I liked this idea. But I enjoy social discourse and debate. I am curious if intermediate elementary teachers find this an acceptable topic. I hear my fifth graders talking amongst themselves about current events daily. Comments? Sites such as TeachableMoment.org and groups including Facing History and Ourselves, a nonprofit in Brookline, Massachusetts, are providing teachers with guidance on incorporating Ferguson into their lessons. Teachers are sharing their ideas and classroom experiences online with hashtags such as #FergusonSyllabus and #FergusonInClass. All the things you hear in the larger community are happening in the microcosm called the classroom, said Steve Becton, social program director of urban education at Facing History and Ourselves. For the teachers not allowing it to happen, I think its a missed opportunity. Becton advises teachers to ask nuanced questions: What is the role of law in society? And if a law seems insufficient, how can it be challenged? What is the relationship between African-American males and law enforcement? How do we help students understand that history? Becton asked. Ultimately education is not about facts and dates and figures but about participating in democracy and participating in a civil discourse. School districts in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have provided teachers with instructions for leading Ferguson discussions. The goal is to assist students in being able to exercise their First Amendment rights, to speak out on things they feel passionate about, said Holly Priebe-Diaz.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 03:22:06 +0000