Perspective-taking, empathy, and respectful discussion are all important components of social-emotional learning that promote healthy relationships in any classroom.
In the coming weeks and months, modeling and instilling these SEL skills will be especially crucial as educators prepare to guide their students through the upcoming election season.
It's also paramount for school leaders, educators, and parents to focus on helping young people develop the tools necessary to critically consume information online and responsibly share content.
Our team has put together a list of informational resources, articles, and guides to support you in fostering a civil classroom environment, whether in-person or virtually. Our intention is to continue updating this list as we come across relevant content.
Download Toolkit: 9 Virtual Learning Resources to Build Belonging with Students and Families
Resources for District Leaders, School Leaders, and Educators:
- Books About Elections and Voting (via Common Sense Education)
- Classroom Activities to Engage Students in Learning About the News (via Morningside Center)
- Digital Citizenship & Social and Emotional Learning (via Common Sense Education)
- Digital and Civic Literacy Skills (via Teaching Tolerance)
- Free CharacterStrong Slides for the Election (Elementary | Secondary)
- Responding to the 2020 Presidential Election (via Facing History)
- SEL Guidance for Election 2020 (via CASEL)
- Social-Emotional Learning and Media Literacy Resources (via Fred Rogers Center)
- Social-Emotional Learning, Digital Citizenship, and Media Literacy (via CFC)
- Talking Civics in Remote Classes in 2020 (via Education Week)
- Using the Election as a Teaching Tool (via Edutopia)
- Voting and Elections Resources for a Civil Classroom (via Teaching Tolerance)
- Youth and Media (Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University)
Resources for Families and Caregivers:
- Books About Elections and Voting (via Common Sense Media)
- How to Guide Your Kid Through Election Season (via Common Sense Media)
- Young Voter's Guide to Social Media and News (via Common Sense Media)