When approaching controversial topics, it is essential to be vigilant. This is especially important when it comes to children. Schools and teachers are often faced with these circumstances. 

According to Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, when teaching controversial topics it is imperative to “understand your students, communicate clearly, and even leave room to reflect.”

When teachers are faced with having to teach controversial topics, especially topics that students may already have a strong opinion on, their goal is to be completely transparent. 

Overall, it is understandable that this can be challenging for teachers to do, especially when students can become offended by certain topics. The end goal is to get students to think critically, hopefully forming their own opinions. 

Although teaching and even learning these topics can be grueling, Choices.edu explained, “By teaching about controversial issues, students learn about topics relevant to their lives, deepen their understanding of complex issues, and explore diverse perspectives.”

Furthermore, students being exposed to different perspectives and opinions are essential to students’ growth and development. 

English teacher Susan Hall gives examples of strategies she uses when teaching sensitive material.

“Before teaching literature that contains sensitive topics — novels like ‘Huck Finn,’ for example, I make sure to do activities like anticipation guides that allow us to discuss the topics that will appear in the literature,” she said. “I encourage students to be open-minded and sensitive to others as well while having these conversations.” 

Hall also stresses the importance of teachers doing thorough research beforehand. 

“I want students to know the impact that such a work has had on others,” Hall said. 

Students find it extremely important to learn about these topics. They also find it useful to be informed with the correct information. 

If students are never given the opportunity to gain knowledge on these topics, they will forever be unable to form a true opinion. 

Teaching students the truth behind these topics will result in society being more open-minded, and would also result in more solutions created. 

“Schools teaching us controversial topics would resolve a lot of ignorance in teens,” senior Jaimee Roberts said. “It would cause us to confidently speak about our beliefs because we have an understanding of the topics.”

Teaching controversial topics can be extremely difficult for all teachers. Although difficult to teach, they are necessary to learn about. 

Literature is an interesting and necessary approach to teaching sensitive materials. Controversial literature provides students an opportunity to see the world through several viewpoints and perspectives. 

“I would never intentionally hurt a student with the literature I choose, so I have to consider beforehand the composition of each class and the dynamics of the personalities.” Hall said.

Many scholars agree that the question is how to teach these subjects, not if.

“Students cannot be blind to the world that awaits them outside of the school walls,” Hall said. “We are doing them an injustice if we don’t have these conversations and explore how to deal with issues that they might face in college or in the workplace.”

Chapman history teacher Fara Stewart believes it is critical to teach difficult topics. 

“Students need to learn (these topics) to use facts and research to support and perhaps change their opinions,” Stewart said. “I discussed controversial topics with some specific rules: listen respectfully, and respond with facts.” 

Although Stewart believes it is extremely important for students to be exposed to controversial topics, she expresses that she had to stop teaching such topics.

“Why have I stopped an important educational practice? Unfortunately, American society has become very polarized,” Stewart said.

Stewart believes that staying clear of a non-threatening environment is way more important than discussing these topics:

“In most cases maintaining an agreeable and friendly classroom atmosphere is more important than debating sensitive topics.”