Giving Compass' Take:

• In this iCivics post, a Virginia-based middle school teacher discusses the delicate balance in teaching civics in school, without being accused of political bias.

• From talking about ideas instead of specific people to seeking understanding, there's plenty of advice in here that goes beyond the classroom. We should all take notes.

• Here's how to sustain civic engagement from hobby to habit.

Today’s political climate is tough for most people to navigate but it’s a landmine for Civics teachers.  Somedays I come home from teaching at my middle school and my tongue is bleeding because I’m biting it so much during the school day.  (Figuratively, of course!)  So, teaching about the midterm elections must be done carefully and yet courageously.  It’s never been more important to teach kids how to have civil discourse.

Talk about ideas, not people. Middle school students are not comfortable in their own bodies, let alone comfortable with publicly disagreeing on political issues, some of which can be very personal. So, I do an assignment called “Ideal Candidate” in which students must create a drawing of the person who would be their perfect candidate for the midterm election. The candidate can be a person, fictional character, or an object, as long as they can justify their choice.

Seek a greater understanding, not a victory. In the last several years I have started to use more Socratic Seminar in my classes and less debating techniques. When the political leaders seem to be taking a “winning at all costs” stance on the national stage, it is important to model the significance of understanding a variety of perspectives. Creating a safe space to express their beliefs is particularly important in the hostile climate of the mid-term elections.

Read the full article about teaching midterm elections in class by Meg Dombro at iCivics.