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Discussing Controversial Issues in the Classroom

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Subject Social Studies — Civics and Government, Current Events, US Government

Grade Level Grades 6-12, Professional Development

Resource Type Activity

Standards Alignment

Common Core State Standards

License

Attribution Non-commercial NoDerivative

CC (BY-NC-ND)

About This Lesson

Why discuss controversial issues in class?

Learn how to integrate controversial issues into the classroom, and prepare the surrounding community to become more comfortable with these discussions. Help students learn how to have a productive discussion on challenging issues, and understand different perspectives.

Enjoy this resource on teaching controversial issues?

Check out more free lesson plans and resources on Share My Lesson on the Close Up partner page.

There's a new school year coming up! Consider this resource for your back to school planning.

Unit

Communication Skills

Classroom Management

Lesson Plan for Middle School

Resources

Files

HS-CI-Update-Controversial-Issues.pdf

Activity

February 13, 2020

1.21 MB

External resources

Teaching Controversial Issues

Website

Standards

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.c

Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1.b

Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.a

Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1.b

Work with peers to set rules for collegial discussions and decision-making (e.g., informal consensus, taking votes on key issues, presentation of alternate views), clear goals and deadlines, and individual roles as needed.