How can teachers foster classrooms where students engage deeply in discussions around social studies topics? In our recent webinar, LaKethia White (PD and Learning Lead at inquirED), along with teachers Paul Han and Jolie Blumberg, shared practical strategies to build a culture of meaningful dialogue. They discussed the power of language, norms, and inclusive practices to encourage student engagement, deeper learning, and democratic skills. Read on for key insights and practical takeaways.
Key Takeaways
Foster Deeper Learning: Active participation in discussion strengthens attention, memory, and the transfer of knowledge to new contexts.
Build Student Engagement: Students become more invested in the content when given the opportunity to share and discuss ideas.
Develop Democratic Skills: Engaging in structured discussions teaches students how to respectfully consider different perspectives and constructively handle disagreements.s.
Why Discussion Matters in Social Studies
In social studies classrooms, discussions are more than just conversations—they’re vital for deepening understanding, fostering engagement, and building essential life skills. When students actively participate, they’re not only learning content but also practicing how to listen, articulate ideas, and engage with diverse perspectives. LaKethia White, PD and Learning Lead at inquirED, explained, “Research shows us that when students actively participate in discussions, they're more engaged in the learning process, enhancing attention and retention.” These interactions help students make real-world connections, strengthening their ability to apply knowledge in new situations.
Fourth-grade teacher Paul Han echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how discussion brings learning to life: "When they're actually talking to someone, a peer, and they're answering questions… you can actually see them making connections in real-time.” These real-time insights deepen students’ investment in the material, as they learn to articulate their own thoughts and understand others’. As White put it, social studies discussions enable students to “navigate complex worlds where we have a myriad of perspectives and voices,” preparing them for active civic life
Building Blocks of a Discussion-Rich Culture
Creating a culture where meaningful discussions thrive requires a strong foundation of intentional practices. Language, norms and traditions, and trust and time are three essential building blocks that foster an environment for open dialogue, respectful interactions, and deeper engagement. Together, these elements help make classroom discussions both impactful and lasting.
Language: “The words we use (and don’t use) in the classroom shape how discussions unfold,” explained White. Teachers can help students express ideas confidently by offering sentence stems such as, “I agree with… because…” or “What I hear you saying is…” Research shows that structured language support enables students to articulate ideas more effectively and reduces anxiety (Mercer & Howe, 2012). Jolie Blumberg shared that she provides sentence stems for her second graders to use during discussions, stating, “I agree with this because I can prove this by…,” which helps students build confidence in contributing to conversations.
Norms and Traditions: Establishing classroom norms like attentive listening and evidence-based argumentation helps discussions flourish. Over time, these norms become traditions that foster respect and collaboration. Paul Han noted that one of his go-to strategies is “cool, warm, and suggestion feedback” to structure peer interactions, where students learn to provide feedback respectfully and thoughtfully, reinforcing a constructive classroom culture.
Trust and Time: Building a discussion-rich environment requires patience and a gradual release of responsibility. “Building a discussion culture obviously does not happen overnight,” said White. She encouraged teachers to model discussion behaviors, gradually allowing students to take ownership as they become more comfortable. For instance, Blumberg described her approach to think-pair-share: “We started by playing Would You Rather… building relationships with each other.” This allowed students to practice the structure before diving into deeper academic discussions.
Strategies for Equitable and Inclusive Discussions
Creating an inclusive space for discussion requires intentional strategies that foster equitable engagement, especially for students who may feel hesitant to participate. Jolie Blumberg highlighted the value of small-group formats, like think-pair-share, to create a welcoming environment where all students feel comfortable expressing their ideas. For her second graders, this structure provides “an opportunity to talk to a peer” without the pressure of sharing in front of the whole class, allowing quieter students to build confidence and develop their voices.
To further support inclusivity, Paul Han shared his “clock partners” strategy, where students rotate partners throughout the year, engaging with classmates they might not typically connect with. “Eventually, with 12 [partners]… you usually end up not always being with your friends or your go-to people,” Han explained, underscoring how this approach fosters collaboration across social groups.
Another valuable strategy discussed was the use of sociograms to monitor and enhance social dynamics in the classroom. “Anytime I noticed that there were children who no one said their name, that was an opportunity for me to think about how can I make sure that this child is more included.” This practice reflects the importance of creating intentional, inclusive practices that support all students in feeling connected and valued.
Managing Conflict and Disagreement
Teaching students to handle disagreements constructively is a key part of building a discussion-rich classroom. White shared that encouraging students to evaluate feedback objectively helps them build resilience and openness to different perspectives. “You can disagree,” noted Han, explaining that he gives students the option to respond to feedback with “Thank you for your feedback,” without needing to change their answer if they feel confident in their response.
Blumberg emphasized the importance of growth mindset in handling feedback: “If I’m getting this feedback, it’s only going to help me improve my work and continue to get better.” By framing feedback as a tool for improvement rather than criticism, students become more comfortable receiving suggestions and reflecting on their work. This focus on constructive response prepares students for respectful discourse both inside and outside the classroom.
Curious about the thought-provoking questions that drive discussions in each unit of Inquiry Journeys, inquirED's K-5 social studies curriculum?
Resources
Watch the Recording
If you missed the live event or would like to revisit any part of the discussion, you can watch the full recording of Building a Culture of Discussion in Social Studies Classrooms below.
About inquirED
inquirED supports teachers with high-quality instructional materials that make joyful, rigorous, and transferable learning possible for every student. Our social studies curricula – Inquiry Journeys (K-5) and Middle School World History – are used across the country to help students build deep content knowledge and develop inquiry skills essential for a thriving democracy.
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