Confronting White Nationalism In Schools
Classroom Resources
Welcome!
On this page, you will find resources developed and selected by Western States Center to supplement the Confronting White Nationalism in Schools toolkit. These materials were created and curated in consultation with classroom teachers to help users broach toolkit concepts with young people in a variety of settings.
Please note: These resources are not intended to be used as a substitute for anti-bias, anti-racist or anti-bullying curricula. They will be most effective when taught in school communities where equity is an explicit goal, and where values of kindness and mutual respect are clearly articulated by teachers, support staff, administration and visibly displayed throughout the building.
It is also important that educators establish trusting relationships with their students and develop classroom community norms before embarking on these activities. To support this foundational work, we have curated a list of external school climate and classroom culture resources for your convenience.
Teaching young people to recognize dangerous ideas that fuel white nationalism is critical, not only to the safety of individuals but to our democracy. By using these activities in your classroom, community group or any student-centered setting, you can help strengthen their knowledge base and their ability to lead with their values when they encounter bigoted actions and rhetoric.
Classroom Activities
In this literacy-based activity, students deepen their understanding of the concepts of backlash and scapegoating by exploring real-world examples often used by far-right or anti-democracy groups.
In this bundle of activities, students will learn about the complexity of free speech arguments and explore some common misconceptions about this Constitutionally protected right.
In this lesson, students will learn about the beliefs that underpin eugenic acts and movements, how to recognize this dehumanizing and dangerous ideology, and how to resist such ideas when they encounter them today.
Helping Students Choose Credible Sources
Helping students evaluate sources for validity and credibility is a powerful way to foster dialogue and critical thinking. Here is one example of a rubric designed to push back against students citing bigoted sources while remaining focused on learning goals. For more information, see "Signaling and Citing White Nationalist Ideologies," on page 21 of the third edition of the toolkit.
More classroom resources are coming soon.
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Related Resources
These resources can help you and your administration lay a foundation of trust and build the skills necessary to have effective school-wide conversations about identity and belonging. They can also support necessary learning about white supremacy and systemic racism, forces that shape the environment within which white nationalism flourishes.
Establishing Classroom Community Norms
Community Matters: A Facing History and Ourselves Approach to Advisory
Critical Practices for Anti-bias Education: Classroom Culture
Teaching About Chattel Slavery
Teaching About Indigenous History and Native Genocide
Discussing Race, Racism, and Other Critical Topics
Let’s Talk! Facilitating Critical Conversations with Students
Teaching Current Events: Racial Justice in the United States
School Climate Resources
Anti-Bias and Anti-Racist Curricular Resources
Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance)