The coronavirus pandemic is forcing educators to adapt to unprecedented shifts in how they interact with students, all while the United States continues to grapple with ongoing issues around race, policing, voting rights, and more. Students develop knowledge, skills, and informed civic responsibility when they are invited into conversations that are emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and relevant to their own lives. Engaging in civil discourse means bringing your mind, heart, and conscience to reflective conversations on topics that matter, in ways that allow you to extend your understanding in dialogue with others. It does not mean prioritizing politeness or comfort over getting to the heart of the matter.
This PDF resource was originally published in 2016 under the title Fostering Civil Discourse: A Guide for Classroom Conversations. Read our blog post to learn more about why we decided to update this guide in 2020.
The ideas and tools in this updated version of Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter? are designed to help you prepare your students to engage in civil discourse, whether you are teaching in-person, remotely, or transitioning between the two.
