Don’t overdo it, but pick one ground rule that you think will be particularly salient for your discussion. We will take turns speaking and not interrupt each other. Ground rules are a lot easier to enforce when you can make eye contact or use body language to keep people in line. Having a focus helps everyone stay on track and be productive, helping “Class charter/Ground rules” If you already have standard “ground rules” in place for managing inclusive and respectful discussions in the classroom, refer to them at the beginning of the session as you explain that you will be discussing important but sensitive issues. Here are some commonly used ground rules (collected from colleagues and meetings we’ve been a part of). 1 . Where board conversations are on sensitive issues, existing ground rules may need to be reviewed or new ones established at the outset of a board meeting or with the move to a particular agenda item. Invite parents to let you know if there are any sensitive issues for their family so you will be prepared. SECTION ONE - ESTABLISHING GROUND RULES. 7. Test assumptions and inferences – making inferences from available information is a valuable skill, but what if we make these assumptions based on incorrect information or a misunderstanding of what someone else said?. Individuals who feel comfortable with conflict / raising controversial issues. Work of any kind requires communication—and you may need to broach difficult subjects. shouldn't discuss the topic, but you also should never highlight those students' situations. identities. Pose guiding questions. This is a way of attempting to make the person as comfortable as possible when sensitive issues are addressed. Consider characteristics of strong discussion from students’ past courses. 9 Ground rules for effective groups. There are many ways to do this. (i.e., focus question, case study, problem, introduce issue for debate, sentence starter, reflection, think-pair-share, etc.) Set ground rules for discussion. As a full group or in small groups, participants discuss the best and the worst training experiences they … Discuss confidentiality, listening, disclosure and ensure you have set the ground rules together. "21 For example, one Introductory Composition instructor states, The issues we will be discussing can be sensitive and emotional. Although we might fear that engaging in politically sensitive issues will derail our classes, the pedagogical literature outlines many benefits of incorporating these kinds of issues. It is critical that students have a chance to find answers … No condemnation or judgment. Ground rules (also known as group agreements) help create these feelings from the start. Another ground rule for co-parent communication is to be cordial when speaking with one another. No shouting or raised voices. When discussing sensitive issues or difficult topics, it is very possible that some students will get angry or upset. Slides 1/1& 1/2-Good facilitation” resource for facilitators Survey Such ground rules support broader class rules and the school’s behaviour policy. Accept every person’s perception as being true for them. Make Your Meetings a Safe Space for Honest Conversation. Ground rules may also be a place to discuss recording the session. Provide education and resources. Ground Rules for Online Discussion Forums General 1. Have students investigate and learn more. be discussing difficult and sensitive issues. Establishing Rules in the Classroom. Any activity-specific ground rules (i.e., not covered by the workshop ground rules) should be made explicit for the activity before it begins or at earliest possible notice. experiences . Ground rules for PSHE will be in place. But when you can't see people and can't hear what people are doing on the other end of the line, it's much harder to keep people focused and on track. Focus the discussion on the topic, not the individual student. Communicate with parents about your approach to discussing controversial issues. Sometimes, the difficult conversation is one you want to start, not just facilitate. Ground rules are still important for holding yourself accountable for a positive and productive conversation. Conversation ground rules can be found here. Regardless of the forum, conversations about diversity and inclusion can be difficult. GROUND RULES: Be willing to acknowledge that sexism and racism exist. Don’t discuss sensitive or private issues in a large group Only people identified by the focus person or staff actively involved with a particular sensitive issue need to discuss it. Here are some tips for establishing an environment in which young people can discuss sensitive issues safely and productively when challenged to explore and articulate their personal feelings about sensitive topics in the classroom. 1. Guide for Setting Ground Rules. Ground Rules . While it is noted that members of the Client and Family Leadership Committee (CFLC) take responsibility for governing themselves, they rely on the Chair, Co-chair and/or staff to facilitate the committee meetings and keep the discussion on time and on track with the meeting Agenda. Meeting minutes; Confidentiality is also secured by the board’s attention to, and agreement on, what is reported in its meeting minutes. be discussing difficult and sensitive issues. Avoiding sensitive … Some examples: No interrupting when someone is speaking. Sample Discussion Guidelines. Eight essential ground rules for great remote meetings. Ground Rules… Step Up, Step Back. They will agree on a set of ground rules for everyone to follow, and make suggestions on how they would like to be supported by their teacher/educator. PreparingStudents for Discussion Whenever you hope to facilitate conversations on social justice concerns, whether preparing for a one-hour workshop or weaving such discussions into a year-long class, a vital first step is the development of guidelines for participation. Speak only for yourself. Depending on the They should not … Avoid making judgments about others. Ground rules should be simple, few and have widespread support. Ground rules for