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

LOCATION: In person and online options available
COST: Free (Only Open to Massachusetts Public School Educators)
Dates: January 15, 2025 to April 14, 2025
Register by: April 01, 2025
Pre-Register for Fall 2024

Event Details


DESE Civics Pathways

  • The Civics Pathways are designed and facilitated by Massachusetts teachers.
  • Currently, aside from the online workshop registration, the Civics Pathways are open only to Massachusetts public school educators.
  • The deadline for registering for workshops is one day prior to the workshop date.
  • The deadline for registering for the self-paced online learning is two weeks prior to the end date.
  • If you have any questions, please email pzlearn@gse.harvard.edu with “Civics Pathways Registration” in the subject line.

Civic learning doesn’t only happen in civics classes! This pathway focuses on instructional approaches and strategies that teachers in grades 6-12 can use in any discipline to foster students’ civic learning and skill development.

SPECIAL DATE: Managing Difficult Conversations (Virtual Workshop) (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs)

  • Thursday, September 26, 2024; 7 - 8:20pm; online

The first weeks of school are an important time for establishing your classroom culture. This workshop, offered in a special session earlier than the rest of Pathway 2, will present strategies you can use to build your learners’ skills at engaging in civic discourse around challenging topics. The workshop will be repeated on Jan. 28, 2025 (in person), and on Feb. 5 and Feb. 8, 2024 (virtual).
 

In-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)

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.

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

  • 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
       

Virtual workshops (1 hour, 20 mins / 2 PDPs each)

Facilitated by Massachusetts civics teacher leaders, these will be interactive Zoom sessions. All workshops will include materials for both middle and high school teachers. Come as you are for these evening and Saturday opportunities to learn with and from experienced civics teachers! 

  • Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning: Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025; 7-8:20pm

  • Linguistically Sustaining Pedagogy for Civic Learning: Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025; 7-8:20pm

  • Managing Classroom Conversations about Difficult Topics: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025; 7-8:20pm; REPEATED ON Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025; 9-10:20am
     

Self-guided online learning modules (6 hours / 9 PDPs each)

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 middle and high school teachers.
 

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)

  • Module topics

    • Learning Through Inquiry

    • Engaging with Primary Sources

    • Media and News Literacy
       

Peer-to-peer Learning Hour (1 hour / 1.5 PDPs each)

Pathway participants will have the opportunity twice during the pathway to engage with other teachers to exchange ideas and plan for applying their learning from the pathway. Facilitated by DESE civics teacher leaders.

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