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The article discusses implementing Paideia educational programs based on classroom discussion in order to implement 2012 U.S. Common Core State Standards for literacy education. Academic discourse, reading comprehension, and curriculum development are discussed, as well as teaching methods for critical thinking, public speaking, and listening skills. Literacy coach Melissa Hedt's lesson plan on the philosophy of science is described, which includes excerpts from the book "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelly to promote discussion.

The article discusses methods of teaching U.S. students purposeful reading skills, particularly focusing on the importance of learning to differentiate crucial information from minutiae in academic literature. It addresses the benefits of clear instruction for students, helping students identify essential information in texts, and teaching reading with intent and purpose.

The article presents information on the need for liberal arts skills in the U.S. workforce and describes a successful strategy used by the Tempe Preparatory Academy to provide a rigorous liberal arts education to it students. At the Arizona charter high school, students spend two hours per day on combined language arts and history content, where they read or write, or discuss the broad issues found in their reading. Discussion and writing are focused on analysis, argument, evaluation of ethics and actions, and discerning bias. The ability fostered at Tempe Prep, referred to as "argumentative literacy," prepares students for college-level work. The author explains how to overcome obstacles to fostering argumentative literacy in U.S. schools.

Discusses the importance of writing in learning mathematics and science. Content journals; Written conversations; Methods of incorporating writing in the content of math and science; Letter writing; Informal reports.