August 17-21, 2020
Empower your fifth graders to change the world!
Connecticut’s Kid Governor® (CTKG) is an award-winning civics program for fifth graders created by The Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House. This free virtual workshop will provide an overview of the program, highlight successful strategies for running the program in the classroom with resources for virtual and hybrid classrooms, and feature current CTKG educators who are using the program as a springboard for innovation. Whether you are new to CTKG or have been with us from the start, this is a week of workshops that you do not want to miss!
The workshop series is open to fifth grade educators and support staff, curriculum specialists, and administrators.
Registration: Educators could register for as many sessions of this five-part workshop series as they’d like (see descriptions below).
Bonus: Ten attendees from each workshop will receive a printed, full-color copy of the Toolkit for Nominating & Voting Classes and a Kid Governor branded flash drive with program resources! Limit one copy per Educator Workshop Series attendee. Attendees will also receive a digital certificate for professional development hours.
This workshop series is presented by The Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House in partnership with the State Department of Education and the Connecticut Council for the Social Studies.
Kristin Bernier · Kristin Long · Elaine Temel · Lisa Thomas · Aimee Heaton · Sandy Chavez
Joel Senez · Sarah Harris · Christina O’Neill · Kristy Uveges · Micaela Scelza
About the Virtual Workshop Series
Session #1: An Overview and Introduction to Connecticut’s Kid Governor®
Monday, August 17 at 4pm
A history of the CTKG program, an overview of how the program and Toolkits work, ties to Social Studies Frameworks and Common Core State Standards, program timeline, and a tour of the CTKG website and digital resources. Classroom educators will share why they participate in the CTKG program.
Special Guest Educators: Kristin Bernier of Thomaston Center School in Thomaston & Kristen Long of Casimir Pulaski Elementary School in Meriden.
Watch this session HERE.
Session #2: Running Connecticut’s Kid Governor® in a Blended/Virtual Classroom
Tuesday, August 18 at 4pm
Ideas and resources for running the CTKG program in a virtual or hybrid classroom with input from experienced CTKG classroom educators.
Special Guest Educators: Elaine Temel of West Vine Street School in Stonington & Lisa Thomas of Clover Street School in Windsor.
Watch this session HERE.
Session #3: Tips for a Successful Campaign Video
Wednesday, August 19 at 4pm
Rules, guidelines, and tips for recording a successful CTKG campaign video and suggestions for how students can collaborate on their videos through campaign teams. Attendees will watch and discuss past campaign videos and hear tips from experienced classroom educators.
Special Guest Educators: Sandy Chavez of Oshana Elementary School in Southington & Aimee Heaton of Norfeldt Elementary School in West Hartford.
Watch this session HERE
Session #4: Beyond the Election: Year-Round CTKG and Civics Opportunities
Thursday, August 20 at 4pm
Techniques for continuing the CTKG program and civics momentum in the classroom year-round. Attendees will learn about the CTKG live announcement, Inauguration Day, the CTKG’s Cabinet, following the CTKG and Cabinet, Traveling Exhibit, Library Circuit, field trips to Connecticut’s Old State House, and more! Experienced CTKG classroom educators will also share creative ways they have brought CTKG and civics to their students beyond the Statewide Election.
Special Guest Educators: Christina O’Neill of Long Meadow Elementary School in Middlebury, Joel Senez of Enfield Public Schools & Sarah Harris of Wethersfield Public Schools.
Watch this session HERE.
Session #5: Learning from Colleagues: Experienced CTKG Educators Share Their Successes and Challenges and Answer YOUR Questions
Friday, August 21 at 4pm
Enthusiastic and experienced CTKG classroom educators will share how they run the program, the successes they’ve had, and the challenges they’ve faced and how they overcame them.
Special Guest Educators: Kristy Uveges of Canton Intermediate School in Canton, Micaela Scelza of Woodside Intermediate School in Cromwell & Kristen Long of Casimir Pulaski Elementary School in Meriden.
Watch this session HERE.