Exploring controversial issues in elementary social studies

• In Event: Examining issues that impact student learning such as Student Sense of Belonging, Home Language, and others

Abstract

Controversial issue discussion in early grades can increase student engagement and provide an authentic and engaging springboard to relevant individual, community, and societal issues. Elementary students who engage in controversial discussion will have exposure to different and sometimes conflicting perspectives, and learn how to carefully evaluate legitimate alternatives, participate respectfully in group discussions, and ultimately decide the best course of action. This paper examines the utilization of controversial discussion surrounding concepts of distributive justice and procedural justice and how they can be explored in elementary classrooms. The authors outline two lesson plans containing discussion on controversial topics within the realm of procedural justice, which have been employed in one of the authors’ third grade classrooms. They find that providing opportunities for students to go through the process of moral negotiation allows them to question and shape their own beliefs in a constructive manner.

Author

• Danielle Linowes, Miami University