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Civics Pathway 3: Foundational Civics Pedagogies, Grades 6-12

LOCATION: In person and online options available
COST: Free (Only Open to Massachusetts Public School Educators)
Dates: to
Register by:
Register (Massachusetts Educators)

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 two days 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 civiclearning@gse.harvard.edu.

Working effectively with others; disagreeing civilly; considering other perspectives–civic learning happens at all ages. This pathway will help teachers of grades K-5 explore the social studies standards to think about civic learning opportunities in their classrooms. Participants will learn and apply pedagogy and content specific to their grade level. Workshop and module topics are being developed by Massachusetts K-5 civics teacher leaders and will be available on this page by mid-July 2024.
 

In-person workshop day (up to 7 PDPs)

Join teachers from across Massachusetts for a day of civics-focused learning. You will be able to choose three sessions to participate in. All sessions will be co-facilitated by two Massachusetts teacher leaders, one who teaches grades K-2 and one who teaches grades 3-5. Workshops will address the topic from both the K-2 and 3-5 lens.

  • Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025; 9am - 3:30pm; Fitchburg, MA area

  • Participants can choose three workshops (from five) to attend over the course of the day.

  • The topics for these in-person workshops will be the same as the topics offered in virtual format (see below). Topics will be listed on this page by mid-July 2024.
     

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

Come as you are for these evening and Saturday opportunities to learn with and from other Massachusetts teachers! These will be interactive Zoom sessions co-facilitated by two Massachusetts teacher leaders, one who teaches grades K-2 and one who teaches grades 3-5. Workshops will address the topic from both the K-2 and 3-5 lens. 

  • Tuesdays; Jan. 21, Feb. 25, 2025; 7-8:20pm

  • Wednesdays; Jan. 8, Jan. 29, Feb. 12, 2025; 7-8:20pm

  • Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025; 9-10:20am

  • The topics for these virtual workshops will be the same as the topics offered at the in-person workshop day (see above). Topics will be listed on this page by mid-July 2024.


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 K-2 and 3-5 teachers. Pathway 3 will offer six modules. Topics will be listed on this page by mid-July 2024.

Modules open on Jan. 27, 2025, and close on March 31, 2025. Participants can complete the modules at any time during this period. (Register by March 17, 2025)

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, Feb. 6, and Thursday, March 6, 2025; 7-8pm via Zoom