Developing Political Thinking and Discussion Skills in Civics Classrooms. A Book Review of Teaching Politics in Secondary Education: Engaging with Contentious Issues

Authors

Patricia G. Avery, University of Minnesota - Twin CitiesFollow

Abstract

In Teaching Politics in Secondary Education: Engaging with Contentious Issues, Wayne Journell displays his passion for politics, teaching, and research. He provides secondary social studies teachers and teacher educators with practical ideas for reorienting civics and government instruction toward the political sphere as it is, not the idealized politics often portrayed in textbooks. Drawing heavily from his research on civics classes during the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, Journell focused on two primary instructional goals: developing students' skills in political (or policy) thinking and discussions of controversial political issues. This accessible, informative, and inspiring book offers teachers a good first step toward the civics classrooms we need in today’s highly polarized political environment.

Recommended Citation

Avery, P. G. (2018). Developing Political Thinking and Discussion Skills in Civics Classrooms. A Book Review of Teaching Politics in Secondary Education: Engaging with Contentious Issues. Democracy and Education, 26 (2), Article 12.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol26/iss2/12