Social Studies Guidance & Resources
The 91±¬ÁÏÌý(91±¬ÁÏ)Ìýcommemorates the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month with theseÌýdigital resourcesÌýfor K-12 educators. This curated list is not exhaustive but highlights key historic sites, museums and cultural institutions that mark the African American experience in New York StateÌý(NYS).ÌýAdditionalÌýresources from state and national libraries, archives, and other digital humanities projects are also gathered here.ÌýÌýWe invite NYS educators to kick offÌýthe month of FebruaryÌýwith an introduction to the history of Black History Month using any combination of theÌýBlack History MonthÌýresources provided here.ÌýTheseÌýresourcesÌýalso support theÌýNew York State K-12 Social Studies FrameworkÌýfor the development of instructional materials related to African American history and culture.Ìý
The resources below are intended to support teaching and learning about Black history not only during Black History Month, but throughout the entire year.ÌýThe sites listed are offered as suggestions for ideas and inspiration,Ìýas allÌýcurriculum and instructional decisions are made locally by districts, schools, and educators.Ìý91±¬ÁÏ does notÌýrequire, recommend, endorse, or advise on any specific program or product.Ìý
New York State Resources
Additional Resources
- (Resources from the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)
2026 marks the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded by Carter G. Woodson, has released its and . Additionally, ASALH has compiled a robust that provides useful graphics for educators including timelines, slide decks, infographics and other instructional materials.ÌýÌý
Black History Month Reading Recommendations
Grades K-5:
by Deborah Hopkinson.
by Rio Cortez
Ìý
Grades 6-12:
by Carter G. Woodson
Teachers:
by Jarvis R. Givens
by Dawnavyn James
BHM Curriculum Resources
Ìý
Historic Sites & Landmarks
- ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Museums
- ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìý- museum opening in 2026
Cultural & Arts Institutions
ÌýLibraries and Archives
Ìý
The New York Public Library
Websites and Other Digital Resources
Ìý
The New York Public Library
Ìý
Holocaust Instruction Survey
On August 10, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law Chapter 490 of the Laws of 2022 requiring a survey regarding instruction on the Holocaust within New York State public school districts.Ìý Through the survey, superintendents were required to attest that the district is teaching about the Holocaust appropriately as part of classroom instruction aligned with the NYS Social Studies Learning Standards and §801 of Education Law.Ìý A report of the findings of the survey was delivered to the governor, the temporary president of the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the senate, and the minority leader of the assembly and is available below.
Final Report on Survey Findings
- Holocaust Instruction in New York State Public School DistrictsÌý– A report on findings from the Fall 2022 survey of New York State public school districts regarding instruction on the Holocaust within the state.
Holocaust Instruction in New York State
The New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework requires instruction in the Holocaust at specific grade levels. While instruction of human rights and the Holocaust is discussed and taught throughout K-12, it is more explicitly taught in the 8th, 10th, and 11th grades when students learn about the horrors of the Holocaust, the Nuremberg Trials, and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Ìý Holocaust Education resources can be found below and on the 91±¬ÁÏ Social Studies webpage.Ìý
Holocaust Education Resources
This section houses a collection of resources and guidance to support Holocaust education.Ìý Utilization of the 91±¬ÁÏ’s resources to support curriculum development and instruction is optional; all instructional decisions are made at the local level.ÌýThe sites below are provided as options and sources for ideas and inspiration only. The list is also not exhaustive; there are many quality resources and learning activities available online.
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- Created through a collaboration with theÌý,ÌýtheÌýÌýand theÌý91±¬ÁÏ, thisÌýonline resource platform for educatorsÌýincludesÌýlearning activities, readings, case studies, and a variety of additional resources to support diverse learners.
- Ìý (Washington, D.C.)
- ​: Includes getting started guide, guidelines for teaching and foundational teaching materials including lesson plans, videos and virtual field trips.
- (NY)
- for educators and on the Holocaust
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- Teaching materials and educational materials from partners including UNESCO, Yad Vashem, and B'nai B'rith International
- (Israel):Ìý The World Holocaust Remembrance Center
- , including videos, online sources, international projects and activities, and educational materials in other languages
- (NY)
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- Includes websites, links to curricula, museums, and memoirs
Effective September 1, 2024, every school district serving high school students grades 9-12 with no districtwide or school building peer-selected student government is required to establish at least one student government organization within such district or school building.Ìý
In celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and subsequent American Revolution, the 91±¬ÁÏ’s (91±¬ÁÏ) Office of Standards and Instruction (OSI) has developed this interdisciplinary resource guide. The 250th anniversary marks a pivotal moment in the history of our nation and the state of New York. It presents a unique opportunity to examine lessons from our past, while also looking towards building a future where the ideals of the Revolution are extended to all Americans.
250th Anniversary of the American Revolution New York State Resource Guide
250th Anniversary of the American Revolution New York State Resource Guide Memo
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Each year on September 17, our nation comes together to celebrateÌýConstitutionÌýand Citizenship Day.
Pursuant to federal law (Public Law 108-447, Section 111), all educational institutions receiving federal funds are required to hold an educational program about the United StatesÌýConstitutionÌýon September 17, known nationally asÌýConstitutionÌýDay and Citizenship Day.
New York State Resources
The 91±¬ÁÏ has developed a memorandum that includes resources and activities designed to support educators in teaching about the United StatesÌýConstitution:ÌýConstitution and Citizenship Day
Additional Resources
U.S. Department of Education:Ìý
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from SeptemberÌý15 to OctoberÌý15. Its origin dates back to 1968 when it was initially established as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a monthlong celebration.ÌýThis month of special recognition coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries. SeptemberÌý15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on SeptemberÌý16 and SeptemberÌý18, respectively. The resources listed below are provided for informational and inspirational purposes only. Please note that this list is not comprehensive; numerous high-quality educational resources and learning activities are available through various online platforms.