The MMA provides the resources below for use in an educational setting. You will find a comprehensive lesson on Massachusetts Town Meeting, which is a cornerstone of local governance in our state. Town meetings offer a unique platform for residents to come together, discuss, and make decisions on important community issues.

The below documents and video aim to provide educators with a clear understanding of the town meeting process so that you, in turn, can effectively teach students the importance of this type of governance and their role in this democratic process. The resources, including documents and videos, show the role town meeting plays in promoting civic engagement among citizens, as well as the impact of town meeting on local policies and how it empowers community members (yes, students!) to have a voice in their government. Please see additional videos here.

In addition, below are the tools necessary to conduct your own mock town meeting with students playing all roles, providing them with a hands-on experience which allows the students to solidify, through participation, the lessons taught.

We hope these resources will enrich your knowledge and enable you to effectively engage your students in discussions about civic participation, local government, and the democratic process.