Sphere on the Road
Sphere wants to bring civil discourse, civics lessons, and scholar expertise to schools and communities across the country. We will work with you to create an event that aligns with your communities’ goals and vision. Whether it’s a day long program or an after‐school PD, contact us and we can start working on your Sphere event at your school, in your district, or community.
Sample Professional Development Programming
Sample: Two‐Hour Workshop
Welcome/Refreshments
1st Hour Options:
What is Civil Discourse and why does it matter?
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Focus on civil discourse, student free speech, viewing through the lens of pressing issues and viewpoint diversity
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Possible local guest speaker or small panel discussion on free speech, methods of civil discourse, applying discourse to local community issue
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Audience participation: modeling a discussion while we act as teacher/facilitator and demonstrating discourse through the lens of a contentious issue
2nd Hour:
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Collaborative group breakouts
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Putting it all together
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Developing a lesson plan implementing civil discourse based on local, state, or national issue
Sample: Half‐Day Event
Welcome/Refreshments
1st Hour Options:
What is Civil Discourse and why does it matter?
-
Focus on civil discourse, student free speech, viewing through the lens of pressing issues and viewpoint diversity
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Option to open with a Keynote presenter Address
2nd Hour:
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Bringing Civil Discourse to your classroom by Sphere: focus on facilitating dialogue through the lens of pressing issues while considering viewpoint diversity
3rd Hour:
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Collaborative group breakouts
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Putting it all together
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Developing a lesson plan implementing civil discourse based on local, state, or national issue
Sample: Full‐Day Workshop
Welcome/Refreshments
1st Hour Options:
What is Civil Discourse and why does it matter?
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Welcome and Keynote speaker
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Focus on importance of free speech in the classroom, civil discourse, viewpoint diversity, and outline goals for the workshop
2nd and 3rd Hours:
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Hands‐on application building on key ideas and themes from keynote
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Bringing Civil Discourse to your classroom by Sphere: focus on facilitating dialogue through the lens of pressing issues while considering viewpoint diversity
5th and 6th Hour Options:
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Guest speaker on free speech
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Lesson plan development breakouts
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Putting it all together