• Donate
⚠️ Latest information about COVID-19 >>
  • 0Shopping Cart
Touchstones Discussion Project
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • About
    • Vision and Mission
    • Who We Are
      • Board of Directors
      • Advisory Council
      • Staff
    • Our History
    • For Funders
      • Giving to Touchstones
    • Press
    • Contact Us
  • Educational Programs
    • How Touchstones Works
      • Four Stages
      • Social and Emotional Learning
      • See Touchstones In Action
    • K-12
      • List of US Schools
      • Elementary Schools
      • Middle Schools
      • High Schools
      • International Schools
      • Independent Schools
      • Homeschools and Co-ops
    • Post-Secondary Schools
      • Bridge Programs
      • Community Colleges
      • Four-Year College
      • Teacher Colleges & Graduate Programs
      • Faculty Development
    • Executives
      • Corporate Leadership Programs
      • Government Executive Programs
      • Custom Programs for Executive Leaders
  • Professional Development
    • In-service Professional Development
      • List of schools that have participated in workshops
    • Coaching
    • Trainer Programs
    • Executive Programs
    • Open Enrollment Workshops
    • Presentations
  • Educator Resources
    • Standards Alignment
      • State-Specific Learning Standards
      • Common Core Standards
    • Essential Resources
      • Teacher Testimonials
    • Teacher of the Year
    • Catalog
  • Community Programs
    • Incarcerated Individuals
    • Veterans
    • Civilians & Veterans
    • Other Adult Groups
    • International
    • Outreach
  • Store
    • Bookstore
      • Print Materials
      • Digital Materials
    • Purchaser Resources
      • Catalog
      • Grade Level Guide for Touchstones Materials
      • 2019-2020 Order Form
      • Review Copy Request Form
      • W-9 Taxpayer ID
      • Touchstones in Manitoba
    • Ordering Policies
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

K-12

“It was really exciting to me to watch the evolution of [my students’] thinking and then their ability to listen to one another and change their opinions…you begin to see the students develop a new respect for one another in terms of the kinds of comments and observations there able to make.”

Joy CoreyChesapeake Academy, Annapolis, MD

Since its very beginning in 1984, Touchstones has attracted interest from schools throughout the U.S. and abroad. In a Touchstones discussion, students of all backgrounds and academic abilities improve skills that help them succeed in school, work, and life. Students’ apply these new skills in other classes, transforming the environment dramatically. As students build respect for one another, they become increasingly aware that everyone has valuable strengths and skills.

Touchstones is the only discussion program that teaches students to teach themselves and others and to assume responsibility for leadership and class outcomes. In their once weekly 45-minute-long class, students progress through the Touchstones Four Stages by using the texts and the discussion process to become active learners. Touchstones addresses the gap between schoolwork and everyday life, as students recognize the relevance of their experiences to education and the world around them. As students learn to express and reflect on their ideas and those of their peers, they gain self-confidence and a greater sense of value and self-respect, which leads to greater respect for others.

Touchstones discussions programs are implemented in public, independent, and parochial schools, as well as in homeschool co-ops, enrichment and after-school programs. The need for the skills that Touchstones develops in all learners is recognized in suburban, rural, and inner-city communities. Touchstones helps teachers, coordinators, resource and instructional specialists, and administrators meet their goals—whether those tied to Common Core State Standards, state-specific learning standards, Social and Emotional Learning goals or other outcomes in which civility, critical thinking, collaboration, and discussion-based learning are valued.

Read Our Catalog

Educational Programs

  • How Touchstones Works
    • Four Stages
    • Social and Emotional Learning
    • See Touchstones In Action
  • K-12
    • List of US Schools
    • Elementary Schools
    • Middle Schools
    • High Schools
    • International Schools
    • Independent Schools
    • Homeschools and Co-ops
  • Post-Secondary Schools
    • Bridge Programs
    • Community Colleges
    • Four-Year College
    • Teacher Colleges & Graduate Programs
    • Faculty Development
  • Executives
    • Corporate Leadership
    • Government Executive Programs
    • Custom Programs for Executive Leaders
© 2021 Touchstones Discussion Group
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Donate
Scroll to top