More than two dozen summer teacher institutes are offered by federal courts across the country. Federal judges, volunteer attorneys, legal scholars and court staff create realistic courtroom experiences and offer classroom-ready resources for high school and middle school teachers who seek to deepen their understanding of the third branch. Most of these tuition-free programs range from three to five days at courthouses in almost every federal court circuit. Those that are co-sponsored with a law school or university are eligible for education credits. Go here for more information. Read More ⟶
Apply for Presidential and Congressional Academies
The Center for Civic Education is implementing a multiyear grant from the U.S. Department of Education for Presidential Academies for teachers and Congressional Academies for high-need high school students. The Academies provide high-quality educational engagement in American history and civics. Fifty-one teachers and 102 students from throughout the country participate each year in the Academies Read More ⟶
A Roundup of 2020 Summer Institutes
We’re compiling a list of summer institutes and professional development offered by Civics Renewal Network partners. Check back often as more institutes will be added in the coming months. Read More ⟶
Sign Up for National Constitution Center’s Classroom Exchanges
With lesson plans based on the scholarly works of the Interactive Constitution and classroom-tested materials on civil dialogue, the National Constitution Center’s Classroom Exchanges provide students the opportunity to use their voice and answer constitutional questions about topics that matter in their lives. These online, real-time conversations between your class and another class across the United States build student confidence in sharing their voice and provide students the skills to disagree without being disagreeable.
In addition to providing an opportunity for your students to discuss essential constitutional issues with their peers from across the country, exchanges meet Social Studies, English, and Speaking & Listening Standards through inquiry-based learning, all while promoting SEL skills through civil dialogue techniques. Sign up for an Exchange here or email Exchange@ConstitutionCenter.org with questions about the program.
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Resources for Black History Month, Presidents Day
We’ve pulled together collections of the best of the resources available to make it easy for teachers to find useful classroom materials for all grades. Explore 60-Second Civics Podcasts on impeachment, free speech debates and primary sources. News in the Network includes videos, a webinar, and a look at CRN at NCSS. Read More ⟶
Nominations Open for National History Teacher of the Year Award
Nominate your favorite history teacher for the National History Teacher of the Year award, which recognizes exceptional K-12 American history teachers across the nation. The national winner will receive $10,000 and will be honored at a ceremony in New York City. Each state winner will receive $1,000 and an archive of classroom resources. Deadline is March 31, 2020. Go here to learn more. Read More ⟶
Resources on Economics, Dr. King and Impeachment
We’ve pulled together collections of the best of the resources available to make it easy for teachers to find useful classroom materials for all grades. Explore 60-Second Civics Podcasts on impeachment, free speech debates and primary sources. News in the Network includes videos, a webinar, and a look at CRN at NCSS. Read More ⟶
Apply for Library of Congress Summer Teacher Institute
The Library of Congress is accepting applications for its weeklong summer institutes for K-12 educators. Held at the Library of Congress in D.C., this professional development opportunity provides educators of all disciplines with resources and strategies to effectively integrate primary sources into K-12 classroom teaching. Each session will focus on pedagogy, with an emphasis on Read More ⟶
Gilder Lehrman Announces New Student Contest
The Gilder Lehrman Institute announces a new contest, 50 States, 1 Nation, for fourth and fifth graders for the 2019–2020 school year. (Students in grade 6 are also eligible to enter if they are currently enrolled in an elementary or K–8 school, and they are studying U.S. history.) The goal is to help expand students’ Read More ⟶
Applications Are Open for Teaching American History Colloquia
Join your colleagues at a historical site to deepen your understanding of American history. Bring the past to life through documents and discussion-based lessons with subject matter experts at a multiday colloquium sponsored by TeachingAmericanHistory.org. The seminars, which count for in-service hours, are free. Learn more here. Read More ⟶