanding and skills to challenge these issues in historical and contemporary contexts, promoting an anti-racist outlook.
Mastery-based: The curriculum supports mastery-based learning by encouraging deep engagement and understanding before moving on. Students reflect on complex issues and engage in activities that reinforce their learning and understanding over time.
Aligned with school standards for US History: Facing History aligns well with national educational standards for US History. It provides educators with resources to integrate the curriculum into broader educational requirements effectively.
Fun and engaging for kids: The use of interactive methodologies, such as role-playing, debates, and multimedia resources, makes Facing History engaging for students. However, the "fun" aspect may vary as some topics are heavy and require sensitive handling. The inclusion of contemporary issues and active participation does help make the lessons more relevant and engaging for students.
The Bottom Line
Who is Facing History an ideal fit for?
Facing History is ideal for students who are not just looking to memorize historical facts but to understand and question the moral implications of these facts. It suits educators who aim to develop critical thinking and ethical reasoning in their students.
Who is Facing History not a fit for?
It may not be suitable for younger students or those who are not yet ready to tackle complex and often disturbing issues of injustice and violence in history.
Alternatives and supplements to Facing History
Curiosity Chronicles
For World History: Curiosity Chronicles offers a more age-appropriate, engaging narrative style that is suitable for younger learners. This curriculum provides a comprehensive world and US history overview in a manner that is accessible and entertaining, making it easier for young minds to grasp historical concepts without the intense focus on moral dilemmas and harsh realities found in Facing History.
Crash Course
For YouTube lovers: For learners who engage better with visual and auditory content, Crash Course provides concise and visually engaging history lessons. These videos are well-suited for students who might find traditional or text-heavy approaches less appealing and can benefit from the dynamic presentation style of YouTube content.
Digital Inquiry Group
For free, inquiry-based learning: Another phenomenal program that’s also inclusive, but with more of an inquiry-based, than a social justice focus is Digital Inquiry Group. DIG emphasizes inquiry-based learning, ideal for students and educators without the budget for more extensive programs. The resources are designed to encourage critical thinking and understanding of historical events through primary sources and interactive teaching strategies, making it a practical choice for economically constrained educational environments.
The best things in life are free!
Given its comprehensive resources, professional development for educators, and the transformative impact on students, Facing History offers significant free of charge.
Ways to Get Facing History
Facing History resources can be accessed through their official website, where educators can sign up for workshops, borrow materials, and join the educator network.
Affilate Disclaimer
This review is an unbiased evaluation based on extensive research. I may earn a commission from purchases made through links in this review, but this does not influence my recommendations.
Sources
Facing History and Ourselves Character Education
Facing History and Ourselves | What Works Clearinghouse
Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Facing History and Ourselves: Holocaust and Human Behavior
how reputable/useful is "Facing History and Ourselves"? : r/Teachers
Facing History and Ourselves Review for Teachers | Common Sense Education
Vol. 3 No. 1 | Tom Laichas: An Interview with Facing History and Ourselves
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