"We Have Those Kinds of Conversations Here . . .": Addressing Contentious Politics With Elementary Students

• In Event: Under-Examined Topics in Social Studies Research

Abstract

Much has been written about the challenges teachers face when broaching controversial political issues in secondary education. However, comparatively little research has studied how teachers frame politics and controversial issues in elementary classrooms. In this case study of an exemplary fifth grade teacher during the 2016 Presidential Election, we explore how controversial political issues, particularly issues that implicate student identities, can be broached in the upper elementary grades. We found that the teacher was able to engage her students in tolerant political discourse through developing critically caring relationships, implementing practices to support students’ intrinsic political interests, and being responsive to real-time political events. The findings from this study offer support for the teaching of difficult subjects in the elementary grades.

Authors

• Katherina Ann Payne, The University of Texas - Austin

• Wayne Journell, University of North Carolina - Greensboro