DISCLAIMER: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. We only ever make recommendations of products and services that we use and genuinely love.
Teaching controversial issues can send even the most experienced teachers running for the hills. Every teacher has their own list of ‘do not touch with a ten-foot pole‘ topics. Your list may include things like, the war between Israel and Palestine, gender and sexuality, or the upcoming election. Every teacher’s list will look a little different depending on who you are and who your students are. Religion, the age of your students, their parents’ attitudes, geography, school culture, and political climate are all factors that may contribute to your hesitation to broach a particular topic.
But great social studies teachers know that controversial issues are important to broach with your students to help them develop a robust world view and learn to navigate difficult conversations. Maybe you even have a particular issue in mind that you are looking for support in teaching. Keep reading for strategies to make teaching controversial issues easier.
What are Controversial Issues?
Teaching controversial issues and teaching difficult historical events are different. Controversial issues are disagreements that divide a community, where groups within the community have conflicting values, and therefore conflicting solutions about the issue. This includes contemporary social and political issues, and occasionally historical events that are disputed. Teaching about difficult historical events is more of a practice in broaching violent, uncomfortable human behavior, but it is generally not contested about what happened and who was right or wrong.
- Build a kind community
- Communicate proactively
- Plan thoroughly
- Guide discussions
- Carefully select and frame issues
- Address differences in perspective
- Stick to the facts
1. Build a Kind Community
Part of effective social studies instruction is creating a classroom environment where students feel safe and supported. In polarizing times, it’s crucial that students feel like they can express their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment or backlash. Begin by establishing clear ground rules for discussions, such as listening respectfully, allowing everyone to speak, and avoiding personal attacks. Reinforce that it’s okay to have different opinions, but it’s important to discuss them respectfully. A supportive environment encourages students to engage more openly with the material and with each other, fostering a more productive learning experience for everyone.
Tip: Don’t dive into the world’s biggest controversies on Day 1. Use easier topics to establish clear ground rules for discussions, such as listening respectfully, allowing everyone to speak, and avoiding personal attacks.
2. Communicate Proactively
Proactive communication with both students and parents can help manage expectations and prepare everyone for potentially sensitive discussions. Inform parents about the topics you will be covering and provide resources or guidelines for discussing these topics at home. In the classroom, set clear objectives for each lesson and explain the purpose behind each discussion or activity. By communicating proactively, you help students and parents understand the relevance of the material and create a sense of transparency that can alleviate anxiety about controversial topics.
Tip: Inform parents about the topics you will be covering and provide resources or guidelines for discussing these topics at home. In the classroom, set clear objectives for each lesson and explain the purpose behind each discussion or activity.
3. Plan Thoroughly
Thorough preparation is key when teaching social studies during polarizing times. This means researching the topics you plan to cover, anticipating potential areas of contention, and preparing responses to common questions or concerns. Develop a lesson plan that includes balanced perspectives and uses age-appropriate language to ensure that complex issues are presented in a way that is accessible to young learners. Additionally, having backup activities or discussions can help keep the class focused and productive, even if a discussion becomes more heated than anticipated.
Tip: Anticipate potential areas of contention and prepare responses to common questions. Develop a lesson plan that includes balanced perspectives.
4. Guide Discussions
Effective discussion facilitation is crucial for handling sensitive topics. Start discussions with clear, open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking and allow for a range of responses. Use guiding questions to help students explore different viewpoints and draw connections between their ideas and the broader context of the lesson. It’s important to steer conversations in a way that keeps them constructive and focused on the learning objectives. When discussions become particularly heated or emotional, gently refocus the conversation on the facts and the educational goals of the lesson.
Tip: Start discussions with clear, open-ended questions that encourage critical thinking and allow for a range of responses. Be careful not to ask questions in a way that might sway students one way or the other.
5. Carefully Select and Frame Issues
When introducing complex or potentially divisive topics, it’s beneficial to start with simpler concepts and build up to more challenging ones. Begin with foundational knowledge that provides context and helps students understand the basics before diving into more nuanced or controversial issues. For example, you might start by discussing general concepts like democracy or community before addressing specific historical events or current issues that relate to these concepts. This incremental approach helps students develop a solid understanding and feel more confident when tackling more complex subjects.
Tip: Start with simpler concepts and build up to more challenging ones. Begin with foundational knowledge, so that students have the context they need to discuss more complex topics. For example, learn about democracy and its foundations before talking about the upcoming election.
6. Address Differences in Perspective
Never reveal your own beliefs about a topic*. Acknowledging and addressing differences in perspective is an essential part of teaching social studies. Encourage students to recognize that people may have different viewpoints based on their experiences, values, and backgrounds. Use activities that help students explore and appreciate diverse perspectives, such as role-playing exercises or group projects that require collaboration and discussion. By highlighting the value of different viewpoints, you help students develop empathy and a deeper understanding of the material.
Tip: Encourage students to think about how people may have different viewpoints based on their experiences, values, and backgrounds. In most circumstances, don’t share your own views. You are the neutral discussion moderator.
7. Stick to the Facts When Possible
While it’s important to address different perspectives, sticking to the facts helps maintain credibility and clarity. Provide accurate, well-researched information and use reliable sources to support your teaching. When teaching controversial issues, emphasize the importance of evidence and encourage students to seek out multiple sources to verify information. This approach helps students develop critical thinking skills and ensures that they are making informed judgments based on facts rather than opinions.
Tip: While it’s important to address different perspectives, sticking to facts is most important. Encourage students to be open-minded when new information conflicts with their opinions. Provide accurate, well-researched information and use reliable sources to support your teaching.
Teaching elementary social studies during polarizing times requires a thoughtful and deliberate approach. By cultivating a supportive environment, communicating proactively, preparing thoroughly, guiding discussions, moving from easier to harder topics, addressing differences in perspective, and sticking to the facts, educators can navigate these challenges effectively.
Social studies education is vital in helping students understand their world and their place in it. By implementing these tips when teaching controversial issues, you will equip students with the skills they need to become informed, respectful, and engaged citizens. In doing so, you contribute to their development not only as learners but as members of a diverse and interconnected global community.
For more information about teaching controversial topics, explore Dr. Judith Pace’s book Hard Questions: Learning to Teach Controversial Issues.