TeachersFirst's Resources Related to Difficult Conversations
As teachers, we frequently tackle uncomfortable subjects in the classroom, but polarizing public conversations or events in the news can sometimes make these subjects downright difficult to discuss with students. The resources in this collection will give you ideas on how to start and facilitate tough conversations about topics like inequality, injustice, and politics sensitively while still accomplishing learning goals. You’ll also find lessons and activities to encourage respectful conversation, inclusivity, empathy, and understanding.
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Frank - FRANK
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), drugs and alcohol (27)
In the Classroom
Use this site as part of a science or health class on drug and health related topics. Share this site in a collection of links for students to reference when researching such topics. Have students role-play a video or create a talking avatar on how to resist peer pressure to try drugs. Use a tool such as Voki, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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ProCon - Procon.org
Grades
7 to 12tag(s): climate change (87), critical thinking (112), debate (37), difficult conversations (58), persuasive writing (55), politics (113)
In the Classroom
Using controversial topics that have more than one side is a great way to develop critical thinking and problem solving. Find issues on this site that relate to your curriculum and use them as an entry point for a new unit. Use the teaching resources found on the top menu under the Teacher's Corner. Use this site to teach how to distinguish facts from opinions, using information to write essays or create speeches, or hold a class debate. You may want to facilitate student persuasive writing by using an outline such as Persuasion Map, reviewed here, to help them organize their thinking. Help students develop flexibility in their thinking by having them take part in a difficult conversation and argue a side they do NOT agree with. This will also help students think about how to refute a point the opposition will make. Focus on critical thinking with your students to develop skills needed for life. Use as a whole class activity or for individual students to find an issue of interest to them. Gifted students often think deeply on such issues at an early age and will find these topics of great interest. Use this site to guide a deliberate discussion or debate.Comments
I also love this site, but I don't see any advertising on there at all. The site is free. Not sure how they stay afloat but I'm glad they do. For me, it is better than Opposing Viewpoints database for its depth, ease of use, and lack of registration/passwords. I use it for student debates on current events, and my wife (an English teacher) uses it for persuasive essays and role play debates.ProCon, , Grades: 0 - 12
I've used this and it's great! Balanced, has good resources. Helps students see both sides of an issue.Frances, CT, Grades: 6 - 8
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CurriConnects Book List: Books for Tough Situations - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), disabilities (29), divorce (6), eating disorders (7), emotions (46), social and emotional learning (80), social skills (22)
In the Classroom
Build student literacy skills and help students facing personal challenges. Reading about personally meaningful topics will help students work through them. It will also build the important reading strategy of connecting what they read to what they already know. Keep this list handy in your Favorites to suggest options when a student seems to need them. Since the list includes topics for all levels of maturity, you might want to share portions of it rather than the entire list. You may also want to tell parents about it during parent conferences or when situations arise. As always, allow students to self- select independent reading books from a list of options. Don't forget to share the list with the school and local libraries so they can bring in some of the books on interlibrary loan, if needed. Your school counselor will also appreciate this list. CurriConnects are a great help for teachers and parents who have lost school library/media specialists due to budget cuts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Kid's Health - The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): body systems (40), difficult conversations (58), emotions (46), fitness (49), sexuality (15)
In the Classroom
Health teachers will want to share this site on their teacher web page or in class as part of sex ed units and study of disease. Younger students wondering about illnesses such as cancer will also be able to find good information, written at a level they can understand.This site contains open discussion of topics. We suggest that you preview it to be sure it is in compliance with your school's policies. Some portions discuss topics that will cause great giggles among less mature students, so preview and set the tone before trungin students loose.
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Keep it Real - South Carolina Educational Television Commission
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): adolescence (11), difficult conversations (58)
In the Classroom
Post a link to this site on your web page for parents and teens to view at home. Share with students with students during your health classes. Share with your school's counselor as a resource for information to share with parents, students, and staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Suicide Concerns
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), emotions (46)
In the Classroom
Post a link to this site on your web page for parents and teens to view at home. Share with students during your health classes. Share with your school's counselor as a resource for information to share with parents, students, and staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mr. Rogers on Anger - Self Control - PBS
Grades
K to 1tag(s): difficult conversations (58), emotions (46)
In the Classroom
Put a link on your classroom web page to share with parents. Share with your school's counselor as a resource for information to share with parents, students, and staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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What to Do if You are Raped - American Academy of Family Practitioners
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), sexuality (15)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use when counseling students or addressing issues on sexual harrassment or rape in the classroom. Share with your school's counselor as a resource for information to share with parents, students, and staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Parenting Corner Q &A: HIV and AIDS - American Academy of Pediatrics
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), hiv/aids (16), sexuality (15)
In the Classroom
Offer this site as one of many sources for student research during your HIV/AIDS unit in health class. Challenge students to shift perspective and think about how they would tell a younger sibling or their own (future) child about HIV/AIDS.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Talking About Homosexuality in a Secondary School
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): difficult conversations (58), hiv/aids (16), sexuality (15)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site for use when counseling students or addressing issues on homophobia in the classroom. Share with your school's counselor as a resource for information to share with parents, students, and staff.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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