War. Sex. Political posturing. Cheating. Scandals. Murder.

In addition to looking eerily like our grocery list, that's the stuff at the core of history.

And very few parents want you to expound ad nauseam to their kids about all the nitty-gritty details—or even which side is right—especially if you have, er, eclectic sensibilities.

So how can you teach these issues without losing your job—and possibly your teaching license?

Put on your PG hat, and let's go for a ride.

Be as objective as possible.

We all have our political opinions, just like we all have bellybuttons (except for Freaky Fred over in the corner). In education, it's important to remain as objective as possible with your students and avoid spouting you opinion. Leave that to the kids.

Divisive issue? Maybe organize a debate over an issue or two that you're studying. In that case you might assign sides, so that the 90% of the kids who think one thing don't get to gang up on the minority. After all, it's a practice in thinking through multiple versions of an issue. That's one of the main lessons of history, right?

Stick with sensitivity.

It's hard for folks to understand how the Confederate flag could be used as a symbol of historical pride. It's equally hard for other folks to understand why that same flag could be a symbol of racism. (Though there's no sign like a bunch of states removing the flag from public display to hammer that point home.)

You may have to explicitly teach your kids how to be sensitive about certain issues, especially ones that most people in your area feel one way about if that differs from opinions elsewhere. In other words, model sensitivity—it looks good on you.

Know your limits.

We hate to admit it, but sometimes we aren't equipped with the training or the know-how to address a controversial issue effectively. Maybe it's that there have been racial tensions at your school and you're not quite sure how to handle certain topics surrounding the Civil Rights Movement. Maybe you just don't feel that you've had adequate training to navigate potentially explosive tensions. Whatever the reason, sometimes the thing to do is acknowledge that discomfort and not bite off more than you can chew.

And hey, you're not alone. There's no shame in reaching out to school counselors or even community leaders who can help you move through these challenges. Sure, if you don't have effective resources, you may have to lay down the battle axe until another time. But pointing your students in the right direction can be a good step, especially in those rare cases when you don't have all the answers yourself.

Set ground rules.

When you know something is coming up that has the potential to be a hot topic, make sure you tell your kids to be polite, listen, and use their manners. Sometimes passions flare, but giving that trigger alert beforehand can help stave off the more inflammable flares. There's enough space in the classroom for everyone's thoughtful opinions, and establishing an environment in which everyone knows that to be the case will help keep your conversations civil and safe.

In the end, teaching controversial items isn't easy, but it can be fun. In fact, this is when you're more likely to hear impassioned ideas from your students, great debates, and some really interesting perspectives. When you can, use these subjects to increase critical-thinking skills and help your students practice listening to and understanding each other.

Those are lessons it's never too early to learn.