Fostering truth discussions in elementary classrooms through materials, events, and environment

Considering our current sociopolitical climate in which certain truths are purposefully hidden from our students, we encourage teachers to provide opportunities for students to inquire and discuss in classroom spaces. Providing such space for students can involve introducing materials that highlight certain concepts or histories, asking critical and open-ended questions, and inviting conversation about various topics regardless of how much students already know. Cultivating this critical (open) space invites students to interact and engage with topics often censored by outside entities. In Joey’s classroom, student engagement with truths was purposefully encouraged through questioning and discussion. Joey introduced visual and written texts as a catalyst for such conversations, facilitating conversations about contemporary and historical events about which the students already formed opinions, and cultivating and maintaining an open environment in her classroom.