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.
Author(s): Kent Lenci
Publisher: Routledge/Eye on Education
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 162
City: New York
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
