Usable Knowledge "Challenge Ideas, Not People" Managing classroom conversations to navigate mandates of free speech and freedom from discrimination Posted March 1, 2017 By Usable Knowledge Moral, Civic, and Ethical Education Teachers and Teaching Developmental psychologist Richard Weissbourd, the co-director of Making Caring Common and a senior lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, offers advice on setting the kind of classroom norms that can create a respectful environment for rich conversations about even the most challenging topics."It's very important that we elicit multiple views and honor free speech, but also protect human rights," Weissbourd says. "It's important that we tell kids to appreciate the complexity of others people, as they appreciate their own complexity.Additional ResourcesLearn to do a Circle of Concern [PDF] activity.Get a comprehensive bullying-prevention overview [PDF] from Making Caring Common. Usable Knowledge Connecting education research to practice — with timely insights for educators, families, and communities Explore All Articles Related Articles Usable Knowledge Anti-Muslim Bias Usable Knowledge Optimism Stronger than Fear Immigrant and refugee children are resilient and determined to contribute. Will we stop them — or support them? Usable Knowledge Caring for the Whole Child A middle school drama teacher describes how she makes her classroom a safe harbor