NCSS Teaching about Refugees

About the partnership

We are proud to present this The Refugees in the Classroom curriculum that was developed in collaboration with the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS). NCSS is the largest professional association in the United States dedicated to social studies education, supporting educators in fostering informed and engaged citizenship through high-quality resources and professional development.

This resource is designed for all classrooms to help educators introduce students to the experiences of refugees, fostering civic engagement and peer-to-peer understanding.

How to use these materials

The teaching materials are available free of charge to Rho Kappa National Honor Society Advisory Council members and all social studies educators. You cannot alter the materials (except when explicitly mentioned), but you can adapt the lesson plans to fit your group of students. Make sure you always mention UNHCR and NCSS as the source. 

Sign up to receive the curriculum here.

Videos and other materials linked in the lessons plans and teachers guide can be viewed on UNHCR’s Teaching About Refugees YouTube channel.

Booking a refugee speaker

In Lesson 3 of the Refugees in the Classroom program, a refugee speaker will share his or her story and take questions from students. Instructions and ideas for how to find a refugee speaker in your community are on page 25 in the teacher's guide.

If you would like to request support from UNHCR in scheduling a virtual or in-person refugee speaker, please email Mandi Lindner at [email protected]. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.