Classroom Content
Sphere provides educators with viewpoint diverse resources to bring conversations to the classroom and equip students to engage in civil discourse. Sphere offers lesson plans, discussion questions, videos, and publications on various topics for use in the classroom that are exclusively nonpartisan.
Collections
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America’s 250th
Sphere Education Initiatives’ 250th collection integrates the study of civics across disciplines to help students identify, analyze, and evaluate the underpinnings of the founding principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence through the framework of civil discourse.
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Getting Started with Civil Discourse
Learn how civil discourse can help you foster strong discussions and connections for your students. Explore our lessons, conversation frameworks, teacher tools, and explainers adaptable for all disciplines and grade levels to get started.
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Human Progress
This collection explores historical figures and cities who epitomize human progress and innovation worldwide. Students will examine influential individuals and places in science, art, and social reform, appreciating their transformative impact on shaping our world.
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Civil Discourse and Economics
This collection aims to cultivate critical thinking skills in students as they explore microeconomics and macroeconomics, examining the role of government in the economy through lessons that encourage analysis, evaluation, and understanding of economic principles and government interventions.
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Politics and Society
Politics and society are interconnected and shape our daily lives. Values and principles should steer decisions on healthcare, education, immigration, and national security. Fostering civil discourse amidst disagreement is important for constructive governance and social harmony.
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Civil Discourse and English Language Arts
This equips teachers with engaging lesson plans to promote respectful and inclusive discussions around literature, enabling students to develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and effective communication while exploring diverse perspectives and themes in literary works.
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Constitution and Law
Examine the Constitution’s principles and interpretation. How to balance personal freedoms with government intervention in areas such as health or national security? Consider the implications of constitutional amendments or law changes on rights and governance.
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Civil Discourse in Science and Technology
This collection is curated with lessons and resources that support the unique nature of civil discourse discussions in the science classroom. Lessons help students explore the intersection of the sciences, economics, public policy, and human progress.
Modules from
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Centers of Progress
This module explores the locations that have served as hubs for human progress and innovation throughout world history. Students will delve into the stories of significant cities and regions, examining their contributions in fields such as science, technology, arts, and governance, fostering a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of societies and the impact of key cultural and intellectual centers.
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Heroes of Progress
This module explores people who have made extraordinary contributions to human wellbeing throughout world history. Students will delve into the stories of important individuals, examining their contributions in fields such as science, technology, arts, and governance, fostering a deep appreciation for innovation, openness, and curiosity.
Latest Lessons
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Negotiating Consent of the Governed in The Scarlet Letter
The final lesson of this unit explores “consent of the governed” by making connections between settings and character development. Students compare the forest and civil society, then collaboratively show how these settings represent negotiations of personal freedom and consent.
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Claiming Unalienable Rights Through The Scarlet Letter
The third lesson examines the role of symbols in deepening our understanding of characters’ choices. Through visual literacy, discussion, and a synthesis essay, students explore Hester’s journey in light of the Declaration’s principle of unalienable rights.
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Coming to Terms with Equality Through The Scarlet Letter
The second lesson asks students to compare 2 works by Hawthorne and write an analysis essay. Students explore nuanced interpretations of his viewpoint and reflect on how his writing reveals historical challenges of applying the Declaration’s principles equally and universally.
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Unraveling Truths Through the Scarlet Letter
This opening lesson explores how the Declaration of Independence influenced Nathaniel Hawthorne. Students build a foundation for understanding layered perspectives in his work and how the Declaration set the stage for literary conversation.
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Books, the Declaration of Independence, and the Founding of the American Mind
The second opening lesson in our Democracy and Literature unit explores how reading shaped the writers of the Declaration of Independence. Students examine how attention influences expression while learning to empathize with and critically analyze varying perspectives.
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Literary Doorways Through Time
The first opening lesson in our Democracy Through Literature unit uses visual literacy and close reading to help students understand how authors from different eras wrote about and responded to their specific time and place.
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Bias Bite #5
Negativity Bias
This mini‐lesson is designed to help your students recognize and better understand negativity bias. This cognitive shortcut can motivate us to take action to address negative situations and avoid future problems; however, it can also lead to a pessimistic outlook and contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.
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Bias Bite #4
The Availability Heuristic
This mini‐lesson is designed to help your students recognize and better understand the availability heuristic. This cognitive shortcut can help with quick decision‐making based on readily available information in our memory, but it can also lead to biased judgments that may overestimate or underestimate the frequency or probability of events.
