18. Healthy Debates, Civically Engaged Students

In this episode of ENGAGE: Teaching the Social Studies, Justin delves into the art of fostering healthy debates and discussions in the classroom.  Amid a polarized world dominated by divisive rhetoric and online insults, educators have the power to create spaces for thoughtful, respectful dialogue.  Justin shares practical strategies for building classroom culture that values listening, empathy, and nuanced thinking.  From icebreaker discussions about “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” to Socratic seminars on weighty political topics like the Electoral College or human rights, this episode is packed with tools and activities to prepare students for civic engagement and critical thinking in the real world.  Tune in for tips, tricks, and inspiration to transform classroom conversations!

Electoral College Discussion