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ON YOUR RADAR
DSN announcements, upcoming events, Professional Development opportunities, and information about activities in our Democracy Schools.
~ATTENTION MATH TEACHERS
"Citizen Math challenges students to think critically and collaborate openly around key cultural and societal issues impacting them today. In the process, this approach builds individual confidence, deepens peer relationships, and more fully readies these young people to actively participate—and make a difference—in the world they will soon inherit." (Citizen Math website.)
This past year, a couple of our DSN math teachers participated in a book discussion of Karim Ani's book, Dear Citizen Math. As a result of that discussion, they wrote a grant (which was approved) that would provide the opportunity for some of our schools to use the Citizen Math program (interactive tools, student and teacher materials) with their students for the upcoming school year. If you are interested in participating in this project, please contact Sue.
~ATTENTION SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS
If you would like to be kept current on current Social Studies standards, course mandates, and resources to support both, we invite you to sign up for the Illinois Civics Hub newsletter here.
~WE ARE FACING HISTORY: A COMMUNICATION CONVERSATION SERIES
On Thursday, September 29, the first event in this series will take place. Join the conversation about the state of our democracy and civic education with Dr. Danielle Allen and Dr. Peter Levine. Both Dr. Allen and Dr. Levine are scholars, public policy experts, and national voices on the importance of civic engagement. Together we will explore the necessity of fostering active civic participation and ways we can work across differences to break down polarization and build a stronger democracy. Here is more information about this event.
~CONNECTING CLASSROOMS TO CONGRESS
This project will develop and test a social studies curriculum module that enables high school students to study—through a bipartisan lens—a pressing issue with which policymakers at the national level are grappling. Teachers will receive a $1,000 stipend for participation. More details are available here.
~STREET LAW STUDY
Street Law is looking for ten teachers to participate in a study of their Deliberations curriculum. The study lead is Dr. Paula McAvoy, co-author of the Political Classroom. Teachers will receive $350 stipend for participation. Here is more information.
~DSN Grants (formerly known as RFP Stipends)
The Democracy Schools Network (DSN) offers a grant program on a yearly basis so active Democracy Schools have an opportunity to apply for funds to support work that enriches the civic learning experiences of students and improves the school’s organizational culture to provide a more democratic landscape. This has been a very successful program and has enabled many of our schools to innovate in ways that would not have been possible otherwise.
In order to reflect more accurately the timeline that our teachers work with, we have shifted the submission periods. This allows members to consider projects they would like to have in place at the beginning of the school year, as well as projects that will not be considered until after school has resumed in the fall.
· First funding period: May 1–June 15
· Second funding period: September 15–November 1
We hope this shift will allow more of our DSN members to think about new possibilities for civic learning opportunities in their classrooms and schools. We look forward to hearing your ideas! You can access more details and the application here. (Note: There is a different form if you are planning a collaborative effort with one or more other schools.)
~CIVIC LEARNING ACROSS DISCIPLINES Webinar Series
Please join us as we explore Student Voice in this year's series—the second Thursday of the month (except December), from 4–5 pm.
October 13– Is Responsiveness to Student Voice Related to Academic Outcomes? Dr. Erica Hodgin from the Civic Engagement Research Group.
November 10– Civic Equity for Students with Disabilities: Leah Bueso, JD, Ph.D., from the Civic Engagement Research Group.
January 12– Helping Students Navigate the Public Policy Process: Dr. Shawn P. Healy, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy at iCivics.
February 9– Student Voice 360: Heather Van Benthuysen and Chicago Public Schools Department of Student Voice and Engagement.
March 9– Taking Informed Action with Data from the Illinois Democracy Schools: Dr. Kelly Siegel-Stechler, Senior Researcher at the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement CIRCLE at Tufts University.
For detailed description of sessions and registration.
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