Rethinking Schools is a nonprofit publisher and advocacy organization dedicated to sustaining and strengthening public education through social justice teaching and education activism. Our magazine, books, and other resources promote equity and racial justice in the classroom.
Interested in starting a study group?
Rethinking Schools offers free downloadable guides perfect for book reading groups, unions, teacher-led professional development, and activist groups.
All study groups gain access to a network of other teacher study groups across the United States.
Here’s how to get started:
- Organize a study group. We recommend 5-15 participants.
- Get copies of the book.
- Union members get a 25% discount at rethinkingschools.org with code UNIONSTUDY.
- Individuals participating in study groups can get a 25% discount at rethinkingschools.org with code RSSTUDY.
- For bulk orders of 16 or more books, email orders@rethinkingschools.org for special discounts.
- Download a discussion guide. It’s free! The discussion guide includes questions and activities designed to help plan for a variety of learning formats.
- Schedule your first meeting. Sessions between 40-90 minutes work well.
Suggestions for your study group
The ideas presented here are suggestions. We welcome other proposals with other ideas and formats.
School- or district-based book study
- Regular meetings to discuss chapters and create individual and/or collective action plans around each of the book’s chapters.
Curriculum work
- Convene a group of educators to work on designing a course, unit of study, or curricular framework that teaches about the topic of the book. Use the book as an analytic framework and some of its lessons as models for your own work.
Visioning and professional development
- Host a study group of school leaders to inform your school’s vision for the future and plans for professional development for your school and/or district.
Study Group Expectations
Please carefully read the following expectations:
- You are willing to be responsive and timely in providing our office any information we need to process books.
- You will hold regular meetings based on a collective reading of your study group book and/or a recent issue of Rethinking Schools magazine.
- You will provide Rethinking Schools at least one update on your study group’s work using a survey we will provide.
- If possible, you will share photos, videos, and other artifacts that reflect your group’s work.
Guides are available for these Rethinking Schools books:
Teaching Palestine: Lessons, Stories, Voices
Edited by Bill Bigelow, Jesse Hagopian, Suzanna Kassouf, Adam Sanchez, and Samia Shoman
Teaching Palestine provides educators with powerful tools to uncover the history and current context of Palestine-Israel in the classroom.
Thanks to generous donors, we can provide free books to a limited number of study groups. Apply below.
Transgender Justice in Schools
Edited by Linda Christensen and Ty Marshall
Transgender Justice in Schools provides inspirational stories from trans students and educators and resources to build communities where everyone flourishes.
Thanks to generous donors, we can provide free books to a limited number of study groups. Apply below.
Teacher Unions and Social Justice
Edited by Michael Charney, Jesse Hagopian, and Bob Peterson
A first-of-its-kind guide for teacher union activists seeking to democratize locals and forge alliances with school communities.
Teaching for Black Lives
Edited by Dyan Watson, Jesse Hagopian, Wayne Au
Teaching for Black Lives teaches young people honestly about systemic racism and how to organize for justice.
National Teaching for Black Lives Summer Study Group
This summer, the Zinn Education Project will host and facilitate a Teaching for Black Lives study group for educators across the United States. Using the Rethinking Schools book Teaching for Black Lives, for the first time, the Zinn Education Project will offer a virtual opportunity for pre-K–12 educators in any U.S. city to participate in this “transformative experience,” as many past participants reported, exploring how to teach about racism, resistance, and joy.
The New Teacher Book: Finding purpose, balance, and hope during your first years in the classroom
Edited by Linda Christensen, Stan Karp, Bob Peterson, and Moé Yonamine
This expanded third edition of The New Teacher Book grew out of Rethinking Schools workshops with early career teachers. It offers practical guidance on how to flourish in schools and classrooms and connect in meaningful ways with students and families from all cultures and backgrounds.