Wolf D.E.N.

The Wolf Discussion Engagement Network (DEN) is a resource for teachers interested in using structured discussion activities to teach students about contemporary public policy issues. Here you will find lesson plans, professional development opportunities, and public events all designed to get students productively talking about political issues.

A word about discussion: Teachers often imagine discussion as a whole-class discussion in which students are primarily answering the teacher’s questions. We think about discussion using Hess and McAvoy’s (2015) criteria for “best practice discussion”: 

1. An open public policy question, often framed as “Should we do ____?” Example: “Should we increase the federal minimum wage?”
2. Students adhere to agreed upon norms.
3. Students have learned about the issue before the discussion. 
4. Students give reasons to each other.
5. All students participate.

This sort of discussion is student-centered and focused on getting young people talking to each other.

The building blocks for good discussion

As you explore the site you will find materials for a number of discussion strategies, like: the Tug of War, Structured Academic Controversy and other forms of deliberative engagement.