The Deliberation Process - 4 Steps

Building the Foundation

This first session is dedicated to setting expectations and building a foundation to grow from. Students will begin by defining their personal values, which they can connect back to throughout this process as they engage with difficult questions. Following this, the class can move on to the introduction of the topic they'll be exploring and the essential question driving the deliberation. This is also a great time to set expectation for how students should engage with the topic and with one another.

Time: 45–60 minutes (1 class period)

Materials:

1. Core Values Activity Handout
2. Clarifying and Probing Questions Handout
3. Index card
4. Envelope
5. Sticky notes (3 colors)
6. Writing utensil

Activity Instructions:

1. Cut out values tabs.
2. Rank from #1 to #10; add your own if desired.
3. Record rankings on index card; save in envelope.
4. Write your name on 3 colored sticky notes (Blue = 1st, Pink = 2nd, Yellow = 10th value).
5. Place notes under classroom value labels.
6. Refer to Clarifying and Probing Questions for discussion prep.

Exploring Perspectives

This first session is dedicated to setting expectations and building a foundation to grow from. Students will begin by defining their personal values, which they can connect back to throughout this process as they engage with difficult questions. Following this, the class can move on to the introduction of the topic they'll be exploring and the essential question driving the deliberation. This is also a great time to set expectation for how students should engage with the topic and with one another.

Time: 45–60 minutes (1 class period)

Materials:

1. Core Values Activity Handout
2. Clarifying and Probing Questions Handout
3. Index card
4. Envelope
5. Sticky notes (3 colors)
6. Writing utensil

Activity Instructions:

1. Cut out values tabs.
2. Rank from #1 to #10; add your own if desired.
3. Record rankings on index card; save in envelope.
4. Write your name on 3 colored sticky notes (Blue = 1st, Pink = 2nd, Yellow = 10th value).
5. Place notes under classroom value labels.
6. Refer to Clarifying and Probing Questions for discussion prep.

Engaging in Dialogue

This first session is dedicated to setting expectations and building a foundation to grow from. Students will begin by defining their personal values, which they can connect back to throughout this process as they engage with difficult questions. Following this, the class can move on to the introduction of the topic they'll be exploring and the essential question driving the deliberation. This is also a great time to set expectation for how students should engage with the topic and with one another.

Time: 45–60 minutes (1 class period)

Materials:

1. Core Values Activity Handout
2. Clarifying and Probing Questions Handout
3. Index card
4. Envelope
5. Sticky notes (3 colors)
6. Writing utensil

Activity Instructions:

1. Cut out values tabs.
2. Rank from #1 to #10; add your own if desired.
3. Record rankings on index card; save in envelope.
4. Write your name on 3 colored sticky notes (Blue = 1st, Pink = 2nd, Yellow = 10th value).
5. Place notes under classroom value labels.
6. Refer to Clarifying and Probing Questions for discussion prep.

Turning Ideas into Action

This first session is dedicated to setting expectations and building a foundation to grow from. Students will begin by defining their personal values, which they can connect back to throughout this process as they engage with difficult questions. Following this, the class can move on to the introduction of the topic they'll be exploring and the essential question driving the deliberation. This is also a great time to set expectation for how students should engage with the topic and with one another.

Time: 45–60 minutes (1 class period)

Materials:

1. Core Values Activity Handout
2. Clarifying and Probing Questions Handout
3. Index card
4. Envelope
5. Sticky notes (3 colors)
6. Writing utensil

Activity Instructions:

1. Cut out values tabs.
2. Rank from #1 to #10; add your own if desired.
3. Record rankings on index card; save in envelope.
4. Write your name on 3 colored sticky notes (Blue = 1st, Pink = 2nd, Yellow = 10th value).
5. Place notes under classroom value labels.
6. Refer to Clarifying and Probing Questions for discussion prep.