We Will Always Be Here Education Materials
Grades 6-12
Multiple class periods
Explore Wisconsin's history of LGBTQ+ activism with a rich collection of examples of individuals across a wide spectrum of identities who have helped to empower others to make a positive change in the world.
Download Resource GuidePlease note that some primary resources used in these activities contain offensive language in quotations from historical figures (offensive words appear in full). Please review all materials before assigning them to students to ensure they are appropriate and to provide historic context.
Objectives
Enduring Understanding
Wisconsin's history is full of extraordinary and often untold stories about LGBTQ+ people who changed our world for the better.
Essential Questions
- What is activism?
- How can activism lead to change?
- Why is it important to use both primary and secondary sources to study history?
- How do LGBTQ+ activists make their voices heard despite forces that attempt to suppress them?
Students will:
- Be able to recognize actions that can be defined as activism.
- Reflect on what steps they can take to be civically engaged.
- Analyze historical sources to better understand modern conditions.
- Understand the context of the struggles of LGBTQ+ activists.
Activity
A Companion Piece to "We Will Always Be Here" by Jenny Kalvaitis and Kristen Whitson
Use these materials to go deeper into the primary sources as your students further explore themes of empowerment and personal activism.
Download Resource GuideWe Will Always Be Here
Educators and students can bring Wisconsin’s LGBTQ+ history to life by purchasing We Will Always Be Here. This compelling collection pairs seamlessly with our classroom activities, providing a meaningful way to explore activism, community-building, personal storytelling, and the power of young people to create positive change.
WisHistory Education
History matters! The Wisconsin Historical Society provides field trips, learning opportunities, civics education programs, teacher professional development and more.
Explore Educational Resources
Other Classroom Resources
Act 266 Book List
Book List and strategies for teaching Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history
Act 266 Scope & Sequence
Classroom resources for a semester length, 5 unit study of Hmong history, culture, and traditions for high school students aligned with Wisconsin Social Studies standards.
Coming to America
Educational materials about the history of Hmong immigration to Wisconsin in comparison and context of global conflicts and regional displacement.
Creating a Story Cloth
Educational resource to help students learn the history of Hmong embroidery, the meaning of story cloths in Hmong culture, and create their own version of a story cloth.
Finding Freedom Education Materials
Education materials based on the book Finding Freedom about the Underground Railroad, Joshua Glover, and the Fugitive Slave Law in Wisconsin
Hmong Leaders in Wisconsin Communities
A series of 3-5 grade lesson plans to support teaching about Hmong immigration history and leadership in Wisconsin communities.
Last Updated: May 21, 2026
