How do we teach the U.S. Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, in a time of growing political conflict and polarization? Perhaps you think answering that question is hopeless? Doesn’t conflict demand that we teach students to listen to understand other perspectives, not merely to decide who is right and who is wrong?

Too often citizens talk past each other about what the Constitution means and how it applies today. And is that any surprise? The Constitution’s provisions are decades, centuries old and anything but crystal clear. In any case, people bring their own wildly different perspectives and biases to their reading of the document. Is the Constitution itself possibly responsible for our polarization?

To help you answer those questions and more, Kent ISD and The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum are collaborating with award winning teacher, Kevin den Dulk, Ph.D.* and Paul B. Henry Professor of Political Science at Calvin College, to present a workshop series on The Bill of Rights: Foundation for Civil Discourse for teachers of American History, Government, and Civics. Coaches of Debate and We The People teams will also find this series extremely valuable.

Despite the very real challenges of teaching the U.S. Constitution,  this series of workshops rests on the assumption that we can teach the Constitution meaningfully and hopefully. You will explore pedagogical tools and content framing that can foster student learning even across lines of deep difference. Along the way, you’ll take on many specific areas of constitutional conflict, including the separation of powers, federalism, the freedoms of religion and speech, due process for the accused, and equal protection.

The Bill of Rights: Foundation for Civil Discourse will meet at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum 4-7 p.m. on October 24^th, November 30^th, January 23^rd, February 28^th, and March 20^th.  Pre-registration for the series is required.

Click here for more details about The Bill of Rights: Foundation for Civil Discourse or to REGISTER today!

*Professor den Dulk is also the Executive Director of the Henry Institute at Calvin College and an award winning teacher. His scholarly work focuses especially on how civil society fosters democratic citizenship. He has co-authored or co-edited several books, including most recently The Challenge of Pluralism (2017). He writes regularly for Comment magazine and the Center for Public Justice. He also serves on the board of the Michigan Center for Civic Education. Follow him on Twitter @kdendulk

This blog post was written by Mary Nell Baldwin, Advanced and Accelerated Consultant for Kent ISD  and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator at Kent ISD.