Learning to Depolarize : Helping Students and Teachers Reach Across Lines of Disagreement

"How can schools shoulder some responsibility for depolarizing our fractured American society? In this provocative new book, Kent Lenci describes how educators can tackle the challenge of preparing students to communicate and collaborate across lines of deep disagreement-to face the political and ideological "other"-despite the conventional wisdom that schools should be apolitical. Topics covered include the causes and consequences of political polarization in our society, why schools must address the challenge head-on, bridge-building in the classroom, media literacy and social emotional learning as tools for depolarization, and partnering with parents across the divide. Each chapter offers current research as well as practical strategies and classroom anecdotes. Appropriate for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas, the book will help you reconsider your classroom and school's role in forging a more depolarized future"-- Provided by publisher Cover Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Acknowledgments Meet the Author 1 Introduction: We Have Always Been Those Students The Challenge of Political Polarization Meeting the Challenge in Schools Notes 2 Polarization Awaits Our Children The Power of Group Membership Ideological and Affective Polarization Anything for the Team Our Polarization Is Chronic Conclusion: This Polarization Cannot Be Ignored Notes 3 Depolarization Is a Job for Schools It’s Not Enough to Know... Or Even to Think Will Civic Education Lead to Depolarization? The Sorting Hat: Assigning Students to Their Political Tribe Conclusion: School-Based Prevention, Not Lab-Based Intervention Notes 4 Cross-Cutting Dialogue Through Cross-Country Connections A Cross-Country Partnership Students Discover a Connection Curricular Resources for Cross-Country Collaborations Conclusion: Connect Classrooms to Begin Depolarization Notes 5 Teaching Students to Build Bridges Within the Classroom Establishing Classroom Norms Teaching Students How to Listen Curricular Resources to Encourage Dialogue Practicing Dialogue in the Classroom Small Groupings for More Dialogic Practice Assessment of Bridge-Building Skills Digital Portfolios Conclusion: Building Toward Depolarization Within the Classroom Notes 6 Depolarization Requires Managing Media and Emotions Emotions Matter Social Emotional Learning Perspective-Taking Media Literacy Black Confederates Implementing SEL and Media Literacy in the Classroom Conclusion: Here’s How Not to Behave Notes 7 Positioning Faculty to Encourage Depolarization Faculty Members Talking Across the Political Divide Conservatives in the Closet It’s Not So Hard to Do Resources to Help Faculty Learn About Polarization Classroom Strategies Conclusion: Teachers First Notes 8 Partnering With Parents Across the Political Divide Disagreement Over the Curriculum Is Nothing New An Explosion of Parent Groups Media Sparks the Movement How Not to Respond to That Parent Searching for Common Ground Between Teachers and Parent Groups Dialogue Among Parents Who Disagree What Schools Can Do Conclusion: Leave the Battlefield Behind Notes 9 Conclusion: Finding the Courage to Depolarize The Tool Kit Will Not Suffice In Celebration of Ambiguity Connecting the Dots Notes Appendix Consolidated List of Resources Connecting Students Across Classrooms Confederate Flag Project AllSides for Schools (https://allsidesforschools.org/ Mismatch/) American Pals (www.americanpals.org/) American Exchange Project (https://americanexchangeproject.org/) National Constitution Center (https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-Constitution/online-Civic-Learning-Opportunities) Classroom Norm-Setting and Dialogue Facing History and Ourselves (www.facinghistory.org/resource-Library/teaching-Strategies/contracting) Learning for Justice (www.learningforjustice.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/LFJ-2111-Lets-Talk-November-2021-11172021.pdf) The Greater Good Science Center’s Bridging Differences Playbook (https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/Bridging_Differences_Playbook-Final.pdf) The Better Arguments Project (https://betterarguments.org/resources-Tabs/#education) OpenMind (https://openmindplatform.org/content/) Teaching Made Practical (https://teachingmadepractical.com/facilitating-Small-Group-Discussion/) Cult of Pedagogy (www.cultofpedagogy.com/speaking-Listening-Techniques/) Recent Films to Inspire Bridge-Building Work Dialogue Lab: America (https://ideosinstitute.org/dla) Reunited States (https://reunitedstates.tv/) For the Common Good (https://vimeo.com/tnpideafilms/review/383616248/665271ed21) SEL and Media Literacy CASEL (https://casel.org/) Center for Healthy Minds (https://centerhealthyminds.org/) Center for Media Literacy (www.medialit.org/global-Ramp-Media-Literacy) National Association for Media Literacy Education (https://namle.net/) Common Sense Media (www.commonsense.org/education/digital-Citizenship) The Social Dilemma (www.thesocialdilemma.com/) Balancing the News Diet Read Across the Aisle (www.readacrosstheaisle.com/) AllSides (www.allsides.com/unbiased-Balanced-News) Ground News (https://ground.news/) The Flip Side (www.theflipside.io/) Tangle (www.readtangle.com/) Adults Practicing Dialogue Across Divides Braver Angels (https://braverangels.org/) Living Room Conversations (https://livingroomconversations.org/) Greater Good Science Center Bridging Differences Initiative (https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/what_we_do/major_initiatives/bridging_differences) Pew Research Center (www.pewresearch.org/politics/2014/06/12/political-Polarization-In-The-American-Public/) Citizen Connect (https://citizenconnect.us/) Parent Rights Parents Unite (www.parentsunite.org/conference-Videos) Works Cited