Learning to Depolarize : Helping Students and Teachers Reach Across Lines of Disagreement

How can schools shoulder some responsibility for depolarizing our fractured American society? In this provocative new book, Kent Lenci describes how educators can tackle the challenge of preparing students to communicate and collaborate across lines of deep disagreement—to face the political and ideological "other"—despite the conventional wisdom that schools should be apolitical. Topics covered include the causes and consequences of political polarization in our society, why schools must address the challenge head-on, bridge-building in the classroom, media literacy and social emotional learning as tools for depolarization, and partnering with parents across the divide. Each chapter offers current research as well as practical strategies and classroom anecdotes. Appropriate for teachers of all grade levels and subject areas, the book will help you reconsider your classroom and school’s role in forging a more depolarized future.