workgroup meetings. But when you can’t see people and can’t hear what people are doing on the other end of the line, it’s much harder to … particularly sensitive, perhaps due to their own pre-existing mental health condition, or that of a family member, then the lesson content should be discussed with them beforehand. What are some suggested ground rules for engaging in sensitive conversations? The golden rule of talking politics at work is to not discuss politics at work. We ask all audience members to be respectful of differing opinions and ask all participants to actively listen in … Before you begin, mention the issues that might come up to prepare students. agreed upon by everyone. Your user details (as given during registration) will be used for posting – no anonymity is allowed. The four ground rules I'd recommend setting are approach with an open mind, avoid stereotypes, have the courage to get uncomfortable, and acknowledge triggers. There are certainly others that you and your colleagues can agree to as needed. There are several effective ways to create ground rules or norms. Discuss confidentiality, listening, disclosure and ensure you have set the ground rules together. When discussing a sensitive issue or problem, give one another your undivided attention. Generating a List of Ground Rules. These guidelines, often referred to as "ground rules" or "community norms," should provide the community within a workshop or class a framework to ensure open, respectful dialogue and maximum participation. Before teaching about mental health issues and emotional wellbeing, clear ‘ground rules’ should be established or reinforced, and the concepts of confidentiality and anonymity covered at the start of the lesson. The four ground rules I'd recommend setting are approach with an open mind, avoid stereotypes, have the courage to get uncomfortable, and acknowledge triggers. Consider and research any cultural barriers that may hinder the discussion of suicide in some communities and prepare for them beforehand. Input of the participants is utilized and allow for more buy-in to the class, program, or group. Setting some boundaries and ground rules for the conversation are a great way to make sure that things don't get out of hand. The four ground rules I'd recommend setting are approach with an open mind, avoid stereotypes, have the courage to get uncomfortable, and acknowledge triggers. Discussion forum is accessible to all registered participants. Consider and research any cultural barriers that may hinder the discussion of suicide in some communities and prepare for them beforehand. 8. Effective ground rules help: 1. It is also recommended that educators illus- The important points below may be useful to review as ground rules for discussing potentially emotionally charged issues: CHARACTER. Bring Issues to the Table. Ask for permission to share things she could do to make it easier for you to discuss sensitive issues. sensitive material, Lantz (2010) suggests that very clear ground rules for class discussion, including confidentiality, need to be agreed in advance, and that educators need to ensure that their own views and feelings do not influence the way in which they teach. As educators, sensitive topics are bound to come up in the classroom, whether you meet in-person or online. Lipcon says there are a few key steps for effective listening and communication when dealing with sensitive issues. Ideally, instructors establish these expectations early in the semester (e.g., holding a class discussion about the class conduct statement in your syllabus). The value of this ground rule is twofold: First, it forces people to recognize … 1. G. State ground rules. There are some things we can do, individually and collectively, to improve those difficult conversations. Ground rules for discussion + active participation from multiple perspectives. Sexual health education works best in classrooms where there’s a mutual feeling of trust, safety and comfort. Ground rules are a short list of expectations to guide how a group works together. Teacher Resources: Strategies for Discussing Sensitive Topics This is a collection of teacher resources that may be helpful for supporting discussion about social justice issues. Group members can discuss the rules and suggest Established near the beginning of a meeting, ground rules embody the best values of an organization: empathy, taking responsibility, being respectful, deep listening, honoring differences, being inclusive, and so on. Ground rules are a lot easier to enforce when you can make eye contact or use body language to keep people in line. Anticipating how you want to deal with potentially sensitive issues is a key element of preparation on the part of the teacher and student. Finally, if you're leading a sensitive conversation, take a look at the Guidelines for Leading a Sensitive Discussion by Dr. Patricia Roberts. You can increase the freedom, candor, and quality of … Take care of yourself and group members. Land on between 3-5 ground rules and after introducing and explaining what each one means to the group, consider asking the group for additions. Land on between 3-5 ground rules and after introducing and explaining what each one means to the group, consider asking the group for additions. Part of any sensitive class discussion involves setting ground rules for the conversation, which are even more productive if they are generated and agreed to by the group. Input of the participants is utilized and allow for more buy-in to the class, program, or group. EXAMPLES OF GROUND RULES. But if you do want to talk about politics and current events at work, you should follow these eight guidelines to keep the conversation productive, interesting, and inoffensive. 1. Remember that discussing these sensitive issues can be difficult for anyone, particularly if it brings up similar personal memories. This will include spirituality as well as cultural preferences around discussing death and other sensitive issues. You don't have to agree with what I think. Ground rules can be used with either a class, group programs, or a workshops, and are usually predetermined and set-up prior to the start of the class, program or workshop. When dealing with sensitive issues like prejudice and discrimination, dialogue will be more productive than debate. They are as follows: Step 1: Show empathy and listen intently. ). Client and Family Leadership Committee . 