Help students recognize the value of a diverse democracy in their classrooms, schools and communities. These PD resources include best practices and strategies for classroom culture, instruction, and family and community engagement.
Classroom Culture
Let's Talk!
Use these strategies as you prepare to facilitate difficult conversations about elections, social inequality, discrimination or other topics. And check out our related webinar.
Building Community
While students may not always agree, they should be able to listen, express opinions and debate with respect. These resources can help you guide students in their discussions and model civil discourse.
Instruction
Teach 2016
In the lead-up to the 2016 election, the TT Advisory board answered teachers’ questions and made recommendations for teaching about elections during a time of increased partisanship.
Countering Bias
Given the rhetoric surrounding many modern elections, you may need to do some work countering bias before you begin leading critical conversations with students. These resources will help students recognize and respond to bias against immigrants, Muslims and Sikhs.
Shifting Out of Neutral
One history teacher explains how he pushes students toward critical literacy—and away from the idea that there are good people on both sides of every issue.
PD Café: How Much Do You Know About Voting In the United States?
Check in with yourself using the “Voting Ease Checklist” from this PD Café to think critically about the ways your own experience might shape your approach to teaching students about voting and elections.
Family and Community Engagement
Webinar: Voting and Voices—Engaging Students & Families in Democracy
Our September 2018 webinar with Rock the Vote is now available on demand! In it, you'll learn about free, use-tomorrow resources and strategies to help combat polarization in the classroom and create a culture that encourages civil discourse. You'll also explore lessons on the history of voting in our country and state-specific guides for conducting voter education and registration drives.
Webinar: The Young and the Registered
This hour-long webinar, first run in 2016 and available on demand, features special guests from the League of Women Voters. In it, you’ll learn ways to energize students regarding power politics and the role voting plays in representative democracy.
