Teaching elementary students about the difficult chapters of United States history requires particular attention to the developmental appropriateness of materials and the specific pedagogy used to teach topics such as slavery and the treatment of Indigenous peoples. This workshop provides K-5 educators with opportunities to engage in peer conversations around the teaching of “hard history” and guidance on how and when to introduce these subjects to students in culturally affirming, historically accurate ways. We will unpack the state framework, explore teaching strategies and work with a variety of resources curated to help students engage with these topics in ways that explore identity, oppression, and empowerment in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.