Educator Resources for Responding to the Attack on the Capitol

Even after all of the painful turmoil of this past year, the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol Building left many of us reeling and at a loss for words, especially as we seek to explain to our children and students what happened, and its significance for ourselves and our nation. Below you will find a list of resources–compiled from teachers, administrators, and educational organizations–that we hope will guide you as you support your students’ and children’s processing of this difficult, historical moment. 

If you know of a resource that’s helped you and isn’t listed here, please send the link to us, and we will add it to this list.

All of these resources can be used with secondary school-aged students and older. An asterisk (*) marks those that are also appropriate for elementary school-aged students, and can be adapted for the youngest learners (early childhood).

List of Resources:

• Child Mind Institute: Helping Children Cope With Frightening News * 
• CNN: Rioters Breached US Capitol Security on Wednesday. This was the Police Response when it was Black Protestors on DC Streets Last Year *
• Common Sense Media:
  • How to Talk to Kids about Race, Racism, and Racial Violence* 
  • How to Talk about Difficult Subjects* 
• Dr. Alyssa Hadley Dunn, Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Michigan State University
  • Guest Blog Post: Beyond the Spotlight, “Resources for teachers on the days after the attack on the U.S. Capitol”*
  • Facebook Private Group: “Teaching on Days After: Dialogue & Resources for Educating Toward Justice”*
  • Related Presentation* 
• EdWeek:
  • How to Teach the U.S. Capitol Attack: Dozens of Resources to Get You Started* 
  • Caring for Kids in the Wake of a Traumatic Event* 
• Facing History and Ourselves: Resource on the Insurrection
• The Mikva Challenge: Sample Lesson Plan: Attack on the Capitol 
• The New York Times: What Are Your Reactions to the Storming of the Capitol by a Pro-Trump Mob? 
• National Geographic: How to Talk to Kids about the Chaos at the Capitol 
• NPR: 
  • How Police Handled Pro-Trump Mob Compared with Protesters For Black Racial Justice * 
  • What to Say to Kids When the News Is Scary *
• PBS Newshour: Classroom Support on the Insurrection of the Capitol
• Project Zero, Suggested Thinking Routines:
  • Circle of Viewpoints* (and in Spanish)
  • Compass Points*(and in Spanish)
• Psychology Today: Changing the Way We Talk to Teens about Events on the News 
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-SAMHSA: Tips for Talking With and Helping Children and Youth Cope After a Disaster or Traumatic Event: A Guide for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers* 
• Teaching Tolerance:
  • When Bad Things Are Happening *
  • Leading Conversations After Crisis *