Many teachers are missing the opportunity to use events like the Iran war as teachable moments.

(STATE COLLEGE, PENN.) It’s a scene that’s played out in K-12 schools around the country in recent years. Unprompted, a student expresses her thoughts or feelings about a difficult issue, such as the Iran war. A murmur spreads through the classroom. Other students prepare to jump into a heated discussion. But the teacher nips the conversation in the bud, redirecting everyone’s attention to the lesson of the day.

This approach, while perhaps well-meaning, can silence students, curtail their growth and rob them of learning opportunities.

Originally published on theconversation.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.

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