Case-based Teacher Preparation for Teaching Controversial Topics in Middle School

Many middle school teachers are not prepared to develop units and lesson plans on controversial topics. In addition, many are not prepared to respond effectively when controversial topics arise unexpectedly during routine lessons. This is a significant problem because controversial topics are arising with increasing frequency in middle school classrooms. In this article, the authors describe the case method, which centers around narratives about a significant event that leads to a dilemma and may involve teachers, students, parents, and administrators. The case method is designed to facilitate the sharing of strategies, experience, and middle school philosophy, and is ideally suited to help preservice and inservice middle school teachers grapple with the controversial topics that confront them daily. Middle school teachers can use this method to effectively prepare themselves for controversial topics such as the origin of the universe, the evolution of life, the best form of government, and constitutional rights, to name a few. By means of the case method, middle school teachers can turn controversial topics into teaching opportunities. (Contains 4 figures.)