Many believe public schools should teach students to weigh the costs and consequences of a range of "perspectives" (actions) that might be chosen – maybe in instances of provocation or over tough issues. Teachers and administrators can “lead” by demonstrating a preference for dialogue. Kids can learn to engage in substantive “talk” when schools make dialogue and deliberation a part of a school or classroom.  This workshop teaches how to do that. To view the schedule, see the workshop website at: www.iowapartners.org.

Sixth Annual Workshop

Teaching Deliberatively:

Building “Leader-full” Communities of Teachers and Students

July 13-17 2015

ISEA Headquarters - Des Moines

2 Hrs. UNI Credit Covered By Grant

The one-week institute builds on the Charles F. Kettering Foundation’s (www.kettering.org) approach to issue deliberation, as adapted to classrooms, and blends with the Iowa Writing Project's unique teaching methodologies. This results in a successful learning experience - and increases potential for more civil classrooms, schools and communities. Participants will:

• Learn how to "frame" concerns for more engaged discussion, deeper insight, more learning.
• Learn to convene, moderate, record, and report on deliberative discussions.
• Learn how public issues and deliberative democracy come together, using writing to develop civic literacy - as per the Iowa Core and national standards.
• Learn to bring issue exploration and deliberation into school curriculum and community life.
• Develop a take-home discussion guide.
• Be invited to share learning experiences with colleagues in follow-up sessions.
• Use e-technology for building & sharing a repertoire of tools, materials, and lessons for teaching in schools back home.

This institute is a joint project of the Iowa Writing Project at University of Northern Iowa (UNI), the Iowa State Education Association, and the Iowa Partners in Learning - with generous support from the David and Elaine Wilkinson Family Fund for Democracy and Education.

A private grant supports the institute and underwrites full tuition costs for two hours of UNI graduate credit for 25 participants (preference to teams from same school). As an alternative to UNI credit, participants may enroll for license renewal credit. Priority for tuition-free participation will be given to interdisciplinary teams (pairs) of teachers from the same school.

Dr. James S. Davis of UNI, the Director of the Iowa Writing Project, is the principal instructor. Members of the Iowa Partners in Learning team co-facilitate. For information: james.davis@uni.edu.

To register: Under its "programs" tab, the Iowa Writing Project will offer a registration link at its site on the UNI website at www.uni.edu/continuinged/iwp/.