StudentLedDiscussionofAllShapesandSizes.docVIP

Student Led Discussion of All Shapes and Sizes Kinesthetic Small Group Discussions These activities get students moving around the classroom and answering teacher or student written questions in a variety of ways. Structured Controversy Carousel Pod Discussion Graffiti Round Robin Questioning Are you more like… than…? Written conversations Divided Discussions These discussions involve cutting the class in half, so students get the feel of a large group discussion without the intimidating factor of speaking to the entire class. These are good at the beginning of the year when establishing protocol for whole class discussions or if you have a large class in which a whole class discussions would be not be effective. Double Discussion Fishbowl Discussion Whole Class Discussion – a.k.a. Socratic Seminars – a.k.a Paideia These discussions bring the whole class together to discuss important aspect of a text or issue. I find these work best when students write the questions themselves or have some say in what questions they discuss. Students follow the teacher’s protocol, but run the discussion themselves, as the teacher sits in as an equal member of the group, following the same rules as the students. Graded Discussion Guided Debate Structured Controversy This activity can be used to jump start a class as a break during lectures, during in-class readings, etc… This timed format allows students to practice speaking and refuting ideas on the spot and listening attentively. Time these activities and encourage students to talk throughout the allotted time. Be firm in making them stop when their time is up—this supports equity in the controversy. Present students with binary opposites: sides to a debatable topics differing literary lenses discussions between foils opinions from stylistically different writers Time talking parts so students listen and talk once, twice, or three times: sharing sides refuting ( Alter time and talking opportunities ba