How do we talk about issues that matter?
In answering the question "How do we talk about issues that matter?" I believe that in a classroom setting before even conversing about controversial, racial or difficult issues in general we must do our part and create a safe, comforting and welcoming environment where students feel confident enough to share their opinions. In the absence of respect and trust in a classroom, children will not have the courage to be able to discuss issues that matter and instead will continue to shut down the voice of students who are directly being affected by the issues being discussed. In the video titled "Barometer" an 8th grade language arts teacher, Jonathan Dee, presents a teaching strategy on the first week of classes where all students are invited to share their opinions on certain topics. One of the golden lines that spoke out to me was when Mr.Dee said "There is a lot of students that don't necessarily know each other very well but if they can respect each othe...