Professional Development
Please Note: To find out more information about the institutes listed or to register click on the corresponding tab on the left side of the page to access the details and/or links.
PROGRAMS
This institute will focus on our nation’s founding documents and events that have had the greatest influence on the development of our government. It is designed to address:
The Declaration of Independence
English and Early American Influences on the development of the U.S. Constitution
The Constitutional Convention
The Federalist and Anti-Federalist debates
The articles of the U.S. Constitution.
Join us and experience hands-on lessons that allow learners to engage with the content and gain a deeper understanding of our nation's history. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course.Course Credit: Teachers will receive 21 hours for this institute.
Summer 2023 In Person Offerings June 12-14, 2023 HEB ISD Pat May Center - Bedford, Texas Region 10 Register Here Region 11 Register Here Outside of these regions and want to attend? Contact Dodie Kasper to register June 28-30, 2023 Temple Texas Region 12 Register Here Region 13 Register Here Outside of these regions and want to attend? Contact Dodie Kasper to register Virtual Institute will allow participants to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities. July 24, 26, 28, 2023 Live Sessions from 10:00-11:30 a.m. on each of the three days Access the virtual registration tab on this page to register.
Join Law-Related Education for a deeper look at the amendments to the U.S. Constitution and the way they have been interpreted throughout history. Scholar led sessions will include historical and contemporary Supreme Court cases relevant to the amendments. Consultant led sessions allow educators to discover engaging strategies to help learners explore the content.
Summer 2023 In Person Offerings
June 20-21, 2023 Lubbock - Region 17 Hosting
Region 17 Register Here
Kids need to understand civics too! Join us as we explore hands-on activities and children’s literature that will help teachers lay a foundation for teaching responsible citizenship and celebrating America’s beliefs and principles. The institute will provide resources to address:
Characteristics of good citizens
Community Helpers
Symbols, customs, and celebrations that represent America’s identity
These concepts are explored through guided and shared reading/writing opportunities appropriate for kindergarten through 3rd grade students. To support the teaching of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) a variety of rich materials such as historical children’s books, primary sources, poems, songs, and biographies are part of this professional learning. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course. Summer 2023 In Person Offerings May 30, 2023 Ector County Hosting Register Here The Virtual Institute will allow participants to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities. June 5, 2023 Live Sessions from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Access the virtual registration tab on this page to register.
Civic Education at its finest!! Join us as we explore how to integrate language arts and social studies curriculum to build your students' knowledge of civics. This institute provides professional development for teachers incorporating these social studies concepts through content-area literacy best practices:
Civic Participation
Characteristics of good citizens
Texas Government
Declaration of Independence
Preamble of the U.S. Constitution
These concepts will be explored through reading/writing opportunities appropriate for 4th grade through 5th grade students. To support the teaching of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), a variety of rich materials such as children’s texts, primary sources, poems, songs, and biographies are part of the professional learning. Summer 2023 In Person Offerings May 30-31, 2023 Ector County Hosting Register Here The Virtual Institute will allow participants to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities. June 6-7, 2023 Live Sessions from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. on both days Access the virtual registration tab on this page to register.
Join Law-Related Education in the newly redesigned Teaching the Tough TEKS training for 8th grade social studies. This interactive institute provides opportunities for collaboration with college professors and other teachers. Deepen your understanding of TEKS that are challenging to 8th grade students including:
Constitutional Principles through History
Domestic and Foreign Policies of the Early Presidents
Growth and Change - Industrialization/Reform
Sectionalism and Civil War
The agenda is divided into blocks of time spent with scholars and breakout sessions with consultants. During the sessions with consultants, teachers will experience hands-on lessons that allow learners to engage with the content and gain a deeper understanding of our nation's history. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum.
Registration is free and lunch will be provided each day. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course.
Course Credit: Teachers will receive 12 hours for this institute.