5. Slides 1/1& 1/2-Good facilitation” resource for facilitators Survey The anxiety can relate to concerns about bringing up a sensitive issue, being uncomfortable with setting or enforcing limits, or worry about how the other person will react. This page will allow you to explain your position on confidentiality as a teacher. Lay Some Ground Rules. 9 GROUND RULES (KS3&4) Students explore and agree ground rules for discussing sensitive issues. This can be especially true in the social studies, which is ultimately the study of human relationships and the functioning of society. Ensure you give your contact details to your group and explain you are trained to help them discuss any issues. Be prepared to deal with tense or emotional moments. Ask questions to understand each other better, not to instruct or shame. More freedom leads to more candor. Adopting Ground Rules to Guide Discussions ... interests and collaborative efforts designed to address controversial issues. Guidelines that ask everyone to participate equally such that everyone talks and … Sample Ground Rules for Mediation. Make Your Meetings a Safe Space for Honest Conversation. When lessons concerning SRE or Drug Education and Substance Misuse are taught, ground rules for discussion and behaviour will also be confirmed and referred to again in subsequent lessons. If the recorder is a group member, the group and/or leader should come up with a strategy that allows her to participate fully in the discussion. You can increase the freedom, candor, and quality of … Ground rules, which Here are some commonly used ground rules (collected from colleagues and meetings we’ve been a part of). In reviewing academic literature: Lynn Holley and Sue Steiner, 2005 This will include spirituality as well as cultural preferences around discussing death and other sensitive issues. Type the rules and review with students in 1-2 weeks. Even if you do not think that you will be dealing with sensitive topics, you should have … their research. There should be no other distractions or diversions (TV, children, newspaper, etc. each other. — Set ground rules at the start of the conversation • Purpose of conversation is to provide an educa-tional and safe context in which to discuss these sensitive issues. But while these guidelines help manage the immediate discussion, just as important is attention to the longer-term stability of the learning community. Forming discussion guidelines in the first few weeks allows students to recognize the importance of discussion in the course, and it also sets up parameters for later on if problems come up (Morgan, 2006; Brookfield and Preskill, 2005). Instead of saying “How can you possibly think that way?” try “Can you tell me more about how you came to that idea?” No interrupting while your partner is speaking. It is important to discuss ground rules for revealing personal details up front. ... students in discussing these issues in a safe, non-judgemental environment preparing them for the ... • Establish ground rules • Create a class charter at the beginning of each year which promotes respect Remember that discussing these sensitive issues can be difficult for anyone, particularly if it brings up similar personal memories. Existing teams that want to improve their meetings can also create ground rules together in a short, focused meeting. Be prepared to deal with tense or emotional moments. ideological . 2. Today, we close out our exploration of managing discussions with two critical skills: establishing ground rules and providing feedback. Ground Rules for the Human Library In order to build an environment that encourages open discussion, The Neil Hellman Library has set the following ground rules for participant behavior : Treat other participants with dignity, respect, care, and courtesy at all times. Discussing and teaching about complex or sensitive issues safely is central to best practice in all PSHE ... work with pupils to establish ground rules about how they will behave towards each other in discussion provide opportunities for pupils to discuss issues in small groups as well as … Agree on the values that are important to honor. discussion guidelines and ground rules, including several examples, see the section below on "Sample Guidelines or Ground Rules for Class Discussion." By Andrea Moran | May 15, 2020. For example, if you are facilitating a discussion in a large group, state before the discussion starts that you would like to focus on active listening. Challenge participants to refrain from any side discussions. Sensitive Issues GCSE For first teaching from September 2017. 2. Working Groups to work on issues. "The professor can set a tone on the first day by setting some ground rules to ensure a safe space for discussion. GROUND RULES 1) The Partnership members (defined as the Advisory Working Group members) will engage in facilitated discussion, which allows for the voicing of different opinions and holds everyone in the room responsible for a successful collaborative process to the maximum extent possible. DO SOMETHING. 10. 2. Try these nine crucial rules. This toolkit is meant for anyone who feels there is a lack of productive discourse around issues of diversity and the role of identity in social relationships, both on a micro (individual) and macro (communal) level. SECTION TWO - HOME Students’ identities, lived experiences, and what they see and hear in the media can all shape their perspectives on the … Don’t … Difficult conversations with employees are unavoidable, whether it’s a performance issue or failed project. It may be appropriate to give the pupil the right to withdraw from the lesson. Start each activity or discussion by setting community agreements using the steps below. Establish ground rules for class discussions of sensitive topics that are likely to trigger a hot moment. Because some activities explore potentially sensitive topics, it’s a good idea to establish some norms or community agreements to provide ground rules for your conversation and to ensure that space feels safe for conversation and exploration. These should include guidance about which issues are appropriate to resolve within he session and which are to be resolved outside the session (per the above guideline.) Summary. Criticize ideas, not individuals. 