Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of discussing frightening or controversial topics, specifically in a classroom environment?

Teaching Suggestion: Consider raising the question in the form of a debate or philosophical discussion. The following essay can then be read and discussed to ground the debate and contextualize the idea of living in a “dangerous time.” Alternatively, you might begin the discussion by reviewing a student-generated list of frightening or controversial topics, which may help the class to approach related subjects with sensitivity. It may also help to complete the Short Activity before responding to the Short Answer prompt.

• This essay by James Baldwin explores what happens when adults do not teach difficult social topics in classrooms.
• This teacher-facing resource from Indiana University Bloomington’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning reviews how to manage, prepare for, and discuss difficult topics in the classroom.

Short Activity

It is important to develop certain procedures and agreements when it comes to discussing difficult topics in class.