Minnesota Civics Summit - A new, collaborative effort to jumpstart the new civics standards for 11th and 12th graders in Minnesota, to support teachers in their engagement of students in civics and voting. Organizing partners include the Federal Bar Association, LWV Minnesota, MN Council on the Social Studies, MN Department of Education, MN Humanities Council, MN Youth Council, TeachingCivics.org, YMCA Center for Youth Voice, and other interested teachers, community members and civics organizations. Join us!
Saturday, February 22nd ~ 11:30 am to 3:00 pm
St. Cloud State University / Atwood Memorial Center
(Download promotional flyer here.)
“By its very definition, civic responsibility means taking a healthy role in the life of one’s community. That means that classroom lessons should be complemented by work outside the classroom. Service-learning does just that, tying community service to academic learning.” ~John Glenn, Astronaut & US Senator
OVERVIEW
What does it look like to build a classroom where students have productive discussions on challenging topics? A key evidence-based practice in civics education is the discussion of current events and controversial issues, but in today’s polarized political climate, many students are experiencing fewer opportunities to engage in these kinds of essential discussions in their classrooms. Spend the first half of the session exploring a method for building student capacity for civic discussion in ways that allow them to cultivate empathy and develop their own voice. Then, share your thoughts and needs about the resources and support you need to teach the new Academic Standards in Social Studies, and meet the new legislative requirement that students take a course for credit in citizenship and government in 11th or 12th grade.
WHAT
The Minnesota Civics Summit is designed to be a day of listening, learning and engaging one another to improve civics education in Minnesota.
Listening sessions, to learn from Social Studies teachers about what they would like from community civics resource;
Connections to the current Civics standards being implemented, to help create relevance for teachers and bolster meaning for students;
Consideration of other relevant standards (i.e. Ethnic studies) in preparing the presentation for the full group;
Showcase of current successful programs and ideas, with a focus on 11th-12th grade curriculum, to create a directory of resources for classroom teachers.
Toolbox of relevant resources (i.e. groups, speakers, best-practices) to help teachers make meaningful Civics-related connections within their communities as part of their Civics teaching.
WHEN
Saturday, February 22, 2025, a pre-conference opportunity in tandem with the Minnesota Council for the Social Studies annual meeting.
9:00am to 11:30am - A Gathering of Civics Resource Organizations to discuss how they can support social studies teachers in the classroom.
Showcase organizations delivering Civics programming in Minnesota’s state and local governments, judiciary, and civic organizations throughout the state, with a goal to provide a comprehensive directory of civics resources for teachers to engage students in their learning.
11:30am Lunch & Networking
12:00pm Welcome & Introduction to MN Civics Summit
12:15pm Professional Development Workshop on Respectful Conversations in Schools™
A highly interactive workshop where educators will learn about and practice a strategy for having challenging, respectful conversations in class about important, sometimes divisive, issues. Led by Amy Anderson, YMCA Center for Youth Voice.
1:45pm Short Break
2:00pm Listening & Sharing Session to Support Teachers in Implementing Anchor Standards
Small and large group discussions on current tools being used, existing gaps, needed supports, and new efforts to help teachers. Led by Brittany Rawson-Haeg, MN Department of Education.
2:45pm Large group report out, wrap-up, summary and adjourn by 3:00pm
WHY
Civics is important! And the timing is right to increase youth civic engagement, as the civics standards for 11th and 12th graders are changing. We hope to support curriculum leaders and teachers to enhance student engagement in civics.
HOW
“Our children should learn the general framework of their government and then they should know where they come in contact with the government, where it touches their daily lives and where their influence is exerted on the government. It must not be a distant thing, someone else’s business, but they must see how every cog in the wheel of a democracy is important and bears its share of responsibility for the smooth running of the entire machine.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Updated 2024-12-17