A letter shared from iCivics:
Dear Teacher,
As you take on the overwhelming task of helping students process the disturbing events that took place at our nation's Capitol yesterday, we stand with you.
There is no perfect lesson plan for this moment. Sometimes the best plan is to just provide a safe place for questions, concerns, and dialogue. Students experience our constitutional democracy in different ways, which means each classroom conversation will be unique. We know that as your students ask about what happened, question the electoral process, compare protest footage, and reflect on what these events mean for us, you will skillfully meet them where they are.
Amidst the chaos, we know that civic education empowers students to take ownership of the direction of our constitutional democracy. It teaches the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to solve civic issues by engaging across differences with respect, empathy, and sensitivity.
While you are there for your students, we are here for you. We will continue to provide resources that you can use to build civic strength in your classrooms so that your students become empowered to take informed action. Here are some that you can use in the coming days:
Lessons and activities on the Constitution and teaching resources on the electoral process and executive branch.
Printable infographic and a teacher’s guide on the Peaceful Transfer of Power.
Lessons to support teaching about news literacy and misinformation.
Resources on the peaceful transfer of power from the Bill of Rights Institute.
A compilation of resources crowdsourced by educators during #sschat (social studies chat) on Twitter.
Resources on the Constitution and the Election from the National Constitution Center.
A compilation of resources on the Foundations of Democracy and Government offered by Share My Lesson.
A lesson idea from Mikva Challenge.
A teaching strategy from Facing History and Ourselves.
As you navigate this moment, we are here with you in unwavering solidarity as well as hope for better days ahead. Congress went back to work, the Electoral College results were certified, and our institutions held as they should.
The republic still stands.
Sincerely,
Emma Humphries
Chief Education Officer, iCivics
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