It’s going to be uncomfortable–maybe a little more than I expected, given our classroom culture, but I guess it makes sense. Sharing Smiles and Frowns is one thing. Discussing societal issues is quite another, especially with how I am asking my kids to do it.

When they walk in the room today, they will find fifteen sets of paired, facing desks. To begin, the kids may sit where they like, but as the activity gets underway, they will rotate every two minutes, conversing with a new partner each time about a different topic.

They will be discussing the top fifteen class-selected societal issues, narrowed down from the forty-five I originally presented. The issues range from homelessness, to gun control, to childhood obesity, to climate change. And each period’s top fifteen varied a bit, so the topics will vary over the course of the day as kids share their views with each other. And this is where it took a bit of unanticipated turn.

Some kids are not comfortable sharing their personal views with someone else in such a way (paired together). I expected a little anxiety, but I figured most, if not all, would jump at the chance to express their views. But I was wrong. And though I have fretted some over this, I am not going to change the physical format of the activity. But I am going to make some changes to hopefully alleviate some of the anxiety.

I think part of the problem exists due to the “debate-to-divide” experiences kids have had up to this point. Though I have advised them that today’s goal is not to debate but discuss the issues, I think it’s hard for some to step away from past experience, believing there has to be a winner and a loser. It’s how they’ve been conditioned. So, I think that is causing some distress among some. So, this is how I will help.

First, I will tell the kids why I am not changing the physical format. It will sound something like this:

I know this format is uncomfortable for some of you. It’s hard to talk about hard things, especially with someone you don’t know well and with someone who may have very different views from you. I know that. And I hope you know by now that I neither seek nor enjoy putting you in anxious moments. And that is not my goal here. Never my goal. But I will challenge you. And today I am challenging you to try what we have forgotten how to do as a society: talk with each other. Just that, talk with each other. Not at or even to, but with each other. To sit down for two minutes and have a conversation about things that are broken in our society. To have a conversation that is as much about listening as it is speaking. Maybe more about listening. Today is not about right or wrong, win or lose. Today is about coming to the table to see, to hear, to understand the space that divides us and staying in the conversation. I believe we have to talk. Sometimes, I think the divide is so wide because we don’t. We have to talk with each other. That is my challenge for you.

Second, I will also tell my kids:

“It’s just a conversation about the topic. You can go as deep or stay as shallow as you’d like. You don’t have to argue.”

“If you find yourself not wanting to talk about a particular issue, offer to listen.”

“If all else fails, and you find yourself in an awkward moment, just talk with each other.”

I hope this helps settle some. I hope. I am really eager to see how this goes today. Tomorrow, I will share some of the feedback I get from kids. Fingers crossed that “with talk” we can build some bridges.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…talking with each other.

…reflecting on and sharing about our experience.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Tuesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.