Books have the power to introduce us to new places, cultures, and perspectives. But right now students across the country are facing empty bookshelves in their classrooms and school libraries, as books that fairly address issues of race, gender, and culture in age-appropriate ways are at risk of being banned from classroom and library shelves by state or local officials.

This week, we're joined by Dr. Heather Harding, Executive Director of Campaign for a Shared Future (https://www.campaignsharedfuture.org/), to discuss what we can do in our local communities to ensure that all children have the opportunity to access inclusive content.

Censorship in Schools

Moving from Q&A to Q&D is both an art and a science.  In this episode, CPET coaches Dr. Jen Gowers and Kelsey Hammond, join us to think out loud about what makes vibrant discussions a challenge to facilitate, how we can meet that challenge, and how we might handle surprising moments in our classroom discussions.  The team shares what "invisible skills" are, why they are crucial for helping students participate in meaningful discussions, along with practical steps we can take to teach these skills to children of all ages.  Your voice matters!   After you listen, let us know your thoughts, questions, and reflections on fostering engaging dialogues in the classroom.

Sparking Student-Led Discussions in the Classroom

Teaching Today is brought to you by The Center for Professional Education of Teachers (CPET) at Teachers College, Columbia University.

In conversation with teachers, researchers, and school leaders, we’re dedicated to breaking down the problems, policies, and promising practices that define teaching. Uniting theory and practice, CPET promotes rigorous and relevant scholarship, and is committed to making excellent education accessible worldwide.

Sparking Student-Led Discussions in the Classroom

Teaching Today

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