This training is free of charge !! Summer 2023 In Person Offerings June 5-6, 2023 Mt. Pleasant - Region 8 Hosting Register Here June 26-27, 2023 Waxahachie ISD Hosting Region 10 Register Here Region 11 Register Here Outside of these regions and want to attend? Contact Dodie Kasper to register July 24-25, 2023 Edinburg - Region 1 Hosting Register Here Virtual Institute for Teaching the Tough TEKS 8th grade will allow participants to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities. June 8-9, 2023 Live Sessions from 9:00-Noon each day Access the virtual registration tab on this page to register.
Join Law-Related Education for the high school Teaching the Tough TEKS high school training. This interactive institute provides opportunities for collaboration with college professors and other teachers. Deepen your understanding of TEKS that are challenging to high school students including:
Gilded and Progressive Eras
New Deal
Cold War
Civil Rights
The agenda is divided into blocks of time spent with scholars and breakout sessions with consultants. During the sessions with consultants, teachers will experience hands-on lessons that allow learners to engage with the content and gain a deeper understanding of our nation's history. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum.
Registration is free and lunch will be provided each day. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course.
Course Credit: Teachers will receive 12 hours for this institute.
Summer 2023 In Person Offerings June 5-6, 2023 Mt. Pleasant - Region 8 Hosting Register Here June 26-27, 2023 Waxahachie ISD Hosting Region 10 Register Here Region 11 Register Here Outside of these regions and want to attend? Contact Dodie Kasper to register July 24-25, 2023 Edinburg - Region 1 Hosting Register Here Virtual Institute for Teaching the Tough TEKS will allow participants to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities. July 20-21, 2023 Live Sessions from 9:00-Noon each day Access the virtual registration tab on this page to register.
This 6 hour institute includes a session designed to address TEKS for teaching the Civil War and a session on resources and strategies to teach and review for the state assessment.
Working with consultants, participants will learn and receive valuable content, methods, and resources. Content presentations are reinforced with practical activities which will be made available to all participants.
Review resources include:
- Mix, Match, Freeze on Key STAAR Dates
- Review Dominoes for every era of history
- History in Pictures - Utilize visuals to review and tell the political, economic, and social history of our nation
- Hexagonal Thinking of each era
- Sneak Peek Packs
This 6 hour institute includes a session designed to address TEKS for teaching the 1970’s to the present and a session on resources and strategies to teach and review for the state assessment.
Working with consultants, participants will learn and receive valuable content, methods, and resources. Content presentations are reinforced with practical activities which will be made available to all participants.
Review Resources include:
- Mix, Match, Freeze on Key STAAR Dates
- Review Dominoes for every era of history
- History in Pictures - Utilize visuals to review and tell the political, economic, and social history of our nation
- Hexagonal Thinking of each era
- Review crossword puzzles
Learn, with scholars and consultants, how to stimulate student thinking using our new Texas History Event cards. Whether pre-teaching, reviewing, or differentiating a unit of study, these resources will improve your teaching.
This 12-hour institute includes both asynchronous learning and live sessions. It is designed to provide an opportunity for teachers to explore:
The eras of Texas history
The uniqueness of Texas government
Events that have shaped modern Texas.
The agenda is divided into blocks of time spent with scholars and breakout sessions with consultants. During the sessions with consultants, teachers will experience hands-on lessons that allow learners to engage with the content and gain a deeper understanding of our state's history. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum. Registration is free and lunch will be provided each day. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course.Course Credit: Teachers will receive 12 hours for this institute.
Summer 2023 In Person Offerings June 27-28, 2023 Wichita Falls - Region 9 Hosting Register Here
Join Law-Related Education scholars and consultants in this one-day update designed to explore
Different aspects of public policy
The impact of interest groups, political parties, and the media
U.S. Supreme Court cases
How to engage students with simulations and interactive activities.
This course is also aligned with the redesign of the AP Government curriculum. Join us and experience hands-on lessons that allow learners to engage with the content and gain a deeper understanding of our state’s history and government. Explore lessons and strategies that support student success and enrich existing curriculum. Participants receive access to all materials upon completion of the course. Dates of Sessions: TBD Course Credit: Teachers will receive 6 hours for this institute. This is based on the successful completion of all asynchronistic components of the course and attendance at the live facilitated sessions.This training is free of charge.
