Recently, a teacher in Paris named Samuel Paty was beheaded after giving a lesson on the importance of freedom of thought. With all going on in the news these days, I barely noticed it at first. Yet, as I wrote recently, a dangerous ideology that subverts free and intellectual discourse is growing and making inroads […]
Debate
Posted inOpinion
The Power of Language: Presidential Debate Edition
I try to teach my students that language has power. There are many unfortunate classroom moments when teenagers colloquially use words they shouldn’t. Often, after saying something derogatory, students will immediately look at me and explain. “Oh, I don’t mean it like that” or “It’s just a joke.” Most of the time, I do know […]
Posted innews
Was it a Debate or a Debacle: My Seventh Grade Students Could Have Done Better
Man oh man, if you did not watch the first Presidential debate, you’ve probably read the morning headlines or morning tweets regarding it by now. I believe the funniest tweet I’ve read suggested having Andy Cohen, of the Real Housewives shows, moderate instead. Whoever said that made a good point. Honestly, throw a middle school […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies
Teaching Your Way through Controversy: Responding to Kaepernick’s Stance
Even elementary students are talking about the Nike deciding to sponsor former Quarterback Colin Kaepernick. So, how do you respond as an educator and model of critical thinking? It’s no easy task when you are likely to hold a strong opinion of your own. Structured Academic Controversy (SAC) is an option when faced with the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Student Activists Lead the Way
How the Parkland students became those activists Will it be student activists who force political action regarding gun violence in America? Maybe that’s exactly what this country needs. Mere days after the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas School in Parkland Florida, Emma Gonzales, one of the student-survivors, was calling out politicians at a […]
Posted inInstructional Strategies
Why Teachers Should Add Debate to Their Curriculum
At the end of the school year this year, I looked at the list of causes of the Civil War. I’ve taught this once or twice, usually with just enough time to explain them. However, this year I finally got my curriculum in check and had time to ensure these topics were taught right. So […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum
Teaching Civil Discourse in Toxic Political Times
It is impossible to ignore the downward spiral of discourse and debate in American politics over the last year. Teachers pay special attention to public discourse because they know that what happens at the higher elevations of society always trickles down to their students. How adults in leadership speak to and about each other will […]
Posted inOpinion
Clearly, A Conversation About Gun Control in the United States Has to Happen
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] In the United States it’s easier to buy a gun than to own a home. With a home purchase you have to go through months of inquiry into your financial, job […]