Engaging Students in Classroom Discussion
Learning TargetsO I can explain the difference between text-
based discussion and other discussion formats
O I can prepare for and facilitate text-based and question based discussions
O I can assess and monitor progress in discussion
Reading/Learning is about thinking.
“Discussion is an important tool of learning. It engages students, broadens their perspectives, and promotes meaning-making, decision-making, and higher-level thinking. Discussion is difficult, even for adults. We converse, we share, we argue, we report, and we think we have discussed. But true discussion is purposeful interchange of ideas through which meaning has the possibility of being revised and extended.”
--from Classroom Discussion by Dixie Spiegel (2005)
Highly Effective Teaching and Learning
O Teachers……O Orchestrates effective discussion,
questioning to promote higher order thinking
O Think deeply about problems/variety of approaches
O Lesson connections to community and current events
O Link to student understandings
Highly Effective Teaching and Learning
O Students……O Authentic and active engagementO Collaborate with other studentsO Applies and refines inquiry skillsO Develops explanations using evidence
Connecting to KCASO SL.6-8.1 Engage effective in a range
of collaborative discussionsO A. Be preparedO B. Follow rulesO C. Pose and answer questionsO Demonstrate understanding of
multiple perspectives
Connecting to KCASSL.1--Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners.
a. Come to discussions prepared
b. Work with peers to set rules for collegial discussions and decision-making
c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas
d. Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives
Connections to TPEGS
What can wreck a discussion?
Successful Discussion
Creating Group Ground Rules and Consequences
Types of discussion
Simple Strategies To Facilitate Classroom Conversation
O Say SomethingO Think Pair ShareO Buzz GroupsO Flying BallO ABC
Prepare Students for Question Based Discussion
Semantic Web
Is the use of standardized testing improving student
learning?
How is a question based discussion different from question/answer?
Prepare Students for Text Based Discussion
Discussion Video
Frayer Model
Definition
How I would use it
What it is
What it is not
Text-Based Discussion
Reading and Annotating Text
Double Entry Journal
Text My Connections
During DiscussionTeacher Role
Student Role
•Collect data on targeted skills•Make notes on re-teaching needs•Make notes on behavioral issues
Participate by•Listening•Questioning•Clarifying•Summarizing•Referring to the text
Let’s Talk About It!
After Discussion
Teacher Role Student Role•Provide individual feedback to students individually•Ask students to reflect using short prompts and post-its•Prepare mini-lessons to address skills
•Provide feedback on the discussion as a whole (not on individual students)•Reflect on discussions to revise thinking
Resources
Exit Slip
