Purpose:


Thomas Jefferson’s legendary dinner parties were events “where great minds gathered to exchange ideas over food and drink” (Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello). In that spirit, this Feast of Reason deliberation activity prompts students with specific questions to foster an engaging and civil conversation about a deliberation topic. The Feast of Reason structure helps students “navigate the strong opinions” that they may hold about a deliberation topic in “a fun and engaging way,” without trying to change each others’ minds (New American History).

Directions (resource adapted from Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and digitization adapted from New American History):

1. Review this Feast of Reason directions document from New American History.
   • Note the difference of purposes between the Toast, Appetizer, Entrée, Dessert, and Back Burner cards and the symbols connected to each (i.e. cabbage, carrot).
     
2. Select/design the cards that you will have your students use in the activity. Access pre-made Feast of Reason cards from this New American History Google Slide presentation and make a copy of the document so you can edit it.
   • Make sure that the cards that you opt to use with your students are appropriate for the deliberation topic that students are studying. For example:
     • The card that asks What country feels like home to you? Why? may not be appropriate for all deliberation topics, but the card that asks Did any of your own thoughts surprise you? would.
     • You could revise the card that asks What would you like to further understand or explore about civics? to What would you like to further understand or explore about the issue?
3. After selecting/designing the cards that you will use, make sure that every student receives the following, either printed or digitally:
   • 1 Appetizer card
   • 3 Entrée cards
   • 1 Dessert card
   • 1 Back Burner card
     
4. After students complete the deliberation lesson, divide the class into small groups of 5 to 7.
   
   
5. Take a few minutes to review the ground rules for the Feast of Reason discussion by setting some group norms. You may choose to remind your students that “The goal is to have a great conversation where you get to share your own ideas and learn about what your guests think. The goal here is not to convince anyone of your opinion!” (New American History).
   
   
6. The conversation now begins! Students take turns asking the questions on their cards, moving around the table until all the Appetizer cards have been used. They will then do the same with Entrée and then Dessert Cards. Students can feel free to spend as long on each question as they’d like (or you can set a time limit if you prefer). Ideally, each student should answer the question before they move on to the next.
   
   
7. Anyone can use their Back Burner Card to change the tone or topic of the conversation if things are getting close to boiling over. Have students simply announce that they will be using their Back Burner Card, ask the question, and then move on to the next card when ready.
   
   
8. After students complete each of the questions, have them respond to the following question individually as an exit ticket: How can we bridge the political divide and find common ground by taking time to listen to others?
   
   
9. For additional support, questions, and guides, consult this webpage from New American History.