The day after any high-stakes event–from global conflicts, to campus violence, to local tragedies– can stir up complex emotions, both in you and your students. In the days after one of these events, you might walk into the classroom and sense tension, anxiety, or even silence as students process things. Opening up a discussion might feel like opening Pandora’s Box. However, with a structured approach, these conversations can enhance student learning. The key? Framing. A well-structured conversation helps you navigate challenging topics while keeping course objectives front and center.  

1. Start With Why.  There  are a number of guiding imperatives for weaving high-stakes discussion into our courses. Before diving into any potentially heated conversation, take a moment to share your intentions with your students. Explain why you’re opening up the floor for discussion and how it connects to your course goals. This reassures students that the discussion isn’t about taking sides—it’s about learning together. 

“Today, we’re going to talk about [a high-stakes event], but the goal isn’t to debate ideologies. Instead, we’ll focus on how [this event]  relates to our course content and what we can learn from this moment about leadership, decision-making, or communication.” 

2. Establish Ground Rules. Managing “hot moments” is much easier when you’ve established clear expectations for how students should engage with each other. Start by developing ground rules as a class—this helps students feel more invested and accountable to the group. Encourage respectful listening, openness to different views, and a commitment to curiosity over judgment. You can guide your class to develop these ground rules organically, or you can borrow from best practices published elsewhere, such as the Better Arguments Project. Giving students a chance to co-create guidelines gives them ownership of the conversation and helps ensure discussions remain  constructive, even when emotions run high. 

“Before we begin, let’s agree on how we’ll engage with each other during this conversation. I want us to practice respectful listening and avoid interrupting or speaking over one another. Remember, it’s okay to disagree, but we’ll do so thoughtfully and with respect.” 

3. Create Space to Process and Offer an Exit Ramp
Not every student will be ready to dive headfirst into a charged discussion, and that’s okay. Offering different ways to engage—like a simple minute-paper where students jot down their thoughts before speaking—can make the conversation feel more accessible. This brief pause helps students organize their ideas, manage emotional responses, and refocus if tensions rise. It’s equally important to provide an “exit ramp” for those who may need more time or space. Remind students that they have the option to engage after class, in office hours, or in other ways that feel comfortable to them, so they’re not pressured to speak up in the moment.

“Let’s take a minute to write down our thoughts. This helps us gather perspectives, and remember, if today’s discussion feels overwhelming, I’m here for follow-up conversations during office hours or individually.”

4. Link Back to Learning Goals. To keep discussions  productive and avoid spiraling into unstructured debates, always return to the core learning objectives. Remind students that although  the discussion might be tough, it’s ultimately about honing the skills they’ll need in the real world—critical thinking, communication, and perspective-taking. Bringing the discussion back to its educational purpose helps prevent it from becoming just another argument and fosters meaningful dialogue. 

“One of the goals in this course is to improve our ability to engage in difficult conversations. Today’s discussion is an opportunity to practice listening and considering different perspectives—skills that are crucial not only in our field but also in life.” 

5. Hope for the Best, Plan for the Worst. Even with all the preparation in the world, discussions can still evolve in unexpected ways . When conflict arises, pause, breathe, and assess the situation. Don’t be afraid to stop the conversation if it becomes unproductive or harmful.This is where your role as a facilitator becomes crucial—you’re guiding the conversation, not controlling it, but you’re also setting boundaries when needed. 

“I can sense there’s a lot of emotion around this topic. Let’s pause for a moment and make sure we’re approaching this thoughtfully.” 

 The day after a high-stakes event  can feel daunting to manage in the classroom, but with the right strategies, these discussions can be deeply meaningful . By framing the discussion with clear goals, offering space for reflection, and allowing students the choice to engage on their terms, you create a structured and supportive environment where learning—and real dialogue—can happen. 

Our goal as educators is not just to teach content but also to model navigating the complexities of the world, even when things feel messy. These conversations might not be easy, but they’re worth having.