Mikva Challenge Action Civics Summer Institute: Full Schedule

1:00pm

Pre-Institute Action Civics in Action Observation FULL

This pre-institute opportunity will allow participants to observe Mikva students in action during their Think Tank Summer where they are learning how to work collaboratively to research and analyze a policy issue so they can make recommendations to a decision maker by the end of the summer. Participants will be led by Mikva's Chief Program Officer through an overview of the Mikva Youth Council process then visit a council in action. Participants will then meet to debrief the experience. A Q&A will follow.

Wednesday July 17, 2019 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Mikva Challenge Office 200 S Michigan, suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60604

Enhancement

8:00am

Breakfast and Sign in

Thursday July 18, 2019 8:00am - 8:30am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

8:30am

Welcome

Thursday July 18, 2019 8:30am - 9:00am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

9:00am

Courageous Leadership: District Innovations Driving Change in Civic Education

This panel discussion with three top district leaders will explore what it means to make civics a priority at the district level, how to build support for it and how to align with other initiatives within the district:

Jen Cheatham, Supt. of Madison Metropolitan Public Schools
Janice Jackson, CEO of Chicago Public Schools
Mike Matsuda, Supt. of Anaheim Union High Schools

Speakers

Dr. Janice Jackson

CEO, Chicago Public Schools

Dr. Janice K. Jackson has been immersed in Chicago Public Schools her entire life. She was a CPS student from Head Start through 12th grade, then began her teaching career at Chicago’s South Shore High School. Since that time, Dr. Jackson has served as a principal, a Network Chief... Read More →

Mike Matsuda

Superintendent, Anaheim Union High School District

Michael Matsuda is a nationally recognized 21st century educational leader known for innovation, entrepreneurship, and building creative collaborations with private, public, and non-profit sectors, which have extended and transformed educational opportunities for students. In just... Read More →

Thursday July 18, 2019 9:00am - 10:00am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

10:00am

Introduction to Differentiated Pathways

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:00am - 10:15am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

10:30am

Administrative Pathway: Successes and Challenges

Administrators are invited to join a facilitated discussion with other administrators from across the country all whom are in various stages of implementing Action Civics in their schools and districts. Participants will share their greatest successes to date as well as continuing challenges.

The Administrative Pathway is recommended for school and district leaders interested in developing a comprehensive plan to integrate Action Civics practices and programs across schools and across disciplines.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 103 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Administrative

10:30am

Immersive Pathway: Issues to Action Revisions Highlighting Equity (B)

Teachers already familiar with Mikva's Issues to Action curriculum will explore new additions to the 2019 revised version of Issues to Action. This session will focus on highlighting new lessons addressing equity.

The Immersive Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators with some experience implementing Mikva Challenge curriculum beyond Project Soapbox who are interested in expanding the scope of their action civics instruction as well as refining their practice.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 111 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Immersive

10:30am

Immersive Pathway: Issues to Action Revisions Highlighting Equity SESSION FULL

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 202 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Immersive

10:30am

Introductory Pathway: Issues to Action Steps 1 and 2 (A) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION B OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

Participants will examine Step 1 (Examining Identity and Community) and Step 2 (Choosing an Issue) of Mikva's Issues to Action community activism curriculum.

Participants can attend the companion session in the afternoon that examines Steps 3-6 of Issues to Action.

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 116 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

10:30am

Introductory Pathway: Issues to Action Steps 1 and 2 (B) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION C OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

Participants will examine Step 1 (Examining Identity and Community) and Step 2 (Choosing an Issue) of Mikva's Issues to Action community activism curriculum.

Participants can attend the companion session in the afternoon that examines Steps 3-6 of Issues to Action.

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 003 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

10:30am

Introductory Pathway: Issues to Action Steps 1 and 2 (C) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION D OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

Participants will examine Step 1 (Examining Identity and Community) and Step 2 (Choosing an Issue) of Mikva's Issues to Action community activism curriculum.

Participants can attend the companion session in the afternoon that examines Steps 3-6 of Issues to Action.

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 104 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

10:30am

Introductory Pathway: Issues to Action Steps 1 and 2 (D)

Participants will examine Step 1 (Examining Identity and Community) and Step 2 (Choosing an Issue) of Mikva's Issues to Action community activism curriculum.

Participants can attend the companion session in the afternoon that examines Steps 3-6 of Issues to Action.

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 10:30am - 12:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 117 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

12:30pm

Lunch

Participants can engage in informal conversations over lunch with Mikva alum.

Thursday July 18, 2019 12:30pm - 1:15pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

1:30pm

Administrative Pathway: Building Support for Youth Civic Engagement

Participants will explore ways to engage various stakeholders inside and outside of the district to support a broad civic engagement strategy.

