If you include topics of peace and nonviolence in your curriculum these may include controversial issues.<\/p>\n
See below for examples of controversial issues recently discussed in the NZ press.<\/p>\n
Teachers may feel uncomfortable with this. However addressing such issues can help to build conceptual understandings, develop critical thinking and develop a reflective social inquiry approach.<\/p>\n
The following resources may be useful.<\/p>\n
Teaching and Learning about Controversial Science Issues<\/strong> by Dr Kathy Griffiths (2010), the University of Waikato<\/p>\n http:\/\/researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz\/handle\/10289\/4808<\/a><\/p>\n Teaching Controversial Issues <\/strong>– Oxfam Global Citizenship Guide<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.oxfam.org.uk\/education\/teachersupport\/cpd\/controversial\/<\/a><\/p>\n Dealing with Controversial Issues<\/strong> – Video Recording by Social Studies in Action<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.learner.org\/libraries\/socialstudies\/issues\/issues\/index.html?pop=yes&pid=1797<\/a><\/p>\n Teaching Emotive and Controversial History<\/strong> – NZ History Online<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.nzhistory.net.nz\/classroom\/teaching-emotive-and-controversial-history<\/a><\/p>\n Communicating about violence, peace and social justice <\/strong>– Australian Psychological Association<\/p>\n (e.g. Why is it so difficult to talk about war, violence and injustice?)<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.psychology.org.au\/publications\/tip_sheets\/communicating\/<\/a><\/p>\n The NZ media reports on children in kindergarten’s\u00a0being issued with ‘gun licences’.<\/p>\n A range of links related to this issue<\/p>\n White poppies for peace are \u201cto remember all the casualties of war and top promote peace\u201d<\/p>\n A range of links related to this issue…<\/p>\n Links from the UK<\/p>\n Children’s activities<\/p>\n Activists protest on the issue of \u201cLest we forget \u2013 already forgotten: Afghanistan, East Timor and Solomon Islands\u201d, and their \u201cTroops out now!\u201d campaign.<\/p>\n A range of links related to this issue…<\/p>\n Some related links from the Australian press<\/p>\n The Kill Factor was aired on Windows of the World<\/em>, Radio NZ National (June 2011). On this BBC World Service Documentary soldiers talk about killing and how the effect this has on them. These discussions address the spectrum of experiences related to war and violence.<\/p>\n These audios could be used to facilitate discussion about controversial issues such as militarisation, conscription, deaths of civilians, returning soldiers, post-traumatic stress disorder.<\/p>\n Part 1<\/p>\nControversial issues in the NZ Press<\/h2>\n
Kindy kids get gun licences<\/h3>\n
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The white poppy appeal for Anzac Day<\/h3>\n
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Flag burning on Anzac Day<\/h3>\n
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The Kill Factor<\/h3>\n