The Civics Education Initiative is simple in concept. It requires high school students, as a condition for graduation, to pass a test on 100 basic facts of U.S. history and civics, from the United States Citizenship Civics Test – the test all new US citizens must pass.
The Civics Education Initiative is a first step to ensure all students are taught basic civics about how our government works, and who we are as a nation…things every student must learn to be ready for active, engaged citizenship.
Generation Citizen
GENERATION CITIZEN (GC) WORKS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT IN THE UNITED STATES RECEIVES AN EFFECTIVE ACTION CIVICS EDUCATION, WHICH PROVIDES THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY AS ACTIVE CITIZENS.
There is currently a branch in Massachusetts (as well as in Texas, Oklahoma, the Bay Area, and Rhode Island).
This website features a social studies curriculum:
Civic Youth: Youth Voting Data
The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) focuses on the political life of young people in the United States, especially those who are marginalized or disadvantaged. CIRCLE’s scholarly research informs policy and practice for healthier youth development and a better democracy. It is part of the Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.
This website contains research, graphs, and statistics on youth voter turnout and trends:
Teaching Global Citizenship
https://populationeducation.org/content/teaching-global-citizenship-trump-age
Population Education is...
the leading source for K-12 curriculum and professional development to teach about human population trends and their effects on the environment and society.
I haven't looked at this site too closely, but there seems to be lots of lesson plans. Historical, environmental, and economical perspectives on population trends and growth are all addressed in various lessons.
How to Lie With Graphs
This image has stuck in my mind for a few years, so I decided to share it with you. While it might not relate directly to this presidency, it does demonstrate one particular way to manipulate graphs to lead the viewer to different results:
Evidence-Based Argumentation
The Boston Debate League has several good activity templates to support evidence-based argumentation in the classroom.
iCivics
iCivics exists to engage students in meaningful civic learning. We provide civics teachers well-written, inventive, and free resources that enhance their practice and inspire their classrooms. Our mission is to ensure every student receives a high-quality civic education, and becomes engaged in – and beyond – the classroom.
iCivics was founded by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 2009. On the website, there are fun games and simulations about the senate and the president, as well as lesson plans and resources for teachers.
Newsela
I’m Telling My Kids . . .
Immediately after the election, the hashtag "I'm Telling My Kids" started trending on Twitter. Teachers were using it to share what they were going to tell their students. It hasn't been active since November, but it is an interesting snapshot of the moment:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Imtellingmykids?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
GLSEN
“GLSEN, which stands for the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization working to create safe schools for ALL students. We strive to ensure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”
This toolkit was developed for elementary schools, to focus on anti-bullying efforts:
http://www.glsen.org/readysetrespect
For strategies, posters, and safe-space stickers:
http://www.glsen.org/participate/programs/safe-space