The Administrative Pathway is recommended for school and district leaders interested in developing a comprehensive plan to integrate Action Civics practices and programs across schools and across disciplines.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 103 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Administrative

1:30pm

Immersive Pathway: Elections in Action

Participants with experience teaching Issues to Action are encouraged to learn more about one of Mikva's other Action Civics curricula during this workshop period. This workshop will focus on Mikva's Elections in Action curriculum. Participants will examine strategies to engage students in campaigns and elections by having them explore their own ideologies, learn about the candidates, explore media messages during election season, examine the role of money in elections, and get involved personally in electoral politics through a variety of actions that build confidence in every young person’s belief in their power to affect change.

The Immersive Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators with some experience implementing Mikva Challenge curriculum beyond Project Soapbox who are interested in expanding the scope of their action civics instruction as well as refining their practice.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 107 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Immersive

1:30pm

Immersive Pathway: News. Voice. Power.

Participants with experience teaching Issues to Action are encouraged to learn more about one of Mikva's other Action Civics curricula during this workshop period. This workshop will focus on Mikva's News. Voice. Power. news literacy curricula. Participants will learn strategies to engage students in critical news analysis and in the development of skills to be critical news consumers. Participants will also learn how to support students in taking action on an issue (or issues) they care about using the skills and mediums analyzed throughout the unit. Student created media projects will be explored and how these actions can transform students knowledge and attitudes towards the political process.

The Immersive Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators with some experience implementing Mikva Challenge curriculum beyond Project Soapbox who are interested in expanding the scope of their action civics instruction as well as refining their practice.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 117 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Immersive

1:30pm

Immersive Pathway: Student Voice Committees

Participants with experience teaching Issues to Action are encouraged to learn more about one of Mikva's other Action Civics curricula during this workshop period. This workshop will focus on Mikva's Student Voice Committees. Participants will explore framework and curriculum for establishing a Student Voice Committee at their school/within their district.

The Immersive Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators with some experience implementing Mikva Challenge curriculum beyond Project Soapbox who are interested in expanding the scope of their action civics instruction as well as refining their practice.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 111 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Immersive

1:30pm

Introductory Pathway: Issues To Action steps 3-6 (A) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION B OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

This session is the second part of the morning Introductory session acquainting participants with Mikva's 6 step Issues to Action process. During this session participants will explore Step 3 (Conducting Action Research), Step 4 (Analyzing Power), Step 5 (Developing Strategies) and Step 6 (Taking Action).

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 116 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

1:30pm

Introductory Pathway: Issues To Action steps 3-6 (B) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION C OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

This session is the second part of the morning Introductory session acquainting participants with Mikva's 6 step Issues to Action process. During this session participants will explore Step 3 (Conducting Action Research), Step 4 (Analyzing Power), Step 5 (Developing Strategies) and Step 6 (Taking Action).

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 003 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

1:30pm

Introductory Pathway: Issues To Action steps 3-6 (C) SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION D OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

This session is the second part of the morning Introductory session acquainting participants with Mikva's 6 step Issues to Action process. During this session participants will explore Step 3 (Conducting Action Research), Step 4 (Analyzing Power), Step 5 (Developing Strategies) and Step 6 (Taking Action).

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 104 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

1:30pm

Introductory Pathway: Issues To Action steps 3-6 (D)

This session is the second part of the morning Introductory session acquainting participants with Mikva's 6 step Issues to Action process. During this session participants will explore Step 3 (Conducting Action Research), Step 4 (Analyzing Power), Step 5 (Developing Strategies) and Step 6 (Taking Action).

The Introductory Pathway is recommended for educators and administrators new to Action Civics, or teachers who may have only participated in Project Soapbox.

Thursday July 18, 2019 1:30pm - 3:15pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 202 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Introductory

3:30pm

Panel Discussion: Democracy Education for a Just and Equitable Society

This panel discussion will focus on the systemic barriers to participation and power, and on how democracy education and teachers of all levels of experience can help break down these barriers and inspire youth to be change agents in developing a more equitable and just world.

Speakers

Dr. Ben Kirshner

Faculty Director, Professor, CU Engage, CU Boulder

Ben Kirshner is a Professor of Learning Sciences and Human Development at the University of Colorado Boulder and Faculty Director of CU Engage: Center for Community-Based Learning and Research. Dr. Kirshner works collaboratively with educators and students to design and study learning... Read More →

Dr. Na’ilah Nasir

President, Spencer Foundation

Na’ilah Suad Nasir is the sixth President of the Spencer Foundation, which supports research about education. She holds a faculty appointment at the University of California, Berkeley (currently on leave) where she has been since 2008. From 2015-2017 she served as vice-chancellor... Read More →

Joe Rogers

Director of Public Engagement and Government Affairs Center for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University

Joe Rogers is the director of public engagement and government affairs at the Center for Educational Equity (CEE) at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he develops strategic relationships for policy reform, co-facilitates the statewide DemocracyReady NY Coalition, supports... Read More →

Thursday July 18, 2019 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

4:45pm

Happy Hour

Continue to socialize and network with colleagues from across the country at Ireland's Pub, just downstairs. Light snacks will be provided and the first round is on Mikva!

