Interactive Constitution: The First Amendment Project OVERVIEW
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Civil Dialogue Toolkit
Extending the Conversation, Beyond the Classroom
Warning: Students will engage in the civil dialogue and will not likely want to leave when the period is over. This is
a perfect opportunity to speak with students about how to extend the conversation beyond the classroom walls and
use their passion and energy on the subject to further engage their classmates (and others) in the civil dialogue they
have started during class.
The tools presented in the Civil Dialogue Toolkit (https://constitutioncenter.org/learn/constitutional-exchanges/
think-like-a-constitutional-scholar) outline ways students may choose to engage with their fellow citizens by acting
to share their points of view outside the classroom walls. As teachers, this is also a great opportunity to use electronic
tools like Google Classroom or Edmodo to allow students to continue the conversation online. For example, teach-
ers may open a debate question or topic on Google Classroom, where students may choose to share points of view
and comment on posts from other students. Or perhaps a teacher posts a discussion on the Edmodo Classroom for
students to respond and comment on each other’s posts in an eort to further the class discussion beyond the class
period. All of these are possible ways to extend the classroom discussion.
However, some students may wish to share their points of view on the subject with the greater community outside of
school by creating a podcast, writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, or posting news stories on social media.
These are valuable occasions for students to nd their voice and utilize their roles within the community to share their
opinions and make their voices heard. Bringing these actions and activities back to the classroom for further elabora-
tion is also a unique way for students to make the connections between academic focus and citizenship that we strive
for our students to achieve.
About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the
world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprot
organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fullling its congressional char-
ter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings
the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the
leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic
Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in
learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
About the College Board
The College Board is a mission-driven, not-for-prot organization that connects students to college success and opportunity.
Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made
up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education.
Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs
and services in college readiness and college success— including the SAT and the Advanced Placement Program. The organization
also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators and schools. For further
information, visit www.collegeboard.org.