These courses are designed to engage the students in meaningful dialogue. True dialogue is a collaborative process of active listening and discussion that helps the students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and respect and curiosity about the ideas of others. We promote a safe atmosphere where students can develop and share their thinking and discover what they do and don’t know through the process of listening to the ideas of others. The classes foster critical thinking, active listening, writing, speaking, media literacy, research skills, process and facilitation skills, and citizenship and social emotional literacy. It supports the development of thoughtful, discerning, and empathetic individuals that are capable of taking responsibility for their actions and capable of both facilitating and engaging in collaborative work. They prepare students to be constructive citizens in whatever communities they are a part of.

Through class discussions, analysis, writing, engaging in conversations with individuals both inside and outside of the classroom setting, self-reflection, and the integration of concepts students will better understand themselves, thinking practices, and the complexity of the world around them.

For more information on the Values program and curriculum, please visit http://values.mountmadonnaschool.org/