This Is Where It Ends

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of discussing frightening or controversial topics, specifically in a classroom environment?

Teaching Suggestion: Consider raising the question in the form of a debate or philosophical discussion. The following essay can then be read and discussed to ground the debate and contextualize the idea of living in a “dangerous time.” Alternatively, you might begin the discussion by reviewing a student-generated list of frightening or controversial topics, which may help the class to approach related subjects with sensitivity. It may also help to complete the Short Activity before responding to the Short Answer prompt.

• This essay by James Baldwin explores what happens when adults do not teach difficult social topics in classrooms.
• This teacher-facing resource from Indiana University Bloomington’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning reviews how to manage, prepare for, and discuss difficult topics in the classroom.

Short Activity

It is important to develop certain procedures and agreements when it comes to discussing difficult topics in class. To do so, you will conduct research, discuss desired outcomes, and draft a set of conduct procedures and discussion agreements to help the class navigate such topics. Make sure to include plans for maintaining respectful discourse, supportive procedures for experiencing difficult emotions, and a procedure for moving forward from an overly heated discussion or disagreement.

Teaching Suggestion: This exercise is meant to give students a voice and choice in how they approach difficult topics. Consider having students work in pairs to draft conduct and discussion agreements and find resources. Students might then negotiate a final draft as a class. It may be beneficial to review preexisting procedures and SEL supports before students begin.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Reflect on the following questions in writing: How do you feel about US schools having active shooter and lockdown drills? What does it mean that students must prepare for such events? What, if anything, do you think this says about living in the United States?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt may double as an early triage to identify and connect students struggling with the topic to appropriate supports. Consider allowing students the opportunity to share or discuss their reflections with each other if they choose.

• This teacher-facing resource from the University of Michigan provides guidelines for facilitating difficult discussions.
• This statistical report on student attitudes toward school shootings may help students, especially those not living in the United States, contextualize the prompt.