Teaching Resources for Educators
The following information was provided by the San Diego County Office of Education.
Students want and need to talk about what they see, remember, and feel. To be able to navigate their own emotions and trauma in a healthy, safe, and productive way, students need guidance and a sense of safety from adults in their schools. Classrooms are powerful places to help children process current events, provided educators give renewed energy to creating safe spaces for students.
As with all difficult topics, educators should be keenly aware of the emotional impact these events have on students. Teachers should pay close attention to students who are Jewish or Muslim, those who may have family members in the region, and students who may be worried about how this crisis could impact them here in the United States. It’s important to be sensitive, not to single these students out to speak about or explain related topics. Before beginning a discussion, teachers are encouraged to consult resources for creating an environment that supports civil discourse.
- Facing History and Ourselves – Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter
- Judy Pace – Teaching Controversial Issues: A Framework for Reflective Practice
- Street Law – Classroom Deliberations
- Constitutional Rights Foundation – Conducting a Civil Conversation in the Classroom
- SDCOE resource guide – Facilitating Dialogue with Compassion
Some topics educators may consider adapting for students include:
- The impact of geopolitical issues in the United States and the extent of its obligation to respond.
- The role and authority of the president (as well as other institutions such as Congress, the media, etc.) in shaping foreign policy.
- The president’s policy options for responding to this type of crisis.
- The lasting impacts of significant historical conflict in the Middle East.
- The human costs of war and conflict.
Social and Emotional Learning Resources
Our students need the guidance and safety of adults in their home and in their schools to be able to navigate their own emotions and trauma in a healthy, safe, and productive way.
For All Ages
- How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War: Common Sense Media gathers tips and conversation starters to help you talk to kids of different ages about the toughest topics.
- Talking to Your Kids About War: VeryWell Family explores ways families can speak with young people about war, including tips on sharing information and restricting media coverage.
- How to Talk to Your Children About Conflict and War: UNICEF’s guide offers eight tips to support and comfort your children.
- Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises: Learning for Justice offers recommendations and resources to help guide conversations with young people and to manage potential subsequent actions and reactions.
For Elementary School Students
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of elementary school children: This article from the American Psychological Association can help adults guide their young children beyond fear and to resilience.
For Middle School Students
Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children: The American Psychological Association provides tips and strategies for parents and teachers of middle school-aged children.
For Military Families
The San Diego County Office of Education creates and curates resources to support military families and students and schools that serve military children.
School Culture Resources
These resources are neither meant to be exhaustive nor is their inclusion an endorsement of a particular political viewpoint.
Trauma-Informed Resources for School Systems
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides resources that can be filtered by topic, keyword, and audience with a focus on how adults can identify traumatic responses in young people and how to support them.
Addressing Antisemitism in Public Schools
This SDCOE guide for educators to address antisemitism contains resources from educational organizations, many of which are promoted and used by state departments of education and teachers across the country.
Countering Islamophobia in Public Schools
SDCOE’s resource guide on supporting Muslim students includes a section about countering Islamophobia in schools. Teach 9/11 with Compassion guide also contains resources that, while not specific to the war, may be helpful.