Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter?
Students develop knowledge, skills, and informed civic responsibility when they are invited into conversations that are emotionally engaging, intellectually challenging, and relevant to their own lives. Engaging in civil discourse means bringing your mind, heart, and conscience to reflective conversations on topics that matter, in ways that allow you to extend your understanding in dialogue with others. It does not mean prioritizing politeness or comfort over getting to the heart of the matter.
The ideas and tools in this updated version of Fostering Civil Discourse: How Do We Talk About Issues That Matter? are designed to help you prepare your students to engage in civil discourse, whether you are teaching in-person, remotely, or transitioning between the two.
- Civic Education
- Communication
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Empathy
- After School and Beyond
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Teen Engagement
- Camp
Discover more
How we talk about things matters from our partners at Facing History and Ourselves.
Click on any of the headings below to jump down to that category or on any of the organizations listed to go directly to their description and contact information. We also have a PDF version that you can download and print. Please note that the print/PDF version may not be quite as current and does
The Jewish Education Project advocates for complex Israel education that recognizes the diverse and sometimes competing narratives at play in Israel today.