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Civics Pathway 2: Powerful Pedagogies for Civic Learning, Grades 6-12

LOCATION: In person and online options available
COST: Massachusetts Educators: Free, All Others: $15
Dates: to
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CIVICS PATHWAY 2: POWERFUL PEDAGOGIES FOR CIVIC LEARNING

Civic learning does not happen only in civics classes. This pathway will help you extend your use in any subject of instructional approaches that help students build skills and dispositions important for civic engagement and community life. The workshops and modules are designed and facilitated by Massachusetts teachers and will include examples and applications for both middle school and high school.

Intended audience: Teachers and other educators in grades 6-12

If you have any questions, please email civiclearning@gse.harvard.edu


 

IN-PERSON WORKSHOP DAY (Up to 7 PDPs)

Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025; 9am - 3:30pm; Springfield, MA area

Join teachers from across Massachusetts for a day of civics-focused learning. All sessions will be facilitated by Massachusetts civics teacher leaders and will include materials for both middle school and high school.

Participants will have the opportunity to attend three sessions:

  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning
  • Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning
  • Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics

These workshops will also be offered virtually in January and February. See workshop descriptions and schedule below. You should register for EITHER the in-person day OR for virtual sessions.


 

VIRTUAL INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)

Pajama PD! Join these weekday evening and Saturday morning opportunities to learn with and from experienced civics teachers! All workshops will take place on Zoom. (The sessions will not be recorded. You must attend at the scheduled time in order to engage with the content.)

Culturally Sustaining Practices for Civic Learning

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025; 7-8:20pm ET

Culturally sustaining learning environments, where students' identities and experiences are viewed as assets for academic achievement and sociopolitical awareness, are a critical foundation for civic learning and development. Join us to deepen your understanding of principles and strategies for making your instruction more culturally sustaining and to reflect on applying what you have learned in your classroom.

Registration deadline: Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, 5pm ET

Linguistically Sustaining Practices for Civic Learning

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025; 7-8:20pm ET

For all students to learn to their potential, educators will be able to facilitate civic instruction that draws meaningfully on student assets and experiences. Research shows that linguistically sustaining practices help create learning environments where multilingual students thrive in their understanding of ways to engage civically in their communities. Join us to deepen your understanding of principles and strategies for creating linguistically sustaining environments that foster the civic learning and development of all students.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, 5pm ET

Managing Difficult Conversations

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025; 7-8:20pm ET; REPEATED ON Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025; 9-10:20am ET

Engaging students in conversations about difficult topics develops important civic skills and dispositions, but educators often find these conversations tricky to implement. Join this workshop to gain new strategies and resources for preparing for and facilitating discussions of difficult topics in your classroom.

Registration deadline: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, 5pm ET for Feb. 5 session; Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, 5pm ET for Feb. 8 session

SELF-GUIDED ONLINE LEARNING MODULES (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)

FOR 2024-25, OPEN ONLY TO MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS

Modules open on Feb. 10, 2025, and close on April 14, 2025. Participants can complete the modules at any time during this period. (Register by March 31, 2025.)

Go deep at your own pace and schedule! These self-guided learning modules let you explore a focused topic in depth, with examples, resources, and application for both 8th grade and high school teachers.

Module structure:

  • Reading and exploring strategies and resources: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Reflecting on and applying learning: 2 hours 30 minutes

Learning through Inquiry

Inquiry-based learning is an essential tool for civics pedagogy. This module will equip you with practical tools and strategies to foster curiosity, critical thinking, and strong student engagement. You will learn how to structure civics instruction to support inquiry across diverse student backgrounds, ensuring that all learners have meaningful opportunities to explore, question, and connect with civic concepts.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 31, 2025

Engaging with Primary Sources

Engaging with primary sources connects students directly to historical events, diverse perspectives, and real-world contexts. This module focuses on the transformative role of primary sources in civic learning, exploring why they are powerful tools for deepening student understanding of civic engagement. Discover strategies to help students access, analyze, critically evaluate, and produce primary sources, developing the skills of informed and discerning citizens.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 31, 2025

Developing Media and News Literacy

In today’s information-driven society, media and news literacy is crucial for civic learning and participation. This module explores key pedagogical practices that support media and news literacy that facilitate students learning to become informed, engaged citizens with the resources and skills to assess information. You will learn how to provide your students with the tools needed to make thoughtful decisions and contribute meaningfully to assessment of information vital to civic discourse.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 31, 2025

PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING HOUR (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

FOR 2024-25, OPEN ONLY TO MASSACHUSETTS PUBLIC SCHOOL EDUCATORS

Thursday, Jan. 30, and Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025; 7-8pm via Zoom

Engage with other teachers to exchange ideas and plan for applying your learning from the pathway. Facilitated by DESE civics teacher leaders.

Registration deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 5pm, and Wednesday, Feb. 26, 5pm

Use the same form to register for one or multiple sessions.


 

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