Close Up Professional Development Trainings & Resources

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Why Close Up?

Drawing on our nearly 50 years of experience in issue-centered education and nonpartisan instruction, Close Up now offers professional development trainings and classroom resources. We provide teachers and school districts with tools and strategies to engage students in meaningful discourse about current controversial issues.

A comprehensive approach to creating meaningful discussions in your classroom.

Onsite professional development sessions are available for middle school and high school educators across the country. We provide half-day, full-day, and multi-session formats and sample session topics include:

Framing Issues for Debate and Deliberation: Why is it critical to address controversial topics with students through issue-centered education and what different formats can teachers use to foster informed and constructive in-class debate?
Integrating Controversial Issues Into Your Curriculum: How can teachers and administrators use the Close Up in Class library to build a comprehensive curricular sequence in their school or district?
Media Literacy and Citizenship: How can teachers help students to gather, assess, and use information to engage in meaningful discussions about current issues and events?
Community Engaged Classrooms: How can we help students move from inquiry to action in their community?

Click here for a full summary of our professional development offerings.

Male school teacher helps male students solve problem

Empowering teachers nationwide to facilitate positive and productive conversations with students.

Teachers gain concrete tools to facilitate civil classroom discussions on current controversial issues and effective strategies for promoting inclusion and collaboration. We also provide techniques to employ when civil discourse breaks down and classroom-ready resources to inform and guide student thinking. All sessions can be adapted based on school curricula, objectives, and grade levels.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

To learn more or schedule professional development for your school or district, please complete this form. If you would like to speak directly with a Professional Development specialist, email classroom@closeup.org.

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Professional Development

Why Close Up?

A comprehensive approach to creating meaningful discussions in your classroom.

Empowering teachers nationwide to facilitate positive and productive conversations with students.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

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