A field-tested, classroom-based approach for developing the critical thinking, social-emotional, problem-solving, and discussion skills students need to be good citizens and effective changemakers. We often hear that a key purpose of schooling is to prepare students for informed and active citizenship. But what does this look like in practice? How do teachers pursue this goal amid other pressing priorities, including student mastery of both academic content and social-emotional competencies? Students Taking Action Together , based on a program of the same name developed at Rutgers University, clarifies that the way to prepare young people for life in a democracy is by intentionally rehearsing democratic behaviors in the classroom. This field-tested program ("STAT" for short) is built on five research-backed teaching strategies that work with existing social studies, English language arts, and history curriculum in the upper-elementary, middle, and high school levels. Incorporating these strategies into your lessons is a way to meet students' natural desire to be heard with skill-building that empowers them to * Adhere to norms of civil conversation, even when topics are controversial and emotions are high; * Speak confidently and listen actively; * Engage in respectful debate aimed at understanding issues rather than winning points; * Target communication to different audiences, needs, and contexts; and * Examine problems from many sides, considering potential solutions, drawing up action plans, and evaluating these plans' effectiveness against historical examples. In addition to vignettes that show the five STAT strategies in action, you'll find practical teaching tips and sample STAT lesson plans. For school leaders, there is a road map for schoolwide STAT implementation and guidance on communicating the program's value to stakeholders. Are you ready to help students understand complex content, confront pressing social issues, and engage with the structures of power to advocate for change? This book is for you. This book has come right on time. In fact, it is not an exaggeration to say that it may be of critical importance to the future of American democracy. For years, it has been painfully obvious that we need a new approach to civics education. In too many schools, social studies courses have done little more than ask students to memorize facts and dates, failing to make history and civics feel relevant to students. The authors of this book describe concrete strategies for bringing these topics to life, and in so doing, make it possible to better prepare students to participate as citizens in the political process. For those who understand and appreciate how critical civics education is to the future of American society, this book will be a timely resource. —Pedro A. Noguera, Dean, Rossier School of Education and Distinguished Professor of Education, University of Southern California In the midst of a global pandemic and civil unrest, this book answers an urgent need by providing educators with practical, instructional strategies to help students converse and connect across difference and engage civically in their communities—all while leveraging the power of social and emotional learning for the promise of a healthy democracy. —Dena Simmons, EdD, Founder of LiberatED Students Taking Action Together provides both the imperative for embedding social and emotional learning competencies within academic instruction and the practical strategies for doing so across ages and subject areas. The STAT model allows educators and students to co-craft powerful learning environments as well as authentic action plans for our most pressing societal issues. —Karen VanAusdal, Senior Director of Practice, CASEL Each generation calls upon its educators to renew our covenant with the future by providing them with the tools needed to forge community and advance our society toward a more perfect union. Students Taking Action Together sits squarely in this tradition. Using classroom-friendly techniques that combine academic discourse, service learning, and social-emotional and character development, the book reminds us that the most important facet of our democracy is "we the people" who create it, refine it, and preserve it every day for posterity. A must-read for educators everywhere. —David Adams, Chief Executive Officer, The Urban Assembly Students Taking Action Together does what few books for educational practitioners committed to social-emotional well-being do: provides concrete and viable lesson activities that can be implemented right now. I can see schools opening the new year with a copy for every teacher, counselor, and child study team that serves a child. —Scott Taylor, Superintendent of K–12 Township of Union Public Schools and Adjunct Professor at Rutgers and Montclair Universities I can't wait to share Students Taking Action Together with educators who are looking for creative tools and approaches to