Teaching Guidelines for Supporting Respectful Dialogue in the Classroom

Teaching About Historical Language and Terminology

When studying primary and secondary sources in social studies and history, it is important for students to recognize that the language and terminology used at the time reflect the historical, cultural and social context in which they were created. In contemporary society, these words may not carry the same meanings and may even conflict with how we understand them today.

To truly grasp the historical context, however, students must interpret these terms as they were understood in their own era. Engaging with primary sources that contain outdated, offensive, or sensitive language can be challenging and upsetting, but can also serve as a valuable opportunity to encourage respectful, thoughtful dialogue and deepen understanding in the classroom. Teachers should ensure that learning of this kind is always treated with respect, guiding students to analyze the material thoughtfully while maintaining empathy for all perspectives.

Creating a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment

Here are some steps educators can take to navigate these moments with care:

Preparing the Session in Advance

Before the session, we recommend planning ahead to navigate and address sensitive content. Here are some tips: 

• Preview the content fully to identify any potential sensitive language or themes.
• If in doubt, preview school/district policies on addressing sensitive or offensive language and topics.
• Create a response plan that outlines how language will be addressed during read-alouds or discussions. This plan might include intentional pauses, providing historical context or a short session on how to model respectful language.
• Consider how students from all heritages or cultural, linguistic and social backgrounds might interpret the language.
• When appropriate, notify parents/guardians about any lessons including sensitive language or topics and the intended learning outcomes.
• Preview the VR track fully to identify sensitive language or themes.
• If in doubt, preview school/district policies on addressing controversial or offensive content.
• Create a response plan that outlines how language will be addressed during read-alouds or discussions. This plan might include intentional pauses, providing historical context or a short session on how to model respectful language.
• Consider how students with different cultural, racial, linguistic or personal backgrounds might interpret the language.
• Notify parents/guardians (when appropriate) about anything that might include controversial language and your instructional learning approach.

Before the Experience

Before students put on a headset or begin the experience via the browser, we recommend setting classroom boundaries and checking in to gauge where students are emotionally.

• Work with students to create classroom boundaries that emphasize respect and empathy during sensitive discussions.
• Clarify the difference between examining language for learning and applying it in personal interactions.
• Discuss intent and why certain language may have been used in the experience and what effect it may have on the user.
• Provide a brief overview of the planned content so students understand what to expect and can feel more prepared.
• Encourage students to reflect on their feelings or reactions before beginning the session, giving them the option to step back if needed.
• Model respectful language and questioning, demonstrating how to engage with challenging material thoughtfully.
• Clarify the difference between examining language for learning and applying it in personal interactions.
• Discuss intent and why certain language may have been used in the experience and what effect it may have on the user.
• Provide a brief overview of the experience’s content so students know what to expect and can prepare themselves emotionally.
• Encourage students to reflect on their feelings or reactions before the session, giving them the option to step back if needed.

During the Experience

Entering an immersive experience can be emotive, so some students may benefit from guidance that provides historical context and frames sensitive language.

Contextualizing and Facilitating Thoughtful Discussions

When facilitating discussions, it’s important to model thoughtful engagement. Here are some tips:

• Provide historical and cultural context for offensive terms (e.g., racial slurs, outdated terminology).
• Acknowledge the language and do not ignore or minimize its presence or impact.
• Use substitutions during read-alouds if needed, based on class consensus.
• Allow space for students to question, reflect and analyze the content by modeling how to engage thoughtfully with the material.

Supporting Civil Dialogue and Student Well-being

Throughout the experience, consider the impact the material might have on the students while supporting their independence.

• Model neutrality and respect – facilitate, don’t dominate, the conversation.
• Address harmful language immediately and refer back to the boundaries that were established at the beginning of the session.
• Provide students with alternative ways to express strong emotions. For example, if a student becomes frustrated or upset by the content or discussions, give them space to step out of the room or take a moment to write their thoughts in a journal.
• Implement consequences if disrespectful behavior arises or persists.
• Address harmful language immediately and refer back to the norms that were established at the beginning of the session.
• Provide students with alternative ways to express strong emotions. For example, if a student becomes frustrated or upset by the content or discussions, give them space to step out or take a moment to write their thoughts in a journal.

After the Experience

After completing the immersive experience, it is important to plan time for students to reflect on their feelings, discuss any observations and process any emotions that arose during the session.

Ending the Session with Student Well-Being in Mind

• We recommend providing a space for reflection and dialogue to help students process the experience thoughtfully and safely.
• Facilitate a class reflection that allows students to share thoughts, reactions or insights. If students prefer, this can be done individually in a journal or as a group.
• Reinforce established classroom boundaries and remind students about respectful dialogue, emphasizing that language encountered during the session should be discussed thoughtfully in class and not used outside the classroom in a harmful or inappropriate way.
• Debrief any challenging moments and highlight key takeaways from the experience.
• Follow up individually with students who appear distressed or disengaged.
• Where appropriate, follow up with parents, guardians, or school counselors to support students who may need additional guidance or emotional support.
• Facilitate a class reflection that allows students to share thoughts, reactions or insights. If students prefer, this can be done individually in a journal or as a group.
• Reinforce established classroom norms and remind students about respectful dialogue, emphasizing that language encountered during the session should be discussed thoughtfully in class and not used outside the classroom in a harmful or inappropriate way.
• Follow up individually with students who appear distressed or disengaged.
• Where appropriate, follow up with parents, guardians, or school counselors to support students who may need additional guidance or emotional support.

By implementing these steps in the classroom, teachers can foster a culture where students critically engage with texts, respect historical truth, and value each other’s perspectives, while developing empathy, analytical skills and improved communication.

With special thanks to Shoshanna Adams.