Touchstones Discussion Project

In Touchstones, students read the opening of the Declaration of Independence and discuss the promise of the rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Freedom includes the ability to share ideas, listen to different perspectives, and learn from one another.

This July 4th, we celebrate not only our nation's independence, but also the conversations that strengthen our communities and help us better understand one another.

Happy Independence Day from Touchstones!

What skills are built through Touchstones?

Our Essential Skills support social-emotional learning goals and help all learners develop the competencies they need to navigate our changing world.

At Touchstones, we view texts not as ends in themselves, but as tools for navigating the processes that move a class toward inclusive dialog. The texts in each Touchstones curriculum volume have been chosen and ordered in an intentional sequence with the goal of supporting inclusivity as classes build Essential Skills and move through The Four Stages.

This article from The Chronicle of Higher Education features St. John's College and mentions Touchstones Discussion Project's ties to the College. The article reminds us that the deepest learning often comes not from being told what to think, but from discussing ideas together. It's a powerful affirmation of what we promote every day at Touchstones: dialogue not only builds community, it has the power to transform the people in a community.

https://www.chronicle.com/article/st-johns-college-is-weird-maybe-yours-should-be-more-like-it

This Pride Month, we honor the power of open, respectful dialogue in building understanding across differences. 🌈

At Touchstones, we believe that every voice matters — and that meaningful conversations can help create spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Pride is not only a celebration of identity, but also an invitation to listen deeply, speak honestly, and engage with empathy.