As a result of Public Act 119 of 2023 Section 1102, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) has developed the American History Toolkit (HTK). The HTK is a searchable database designed to connect Michigan K-12 social studies teachers and leaders with existing, vetted resources to support “teaching of the full and complex American history across subject areas including the histories of communities of color and other marginalized communities.”
Teaching resources found within the HTK website such as lesson and unit plans are connected to the Michigan K-12 academic standards. All plans are aligned to social studies content expectations, and some interdisciplinary connections. Aligned standard can be found by selecting each resource, and clarification is provided when a standard partially aligns.
This website is a living document, with resources vetted by the HTK guidance committee being added on an ongoing basis. The guidance committee was created to reflect the diverse identities, experiences, and perspectives of Michiganders. As a result, the committee includes teachers, parents, academics, community members, and organizations from many different backgrounds. In addition to the resources already provided within this platform, the MDE invites educators to submit resources that can enhance the goals of the HTK for guidance committe review using a form on the Teachers Supporting Teachers page.
The HTK builds upon the Michigan Department of Education’s ongoing commitment to the teaching of and learning about comprehensive history through the Teaching Comprehensive History webinar series and providing mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors to lifelong literacy learning through literacy resources.
For more information on how resources are included and future goals of the project, please visit About the American History Toolkit.
Watch: How to use this toolkit.
Begin exploring the toolkit resources below or use the search bar to find specific content.
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Ugly History: The Armenian Genocide
This 7+ minute animated video and accompanying background information illustrates the history of the Armenian Genocide. There are also thought provoking questions, a quiz, and more information for deeper, richer discussion and exploration. Please be mindful how you discuss genocide with your students. It is an important topic, and one that requires sensitivity and care both for those affected, but also ourselves and our students. -
Who Killed Vincent Chin: Civil Rights Activism
From the website: "In this lesson, students will: (1) investigate evidence to determine how the killing of Vincent Chin was racially motivated, (2) demonstrate how to stand up for a civil rights issue, and (3) analyze the mistakes of the American justice system" The lesson takes place over two 50-minute class periods with optional homework in between. PBS and History Toolkit Cautions: Please be advised that this lesson plan contains material that may be sensitive for some students. Also, referring to anyone of Asian descent as “oriental,” a Japanese or Japanese American person as a “Jap,” or that someone might be "handicaped" because they are Chinese is inappropriate and racist. -
Integrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA) in Your Everyday Teaching
These slides are from a webinar by the Asian American Education Project aimed to help teachers integrate APIDA histories into their existing teaching. The slides share examples of APIDA inclusion into existing curriculum, pedagogical strategies to do so, and reflective questions to help K-12 history teachers probe their own teaching. Example teaching strategies/historical moments are: - Angel Island and Ellis Island - Japanese Incarceration during WWII, Treatment of Muslim Americans and South Asian Americans post 9/11, and U.S. Detention Facilities at the Border - Tape vs. Hurley and Brown vs. Board - Immigration Patterns of Southeast Asian refugees as a result of the Vietnam War - Lue Gim Gong saves Florida's Citrus Plants - Colonization of Hawai'i Standards for each example are below. -
How To Celebrate and Honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Paul Flores IV (Apache) details ways to include Indigenous knowledges, histories, and cultures into your teaching, especially if you do not identify as Indigenous. Flores says in paragraph 3, and we want to highlight: "It’s important to approach topics related to Indigenous peoples with thoughtfulness and care, as many of these subjects can be quite sensitive. Previewing any content before showing your class is recommended to make sure it’s presented in a respectful, culturally appropriate manner. By making the effort to learn directly from Native voices, you can gain invaluable insights into the vibrant, living cultures that have inhabited this land for millennia and participate in the important work of honoring and preserving these irreplaceable traditions." -
The LGBTQ+ Identity: Teacher's Guide
From the website: "Understanding LGBTQ+ Identity: A Toolkit for Educators offers a series of digital media resources to help teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and other educators understand and effectively address the complex and difficult issues faced by LGBTQ students. "These resources, intended for use in teacher professional development settings or with GSAs, feature short segments of video content from the groundbreaking PBS Digital Studios show First Person. First Person delivers candid personal narratives illustrating larger conversations about gender, sexuality, social norms, and identity development. "All video content is scaffolded by a suite of materials (informational text, conversation guides, discussion questions, and teaching tips) to facilitate their use in either classroom or professional development settings. The videos and accompanying educational resources are designed to help promote understanding, awareness, and self-esteem." -
Chaldean American Month Video Series
A 4 minute, 4-part YouTube playlist that explores: 1. Who are the Chaldeans? 2. Aramaic Language 3. Religion 4. Demographics
