Classroom climate

Creating a classroom climate which is conducive to the discussion of controversial issues requires a skilled practitioner. They must be capable of managing the class with sensitivity – responding to the needs of the material under discussion and students’ responses to the contributions of others (including those who appear not to be involved). The initial guidance for schools for the delivery of citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4 suggests that:

‘Teachers will need to consider the following:

• Ensuring pupils establish ground rules about how they will behave towards each other and how issues will be dealt with
• Ensuring they take due care for the needs of individuals in the class when tackling issues of social, cultural or personal identity.’

QCA, Citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4:
Initial guidance for schools, page 34

Establishing ground rules

The following rules for discussion may appear to be merely common sense, and moreover integral to the successful functioning of any classroom. However, it may be useful briefly to re-emphasise and articulate these rules in case students forget them in the heat of debate:

Discussion rules