TEACHING HUMANITY - Exercises

These classroom-ready practices, adapted from Speaking Truth, Teaching Humanity by Kalyan Ali Balaven, reflect the legacy of Tommie Lindsey and the tradition of progressive education. Each activity helps students experience authentic humanity and deepens the work of whole student education. Every exercise can be done in 10–25 minutes and serves as a preview of the book’s practical framework for schools.

1) Your Story, Your Mic

Prompt: Tell the story of a time you learned something about yourself that changed how you see the world.

Flow: 15-min outline → partner listen/feedback → record a 3-min “podcast” → play excerpts & debrief.

Why it works: Builds student voice, empathy, and belonging—core to whole student education and a foundation of authentic humanity in the age of A.I.

2) The 90-Second Story

Prompt: Pick a personal moment and connect it to a larger issue (e.g., climate, AI ethics, belonging).

Rule: 90 seconds—brevity sharpens thought.

Why it works: Reinforces Lindsey’s lesson that the story is the argument. This practice grounds progressive educationin lived experience while cultivating confidence and clarity.

3) The 3-2-1 Listening Drill

Flow: Partner A speaks 3 minutes (no interruptions). Partner B reflects back 2 minutes. Partner B adds 1 minute of perspective. Switch roles.

Why it works: Turns listening into a structured act of justice. As Kalyan Ali Balaven notes, listening is not a luxury but an obligation—an anchor of authentic humanity and a defining skill in whole student education.

4) No One Left Off the Bus

Set-up: Circle of chairs + one empty chair labeled “A voice not yet heard.”

Action: Students briefly speak from that missing perspective using “I” statements; group reflects on what changed.

Why it works: Inspired by Tommie Lindsey’s famous teaching moments, this practice ensures overlooked voices are named and heard. It models inclusion and belonging as hallmarks of progressive education.

5) Fail Forward Fridays

Cadence: Once a month, students share something they tried that didn’t work; give standing applause for the risk.

Why it works: Normalizes vulnerability and reframes failure as fuel for growth. This spirit of risk-taking is central to progressive education and essential for preparing students to thrive in a world where authentic humanity matters more than perfection.