Thursday July 18, 2019 4:45pm - 6:30pm
Ireland's Pub Lower Level, 6511 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60626

Enhancement

8:00am

Breakfast

Friday July 19, 2019 8:00am - 8:30am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

8:30am

Plenary - Politics is not a Dirty Word: Non-Partisanship and the 2020 Election

The 2020 election is just around the corner and with candidates lining up by the busload, it's certainly going to be interesting. And important. Paula McAvoy will examine the concept of non-partisanship in the classroom and how to engage students in deep political discussion in a safe and effective way. She will draw from her acclaimed book with Diana Hess, The Political Classroom, to engage participants in thought scenarios and share research findings from their work. Jill Bass will explore ways you can use this historical moment to engage your students in understanding about elections by engaging in a range of authentic democratic experiences.

Speakers

Jill Bass

Chief Education Officer, Mikva Challenge

Paula McAvoy

Assistant Professor, College of Education, NC State University

Paula McAvoy is an assistant professor of social studies education at North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on empirical and philosophical questions related to the aims and practices of democratic education. She is the co-author with Diana Hess of The Political Classroom... Read More →

Friday July 19, 2019 8:30am - 10:00am
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

10:15am

Administrative Pathway: Crosswalking Civics With Other Goals/Initiatives

This session will explore ways to build on existing initiatives and how to avoid new initiative overload in schools.

The Administrative Pathway is recommended for school and district leaders interested in developing a comprehensive plan to integrate Action Civics practices and programs across schools and across disciplines.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 103 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

Administrative

10:15am

All Pathways: Beyond the Soup Kitchen: How to Implement a High Quality Action Project (B)

One of the hardest parts of the Action Civics process is engaging students in meaningful action projects. This workshop will help teachers connect learning objectives for their students to project outcomes and explore the continuum of actions with a focus on process rather than product. Participants will explore the difference between service learning and civic action and utilize frameworks to create sustainable change.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 003 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

10:15am

All Pathways: Beyond the Soup Kitchen: How to Implement a High Quality Action Project SESSION FULL

THIS SESSION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT VERSION B OF THIS SESSION BELOW (SAME SESSION, DIFFERENT ROOM!)

One of the hardest parts of the Action Civics process is engaging students in meaningful action projects. This workshop will help teachers connect learning objectives for their students to project outcomes and explore the continuum of actions with a focus on process rather than product. Participants will explore the difference between service learning and civic action and utilize frameworks to create sustainable change.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 116 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

10:15am

All Pathways: Creating Democratic Classrooms

Action Civics needs the right context to be effective. Classrooms should be inclusive, participatory, engaging and be driven by student voice to the fullest extent possible. This session will introduce activities and strategies to build and sustain this classroom culture.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 202 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

10:15am

All Pathways: Facilitating Tough Conversations

Many teachers shy away from teaching civics because of the controversial nature of certain topics and the challenge of navigating those conversations in class. But if school is not a place to share divergent viewpoints, where will students learn the skill of engaging in civic discourse? This session will offer strategies for teachers as they embark on civic dialogue as well as address the trauma that students bring to our classrooms that sometimes surfaces in Soapbox speeches and discussion and how to effectively address it and support students.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 104 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

10:15am

All Pathways: Innovating with Project Soapbox

In this workshop teacher presenters will share ways in which they adapted and innovated the Project Soapbox structure to meet their local context. Participants will have the opportunity to consider adaptations for their own classrooms.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 117 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

10:15am

All Pathways: Using Comics to Teach Democracy

Visuals have the power to express complex information in a clear and easy to understand format. Cartoonist James Sturm will share his comic This is What Democracy Looks Like with participants and engage in a collaborative process to develop ways to integrate the comic into a civics class. Participants will receive copies of the comic.

Friday July 19, 2019 10:15am - 12:00pm
Cuneo Hall, Room 111 6430 N Kenmore Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, USA

All Pathways

12:15pm

Lunch

Friday July 19, 2019 12:15pm - 1:00pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

1:00pm

'63 Boycott Screening and Panel

We will screen the award winning short documentary film '63 Boycott followed by a panel discussion with the film makers and activists featured in the film.

Friday July 19, 2019 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Enhancement

2:00pm

Design Sprint Planning Process

Work with others from your school and/or district to design a plan for bringing new ideas back to your classrooms and schools and implementing them.

Friday July 19, 2019 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary

3:00pm

Wrap Up

Friday July 19, 2019 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Damen Student Center -- Sister Jean Ballroom 6511 N. Sheridan Rd.

Plenary