They can come to understand that we make dramatic differences-not by the political positions we espouse but by how we live, by the consciousness and integrity we bring to our actions and the care we take with others. The final strategy for nurturing the development of social consciousness and social responsibility may be the most obvious-to help students enter the dialogue about the real world issues that concern them. Examining the social and political impact of our actions should not simply be relegated to the social studies department. Science classes can investigate the links between science, technology, and society. Mathematics classes can examine how numbers are used in our political process to persuade or deceive.
English classes can focus on the larger social and ethical questions raised by business practices.
Art classes can study the use of visual imagines in creating propaganda. Even at an elementary level there are appropriate strategies for engaging children in meaningful conversations about social and political issues. Learning about and discussing social and political issues as well as the social and political implications of our actions should be an integral part of school life. Our goal must never be to indoctrinate or enlist students in our own causes. We must instead help them think critically and creatively about these issues and empower them to take action to influence events.