Who can request a complimentary copy?
Eligible teachers and educators may request a complimentary copy of Courage Can Save US for classroom evaluation, while supplies last. Eligible educators include teachers, professors, instructors, librarians, curriculum coordinators, and administrators at public, private, and charter schools, as well as community colleges and universities. Homeschool educators, ROTC instructors, and dual-enrollment programs qualify, as do leaders of civic organizations, leadership institutes, book clubs, and veteran and public service programs.
Is the Teaching Guide free?
Yes. The Courage Can Save US High School Teaching Guide is free for any educator considering using the book in the classroom. There is no cost and no licensing requirement.
Can I request books for my students?
Yes. Thanks to a generous donor to With Honor, qualifying schools may request donated classroom sets of Courage Can Save US. Tell us how you plan to use the book and our team will follow up about availability.
What standards does the Teaching Guide align with?
Every lesson in the Courage Can Save US High School Teaching Guide maps to the NCSS C3 Framework for grades 9–12 across Dimensions 1, 2, and 4 — including D1.1.9-12, D2.Civ.2.9-12, D2.Civ.7.9-12, D2.Civ.10.9-12, D2.Civ.14.9-12, D4.1.9-12, and D4.7.9-12. Lessons also map to AP U.S. Government and Politics (1.1.A, 1.2.A, 2.3.A, 4.8.A, 5.3.B, 5.7.A), AP Comparative Government and Politics (1.8, 3.4, 3.5), AP U.S. History (Unit 9, Topics 9.6 and 9.7), and IB Global Politics. The C3 Framework is guidance rather than a required national standard; states and districts set their own social studies requirements.
Do students need to read the whole book?
No. Lessons in the Courage Can Save US High School Teaching Guide assign short excerpts with page numbers rather than whole chapters, so a teacher can run a full class session without assigning the book.
Who wrote the Teaching Guide?
The Courage Can Save US High School Teaching Guide was co-authored by Carrie Venable, M.S., a college professor, secondary educator, and curriculum developer, and Melissa Finn, who has taught history and government for more than twenty-five years, serves as an AP Exam Reader, and is a James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation Fellow and National Board Certified Teacher. Rye Barcott wrote the foreword.
How does the guide handle difficult topics?
Courage Can Save US and its Teaching Guide engage directly with January 6 and election certification (Lessons 3 and 9), the Afghanistan withdrawal and war powers (Lesson 7), and political violence and threats against officeholders (Lesson 9). These are handled through documented decisions and primary evidence rather than partisan framing. The Epilogue addresses suicide and mental health. The guide flags this in seven lessons and includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 by call or text. A Mental Health Resources page is also available on this website.
Is the curriculum nonpartisan?
Yes, by design. The Courage Can Save US High School Teaching Guide draws excerpts from five Democrats and five Republicans and supplies four analytic categories — courage, principle, ambition, and political calculation — while telling students explicitly that these categories overlap and that a decision can be both principled and strategic. Students are directed to evaluate the action and the evidence rather than whether they like the person, party, or policy.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Please reach out to couragecansaveus@withhonor.org for any additional questions.
Home