11 IN CONFIDENCE (KS3&4) Students explore the issue of confidentiality, and problems it might cause. • Encourage student participation. If you know the topic you’re discussing is controversial, establish some ground rules with the class and remind them of these rules before beginning. Introduction. When selecting issues, Hardwood and Hahn (1990) recommend that teachers should consider students’ interests, maturity level and the relevance to their lives. one-to-one setting. Ground rules are key – Every session begins with students negotiating their own rules in order to create a safe environment for discussing sensitive topics. Ground Rules. Created Date: Asking for students’ input in creating ground rules or guidelines raises their investment in the outcome. They are sensitive to how the school, college or organization perceives the workshop or class and attempt to elicit positive feelings and opinions from participants at the expense of productive discussion. each other. Setting ground rules In this lesson, students will come to a group agreement on the type of environment that will help them to discuss difficult and sensitive topics in a safe and respectful way. Acknowledge that we are all systematically taught misinformation about our own group and about members of other groups. Create some “ground rules” that will minimize problems and maximize respectful connection. in discussions. It is important to discuss ground rules for revealing personal details up front. Introduction. Be aware that strong feelings could arise and plan in advance for how to handle them. Create ground rules collaboratively. Ground rules Ground rules help to minimise inappropriate and unintended disclosures and comments of a negative nature made towards other pupils whether intentional or not. 6. Commit to learning, not debating. Let’s start with Zoom. • Engaging in structured conversations with clear ground rules provides a safe space for you and your team to talk about delicate issues, regardless of the subject. We will remain focused on the issues at hand and avoid being sidetracked into other non-relevant areas. Talking about controversial topics has become a daunting task. Conversation Ground Rules (Infographic) Oct 17, 2016. This is true for everyone, regardless of our group (s). Listen actively and with an ear to understanding others' views. 11 Group agreements are usually for programs or workshops. Know the ground rules for creating a safe space at work Ground rules are crucial for work gatherings and chat channels to be deemed safe spaces. At its essence, adding structure means... Agree at the outset about the reason for discussion and the goals you hope to … When discussing sensitive issues or difficult topics, it is very possible that some students will get angry or upset. This toolkit is meant for anyone who feels there is a lack of productive discourse around issues of diversity and the role of identity in social relationships, both on a micro (individual) and macro (communal) level. However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed if a child were to disclose personal issues. Summary. Share all relevant information – If members of the team don’t share all of their information, this can lead to incorrect … Group agreements are usually for programs or workshops. With the right preparation, you can turn these emotionally-charged discussions into effective lines of communication that lead to quick resolutions. Frame the conversation as a way of coming to agreement on ground rules for how, when, and where you’ll deal with topics that are difficult for both of you. Along with treating each other with a certain level of respect, co-parents should also set a rule to only discuss sensitive topics at designated times via specified platforms. Ground rules can be used with either a class, group programs, or a workshops, and are usually predetermined and set-up prior to the start of the class, program or workshop. Set ground rules to ensure that participants listen, try to understand each other and show respect. ... Next, workgroup members took turns discussing the primary issues they observed with the ... comes prepared to negotiate in good faith around complex and sensitive issues. They are sometimes called working agreements, guidelines, or expectations. Remind your students about the ground rules and explain that this issue may affect some students very personally. People often fear they will say the wrong thing. It is not appropriate to encourage pupils to talk about sensitive personal matters in the classroom. Be prepared. Staff will establish that it is inappropriate to disclose personal information. More freedom leads to more candor. This list was compiled by the Strengthening Data Literacy across the Curriculum, a project at EDC in collaboration with the California Polytechnic State University Consider applying structure to conversations. I prefer to lead students in a “meta-discussion” at the beginning of the semester to collectively establish ground rules. If this happens, remain calm and try to turn it into a learning experience. No passive withdrawing or walking away during a discussion without a promise to resume at a specified time. (i.e., questions, student/task roles, affirm all comments, use, circular response discussion, rotating chair, team-based discussions, bring discussion back to key points, Approach the discussion with a sense of curiosity, a willingness to learn from others’ perspectives and experiences, and a desire for constructive dialogue. 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