National Holidays

National Holidays How did Columbus Day become a National Holiday? Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving with food such as turkey? Discussing national holidays help us understand why we celebrate some national holidays with certain traditions and how we can commemorate new national holidays as they are established.    Download Guide

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Doing History

Doing History History plays an important role in how we remember and educate about our past, but one person’s recollection and perspective can differ vastly from another’s.  Discussing why and how our communities remember our history provides an opportunity to reflect on the value of history.   Download Guide

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Breaking Bread

Breaking Bread Food plays an important role in our day-to-day lives.  Talking about how food provides an opportunity to understand the role it plays in our lives—from celebrating culture to providing nourishment, food is a reflection of who we are in our communities.   Dowload Guide

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American Experiment

American Experiment When American Revolutionaries signed the Declaration of Independence, they began an experiment in government where the government was beholden to citizens rather than the crown. Discussing how the “American Experiment” continues 250 years later offers opportunities to better understand the roles and responsibilities of government in our lives.  Download Guide

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A More Perfect Union

A More Perfect Union The United States has come a long way since 1776. People in the United States have used political documents such as the Constitution to create a positive impact on their community. Discussing what “a more perfect union” looks like provides opportunities for Idahoans to explore how we can continue striving towards…

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August 24th, 61 from Markings

Dag Hammarskjold

Embrace the changing of the seasons with some thoughts from former UN Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dag Hammarskjold, translated from Swedish by Leif Sjoberg and W.H. Auden. Vägmärken or Markings, is the journal where Hammarskjold collected his thoughts beginning in 1925 when he was 20 years old. This journal was discovered in…

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Wild Geese

Mary Oliver, poet

IHC board members Dr. Mac Test and Dr. Bob Reinhardt from Boise State University both share this poem as a favorite!  Layer up for an early morning hike, or layer down for an afternoon walk, and enjoy Wild Geese by Mary Oliver.

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Josh Udesen

Josh Udesen won Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2024 for grades 9-12 at Riverstone International School in Boise. For over twenty years, Josh Udesen has found that his world religions course is an ideal platform for encouraging curiosity about the variety of expression of the human spirit and teaching students about the value of our differences.…

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Raul Pedraza

Raul Pedraza won Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2024 for grades 6-8 at Vallivue Middle School in Caldwell. Named Vallivue Teacher of the Year in 2023, Raul Pedraza believes that a history curriculum is made up of many great stories. Pedraza helps Latine students connect with their cultural heritage by emphasizing the ancient Mesoamerican…

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Annika Berry

Annika Berry won Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2024 for grades K-5 at Pioneer Montessori School in Ketchum. Annika Berry has served as Lead Guide of the Lower Elementary classroom at Pioneer Montessori School since 2020. Lovingly referred to as Miss Annika, she nurtures a classroom community of personal choice, openness of expression, and…

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