Educator Toolkit 

counterpublic highlights the stories about St. Louis’ history that have been ignored, erased and intentionally forgotten.

this toolkit is for all educators and youth who ask: How should our city’s past be told? How can our past hurt be healed? What do we want our city to become?

What the exhibition offers

 

For local educators and students, Counterpublic 2023 is an opportunity to grapple with what it means to live in St. Louis today. By bringing to life the complicated history of our city – from the legacy of Native removal to the displacement of Black neighborhoods – the exhibition calls educators to activate curriculum that is uniquely relevant, intellectually rigorous and civically engaged.

The exhibition is organized as a timeline, marking out opportunities to explore four key themes in your classroom and in the city: repair, commemoration, sovereignty and neighboring.

  • We encourage you to plan a field trip to one or more of the exhibition hubs between April 15 - July 15, 2023.

    For more information about planning your field trip (and applying for limited financial assistance for buses), complete this form.

    We have prepared field trip guidance for each of the three exhibition hubs. These materials offer a preview of what you will see, as well as conversation prompts and videos to supplement the experience.

    Field trip guides: The Luminary, CITYPARK, The Griot Museum of Black History

  • Integrate the exhibition’s themes and essential questions into your current curriculum:

    From perspectives in English to civil rights in history, there are natural connections between Counterpublic 2023 and curriculum in all grade levels and academic disciplines.

    We have prepared essential questions and supporting materials related to the four key exhibition themes, and tips for how to incorporate them into what you’re currently teaching.

    Themes and essential questions – educator guide


    Plan a new project-based unit about the past, present or future of St. Louis

    For educators who have 2 or more weeks to organize a hands-on project, we have prepared a project-based learning guide that is specific to St. Louis and the exhibition. It includes teacher-facing resources and a sample project template.

    Project-based learning guide for St. Louis

  • We know there are many ways to design learning experiences that bring these topics to life in the classroom. We invite you to share how the above strategies work for you, or hear other ways you’ve engaged your students in the exhibition.

    Please share videos, student work, or your own remix of our curriculum here so we can learn from you.

  • To support educators in building their understanding of St. Louis history, we have collected readings, videos, and podcasts that explore the exhibition’s key themes. They can be used by educators to build their own background knowledge, or for students to prime or extend their learning.

    Supplemental materials