Online Course

The Ronald Reagan Civil Discourse Project for Educators

This section underscores the need and the importance of promoting respect and facilitating effective conversation

Course Overview

Civil Discourse: Overview

Civil discourse is a cornerstone of a vibrant and functioning democracy. This section underscores the need and the importance of promoting respect and facilitating effective conversation. A notable example of civil discourse in practice is provided through the lens of President Ronald Reagan, the "The Great Communicator."

What you'll learn

Cultivate Positive Classroom Culture
Effective Communication Skills

Curriculum

11 Lessons

1
Shift Your Classroom Culture
An intentionally designed classroom provides an ideal opportunity for practicing civil discourse. This section outlines methods for cultivating a positive classroom culture, including setting clear expectations for communication, modeling respectful interactions, and incorporating practices that promote active listening and thoughtful response, which can help students develop the skills necessary for effective civil discourse both in and out of the classroom.
2
ELA Lesson 1: Context
President Ronald Reagan’s distinctive speaking style captivated his audiences. This section highlights Reagan's use of honesty, simple language, and his appeal to his audience's values and emotions as a means to connect. Utilizing primary source materials, students will listen to and analyze President Reagan's words and examine how his genuine and direct approach made his messages both compelling and trustworthy.
3
ELA Lesson 1 (MS): How We Communicate
In this Middle School lesson, students will learn how "The Great Communicator" effectively connected with his listeners by using sincere and straightforward language. His ability to appeal to their values not only captured the audiences' attention but also made his messages impactful and believable. Students will use President Reagan’s speeches as primary sources for a look at powerful and effective communication strategies.
4
ELA Lesson 1 (HS): How We Communicate
In this High School lesson, students will learn how "The Great Communicator" effectively connected with his listeners by using sincere and straightforward language. His ability to appeal to their values not only captured the audiences' attention but also made his messages impactful and believable. Students will use President Reagan’s speeches as primary sources for a look at powerful and effective communication strategies.
5
Social Studies Lesson 1: Context
President Reagan's foreign policy emphasized clear communication and firm but respectful engagement with adversaries. This section explores how these principles of his foreign policy approach can be adapted to handle civil disagreements. It highlights how an emphasis on bold confidence, preparedness and maintaining respect for differing viewpoints can be applied to foster more effective and civil discourse in school and social settings.
6
Social Studies Lesson 1: How We Disagree
President Reagan's approach to foreign policy emphasized clear communication and respectful yet assertive interactions with other nations. In this Middle/High school lesson, students will explore how managing disagreements respectfully, challenging ideas and not people, elevates their own stance and leads to more constructive conversations.
7
ELA Lesson 2: Context
President Ronald Reagan employed key presentation techniques to connect with and influence his audience: the use of notecards to balance the delivery of content with a connection to the audience, understanding who the audience is and using humor and anecdotes. This section will highlight these effective speech-making techniques as important ways that students can elevate their own presentations.
8
ELA Lesson 2: The Art of Effective Presentation
President Reagan mastered the art of public speaking, effectively using notecards, eye contact, stories and even humor to engage and connect with his audience. In this Middle/High school lesson, students will have the opportunity to watch a variety of his speeches, identify those techniques in action and learn how they can apply them to make their own presentations more memorable and effective.
9
Social Studies Lesson 2: Context
President Reagan regularly drew upon the skills he learned in acting to connect with his audiences; his facial expressions and expressive movements, posture and eye contact reinforced his messages and engaged his listeners. This section will give students the opportunity to analyze non-verbal communication and the ways it can positively or negatively impact an audience's impression of the speaker and the message.
10
Social Studies Lesson 2 (MS): The Impact of Non-Verbal Communication
President Reagan drew on his acting skills to connect with his audiences. The connection he made was not just about what he said—his facial expressions, movements, posture, and eye contact all played a big role in reinforcing his messages and engaging his listeners. In this Middle/High school lesson, students will analyze the positive or negative impact non-verbal communication has on a speaker’s message so that they ensure their non-verbal language is "saying" what they want it to say.
11
Social Studies Lesson 2 (HS): The Impact of Non-Verbal Communication
President Reagan drew on his acting skills to connect with his audiences. The connection he made was not just about what he said—his facial expressions, movements, posture, and eye contact all played a big role in reinforcing his messages and engaging his listeners. In this Middle/High school lesson, students will analyze the positive or negative impact non-verbal communication has on a speaker’s message so that they ensure their non-verbal language is "saying" what they want it to say.