Enabling civic discourse more deeply involves co-creating discussion norms, modeling active listening, and honoring diverse perspectives to foster safety. Integrating primary sources and current events grounds students in authentic issues while structured debates, simulations, and role-playing nurture empathy and critical thinking. Collaborative projects—such as community action plans—enable learners to address local concerns, reinforcing relevance. Teachers must exemplify respectful disagreement by requiring evidence-based arguments and guiding students to articulate and defend positions thoughtfully. Ongoing reflection on personal biases and open-minded dialogue cultivates self-awareness. By weaving these strategies together, social studies classrooms build the skills students need to become informed, engaged, and responsible citizens.