www.touchstones.org

For high schools, Touchstones offers a range of programs and content volumes. The core program consists of Touchstones Volumes I and II. Each is a series of thirty readings designed to take students through the four stages every discussion group passes through on its way to becoming an effective and collaborative group. These stages are 1) Participation, 2) Cooperation and Collaboration, 3) Active Listening, and 4) Shared Leadership.

Touchstones Volume I is a 30 session exploration of the discussion process itself culminating in students working in small groups to prepare and lead the last series of discussions. Touchstones Volume II builds upon that foundation and guides students to go even further and share the role of teacher, for themselves and their peers. Throughout the year, students explore various aspects of their relation to their education: beginning with how they learn with others by examining themselves as participant and leader; next they examine how they teach themselves incorporating exploratory writing to examine themselves as both reader and writer; and finally, how they teach others by examining their role as both student and teacher.