°ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳

Teaching Download

How to Build a Classroom That Supports Difficult Conversations (Downloadable)

By Sarah D. Sparks — November 08, 2024 1 min read
Word bubbles of different sizes and abstract content arranged in a grid like pattern.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

It’s trickier than ever for teachers to manage class discussions of divisive topics—but it’s also crucial for students to learn and practice how to disagree respectfully, logically, and productively.

In the wake of a volatile election season and ongoing public debates on economic, environmental, and social problems, there’s no shortage of issues to engage students’ creativity and passion. In a recent nationally representative survey, educators told the EdWeek Research Center that they often feel at a loss to give students the tools and safety to grapple with these issues while also navigating state and local restrictions and parent concerns.

For more on how teachers can help their students learn to build bridges on polarizing topics, check out this year’s Big Ideas in Education special report and download the tip sheet below.

Related Tags:

Vanessa Solis, Associate Design Director contributed to this article.

Events

Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum Big AI Questions for Schools. How They Should Respond 
Join this free virtual event to unpack some of the big questions around the use of AI in K-12 education.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳'s editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in Schools
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳'s editorial staff.
Sponsor
Science Webinar
Spark Minds, Reignite Students & Teachers: STEM’s Role in Supporting Presence and Engagement
Is your district struggling with chronic absenteeism? Discover how STEM can reignite students' and teachers' passion for learning.
Content provided by 

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Teaching Opinion 5 Ways to Up Your Classroom Game, According to Larry Ferlazzo
Stop telling your students what to do and other ideas from a veteran teacher to his colleagues.
4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Teaching Opinion Music Teachers Are Instrumental. How They Can Bring Us Together Again
Composer Scott Joplin was a musical hero not because he was on stage but because his compositions allowed others to star and to socialize.
Sammy Miller
5 min read
Ragtime music collage background abstract design with piano keys, notes, and sheet music.
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Teaching Opinion What Helps Teachers Do Their Best Work, According to Educators
When teachers are happier and more fulfilled, their students are, too.
12 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳
Teaching Opinion 5 Small Classroom Changes for Big Rewards
Most educators know that building relationships is crucial to student learning. Small actions by teachers can help foster them.
10 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for °ÄÃÅÅܹ·ÂÛ̳