Book Review: Confronting Controversial Issues in the Classroom

Abstract

The recently published book Teaching Social Studies in an Era of Divisiveness: The Challenges of Discussion Social Issues in a Non-partisan Way edited by Wayne Journell helps teachers raise controversial and difficult discussions in their classrooms as part of educating students to be active citizens. Through ten chapters the book provides teachers with broad strategies and context to give educators confidence to intentionally broach controversial issues of race, class, gender, immigration, and technology in their classrooms. This book review captures the main arguments of each chapter, further providing insight into the struggles to create dialogue at the center of the curriculum for current teachers, preservice teachers and teacher educators.