Practicing Civil Discourse through Literature

GRADE LEVEL 9-12

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11–12.7
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, as well as in words) in order to address a question or solve a problem.

VA:CR1.2.IIA
Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art and design.

VA:CR2.1.IA
Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.

Pacing

Note: This is just one example of how to pace the unit. It centers around a Reader’s Writers Workshop idea, in the sense that you read the chosen book daily (book club, choice, or whole class novel) and work with a text daily. This is paced for a 48‐minute class period. Each day’s lesson has a daily plan. Suggestions for books, short stories, images, and poems are below. Use what you know works in your district, school, and classroom.

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Discuss: What Is Civil Discourse?
Do: Media with Activity
Do: Work on Quilt Cordel (if not finished during class, must be finished by next Monday)

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading Book Discussion
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Create: Introduce Civil Discourse Media Project Centered on Theme

Write: Quick Write Topic Flood
Discussion: What Did You Learn?

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Note: These are just ideas of works that could be used. This list is not exhaustive. Use what you know works in your district, school, and classroom.

Essential Question: How do we define who we are? What is culture and how do we express it?

What topics/ideas are significant to your lives? What topics are relevant and necessary to human relationships?

What do you see? What does family look like? School? Holidays? Civil Discourse Statement (Cato Institute)

What is this book? Is it a window, mirror, door, or …? (Grant Snider)

When I engage in discussions on controversial topics with other people, I will allow them to state their own views and treat them with respect and dignity, even if I disagree with them. I will share my own views and make my own case, but I will not attack others personally, insult them, call them names, or otherwise impugn their character.

Full Statement

Three Words You Need for Your Next Hard Conversation: Oops. Ouch. Whoa.

What’s Going on with Gen Z and Civil Discourse? (Cato Institute)

Windows, Mirrors, Doors

Project Zero 180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle

With Rigor for All by Carol Jago

Why Do I Have to Read This?: Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students by Cris Tovani

So What Do They Really Know?: Assessment That Informs Teaching and Learning by Cris Tovani

Back to Civil Discourse through Literature

VA:CR1.2.IIA
Choose from a range of materials and methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan works of art and design.

VA:CR2.1.IA
Engage in making a work of art or design without having a preconceived plan.

Pacing

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Discuss: What Is Civil Discourse?
Do: Media with Activity
Do: Work on Quilt Cordel (if not finished during class, must be finished by next Monday)

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading Book Discussion
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Create: Introduce Civil Discourse Media Project Centered on Theme

Write: Quick Write Topic Flood
Discussion: What Did You Learn?

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Civil Discourse Introduction: Getting to Know You Intro Activity: Reading an Image
Create: Quilt Cordel
Do: Class Values, Class Norms

Read: Introduce Book and 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Share: Cordel with Class

Read: 20 Minutes of Reading
Book Discussion
(Close Read)

Read: 10 Minutes of Reading
Write: Quick Write
Read: Media with Activity

Activity: Civil Discourse—A Topic Flood with a Quick Write

Note: These are just ideas of works that could be used. This list is not exhaustive. Use what you know works in your district, school, and classroom.

Essential Question: How do we define who we are? What is culture and how do we express it?

What topics/ideas are significant to your lives? What topics are relevant and necessary to human relationships?

What do you see? What does family look like? School? Holidays? Civil Discourse Statement (Cato Institute)

What is this book? Is it a window, mirror, door, or …? (Grant Snider)

Full Statement

Three Words You Need for Your Next Hard Conversation: Oops. Ouch. Whoa.

What’s Going on with Gen Z and Civil Discourse? (Cato Institute)

Windows, Mirrors, Doors

Project Zero 180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents by Kelly Gallagher and Penny Kittle

With Rigor for All by Carol Jago

Why Do I Have to Read This?: Literacy Strategies to Engage Our Most Reluctant Students by Cris Tovani

So What Do They Really Know?: Assessment That Informs Teaching and Learning by Cris Tovani

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