Tools for Discussing Current and Contested Public Issues
April 17, 2024
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In the cacophony of modern discourse, where social posts and sound bites often drown out thoughtful reflection, the art of engaging in thoughtful, deliberative discussions presents an opportunity for change.
Discussing contested public issues is not merely an academic exercise; it is an essential ingredient in democracy. It fuels the engine of an informed public, propelling society toward progress and understanding.
Yet, in America’s polarized landscape, the need for community members from different ideologies and backgrounds to have productive conversations across differences has never been more urgent.
Our nation’s teachers play an essential role in helping young people develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to engage in discussion of current and contested public issues.
Unfortunately, bringing these important conversations into the classroom is filled with challenges that understandably deter some educators. The fear of controversy, of stepping on ideological landmines, can paralyze even the most dedicated teacher.
Street Law recognizes this struggle and provides a lifeline—a toolbox of proven curricular materials designed to structure and ignite meaningful conversations.
Deliberations
These highly structured discussions are informed by a common reading that presents multiple perspectives and encourages students to collaborate with peers, weigh evidence, present arguments with facts, and seek common ground.
Street Law offers dozens of deliberations that cover current and contested public issues such as gun control, hate speech, renewable energy, and more. While most of them are aimed at high school students, Street Law also offers some middle and elementary school variations.
Street Law recommends…
- Should voting be compulsory in the United States?
- Should our state or community raise the minimum wage?
- Should hate speech be banned in our democracy?
(View all Deliberations)
Other Deliberation Resources:
Simulations of Democratic Processes
Role-playing activities, such as moot courts and legislative hearings are immersive experiences that allow students to understand a scenario from different perspectives while applying civic knowledge, practicing critical thinking skills, and gaining a practical understanding of how government works.
Street Law recommends…
- Classroom Guide to Moot Courts: A moot court is a role-play of an appeals court or Supreme Court hearing. This 10-lesson-plan guide supports teachers in implementing moot courts in their classrooms.
- Classroom Guide to Mock Trials: In mock trials, students learn about our trial court system by taking on the role of defendant, witness, lawyer, judge, or jury. This 11-lesson-plan guide supports teachers in implementing mock trials in their classrooms.
- Voting Procedure Reform: Students simulate a state senate elections committee hearing.
- The Amendments That Got Away: Students simulate a state-level ratification process.
(View all simulations)
Other Simulation Resources:
Take a Stand
Instructors choose a contested public issue statement and students physically move to take a stand along the continuum based on their claim about the issue.
This is a great initial activity to assess student knowledge before a lesson and can also be useful to assess student understanding after a lesson. Because the method involves physical movement of students, it often motivates students who are normally quiet in class to speak out.
Street Law recommends…
- Take A Stand: Federal Marijuana Legislation (High School)
- Take A Stand: Year-Round School (Elementary School)
- Take A Stand: Cloning (Elementary School)
- Take A Stand: Mandated Recycling (Elementary School)
Other Take a Stand Resources:
