Workshops / Chat Rooms D

Theme Key (Click here to see activities listed by theme)

WORKSHOPS (Saturday, 11:15 am)

Leadership & Activism for Change: Two Models of Student-led Critical Research (AR)

Brighton High School, School for Democracy and Leadership

Art as Empowerment (AS, CY)

The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP)

The Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) is committed to original work in the arts in Michigan correctional facilities, juvenile facilities, urban high schools, and communities across the state. PCAP facilitators will incorporate theater, writing, and multimedia to engage in dialogue about PCAP’s past and current work as well as potential application within classrooms and facilities nationwide.

COMMENTS

Teacher as Activist: Organizing Collectively for Justice

New York Collective of Radical Educators, Teachers for Social Justice

In this context of increasing standardization and de-professionalization of teaching, how can teachers stand up for justice in our schools? In this interactive workshop, educators and allies will brainstorm barriers that impede social justice education in their own settings. In groups, participants will brainstorm both individual and collective responses that we can engage in to change the conditions in which schooling happens. We will also discuss ways in which collective teacher activism can play a role in educational change on both a theoretical and practical level. This workshop marks the first collaboration between the New York Collective of Radical Educators (NYCoRE) and the Chicago Area Teachers for Social Justice (TSJ), two groups in the newly formed national TAG network (Teacher Activist Groups). NOTES      HANDOUTS      COMMENTS

This Ain't School: Engaging Youth in Critical Issues (CD)

The Brotherhood/Sister Sol

Where does a good workshop come from? The Brotherhood/Sister Sol's workshops emerge from current events, youth members’ interest and facilitators’ brainstorming. Workshops are centered on 10 Curriculum Focus Issues that are essential for young people to explore, including Pan African and Latino History & Culture, Sexism & Misogyny, Leadership Development and Mind, Body & Spirit. The BHSS's Framework for Analysis acts as a guide for creating and assessing curriculum on these issues. This workshop takes participants through both of these tools through a hands-on activity. PHOTOS      COMMENTS     HANDOUTS

(Re) Reading the Video Vixen: Using the "Tell-All" to Promote Media Literacy (LA)

Chica Luna Productions

The objective of this workshop is to demonstrate how to use various readings of the same book to teach basic principles of media literacy. We use the controversial "tell-all" Confessions of a Video Vixen by Karrine Steffans. Among other things, participants discover how the medium in which a story is delivered affects its reception and how audiences make their own meaning even when engaging someone else's story. COMMENTS

“Politics is Not a Spectator Sport”: Helping Youth Become Politically Active in the Classroom (SBO)

Mikva Challenge

Unfortunately, civics is often taught through textbooks, with little connection to social justice or issues youth care about, and with no hands-on component. However, students benefit from actually “doing” civics: working on political campaigns, taking action on issues, and talking to people in power. Organizing is not just for "social justice" schools. This workshop will highlight the key components that a classroom teacher can use to make civics come alive to help young people become leaders and activists NOW.

What can I do? The Safer Schools Movement and Where You Can Take Action (SBO, CC)

The Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

How is it that students and staff can become involved in creating a learning environment free of bullying and harassment? Students and administrators will learn the history of GLSEN and the safer schools movement with the chance to participate in an active model of a Gay Straight Alliance. We will discuss the tactical methods of creating a safer school environment including working towards the inclusion of Federal, State and local comprehensive policy.

Developing Political Activism in Schools (SBO)

North Lawndale College Prep High School (NLCP) is engaging all students in experiences that empower them to become positive agents of change. This workshops will walk participants through NCLP's process, which asks students to look at why, what, and how. Why should they care to make a difference? What issues do they feel passionately about? And how can they make a difference? Through this process students critically examine the world as well as their own values, stereotypes and concerns.

CHAT ROOMS

Old School/New School: Freedom Schools Then and Now

Sandra Adickes, 1964 Freedom School teacher; Kathy Emery, San Francisco Freedom School; Mia Henry, Chicago Freedom School Project; Moderator: Cassandra McKay

The 1964 Freedom Schools were born from the struggle for voting rights in the Deep South. Today across the country, educators are revisiting and revising that tradition to develop Freedom Schools that reflect new political realities. How are Freedom Schools today similar to or different from their 1964 counterparts? How has the political context changed? How have the needs of students changed? How did educators then and now balance the academic and political goals of liberatory education?

HANDOUTS