Recently proposed civic education legislation in Texas has focused on rote memorization of facts or civic engagement without a focus on civic knowledge. Knowing that knowledge of civic affairs increases involvement in public life, this interactive curriculum and professional development will provide educators with the tools to teach students the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to engage in their communities.
This NEW 12-hour institute includes both asynchronous learning and live sessions. It is designed to:
- Provide students with civic knowledge of the institutions and characteristics of government along with opportunities to evaluate information sources.
- Provide knowledge of political institutions.
- Utilize historical and current examples and ask students to explore political involvement, community involvement, and opportunities for civic interaction.
- Increase student awareness of opportunities to become a more active citizen in their school, community, state, and nation.
- Provide opportunities for students to explore and report on examples of civic engagement.
Course Credit: Teachers will receive 12 hours for this institute. This is based on the successful completion of all asynchronistic components of the course and attendance at the live facilitated sessions.
This training is free of charge.
Teaching Social Studies IS teaching READING!! You do have time for Social Studies.
Being able to read and comprehend informational text prepares learners for success. Explore our 5th grade US History, TEKS aligned, reading resources that allow students to engage with the content in the Government and History standards.
- Elementary US History Event Cards
- Elementary US History Biography Cards
- Children’s Books for US History
Teaching Social Studies IS teaching READING !! You do have time for Social Studies.
Join Law-Related Education as we explore how to use social studies content to sequence events and examine the cultural and historical significance of events. Educators will experience ready made resources and lessons designed to allow students to engage with content as they explore History and Government from a Texas perspective. Included in these resources are:
- Elementary Texas Event Cards
- Elementary Texas Biography Cards
- Children’s Books for Texas History
Do you need help with your district professional development staff days?
Let Law-Related Education help you customize learning for your elementary and secondary audiences. From one hour to six hour sessions, these low to no cost options can help you meet the content and pedagogy needs of your teachers.
School districts, regional service centers, local bar associations, and other entities can request programs throughout the year. Please contact Jan Miller at jmiller@texasbar.com to inquire about setting up a session.
The following topics are currently available. Let us help you mix and match.
Process Topics:
- Using event cards
- Navigating the website
- Using literature to teach Social Studies
- Simulations for the elementary classroom
Content Topics:
- Characteristics of Good Citizens
- Community Helpers
- Symbols, Customs, and Celebrations
- Systems of Government
- Country Cards
- LRE Website Exploration
- Mock Trials
- Civic Engagement/Civics Works
- Understanding Eras of Texas History
- Comparing Texas Constitutions
- Unique Branches of Texas Government
- Civil Rights and Modern Era in Texas
- Institutions of Government
- Principles of the Constitution (both U.S. and Texas)
- U.S. Constitution
- Bill of Rights
- Public Policy
- Interest Groups/Political Parties
- Presidential Nomination Process
- Judicial Nomination Process
- Incorporation and the Bill of Rights
- Founding Documents
- Constitutional Convention
- Origin and Evolution of Political Parties
- Early Republic - Domestic Policies
- Early Republic - Foreign Policies
- Civil War
- Reconstruction
- Gilded and Progressive Eras
- New Deal and Changing Role of Government
- Conflicts in U.S. History
- Civil Rights
- Modern America
- Review Strategies for STAAR and/or EOC
VIRTUAL REGISTRATION
Virtual Course Information:
LRE will be utilizing Canvas, a learning management system, for all virtual courses.Participants will have the opportunity to work at their own pace on portions of the institute, learn from consultants in live Zoom sessions, and demonstrate their learning through a variety of activities.
Funding Note: While this course is provided free of charge to participants, once an educator logs on to the course, Law-Related Education is charged for a license. Please help us be good stewards of our grant funds by only signing up if you are intending to complete the course.
For additional details about our virtual learning format, click here
Summer Registration opens April 1, 2023.
Register Here for Virtual Courses
Note: Once you register, you will receive an email to complete your registration and set up your Canvas account. If you are having trouble, please see this click sheet for more information.
Already registered? Access your course here.
Note: You will use the login information you used when you registered to access this course.
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