Sunday, December 7, 2014

Classroom Discussions


Excellence in Education: Discussions
As a teacher and a student, I loved class discussions, but I probably didn’t make use of them enough.
First let’s look at why discussions make sense:
  • Because students are speaking, learning/understanding become visible
  • Students learn from their peers
  • Conversational skills (listening, speaking, body language) are real-life
  • Students enjoy it
  • Students become aware of their own understanding of the subject
  • Conversation provides practice and extends learning 
Below are some techniques that I’ve seen teachers use to energize their classes through class discussions
Peer Instruction: After a brief presentation, teacher poses a question to the students and allows students to think about their answer individually. Teacher poses a question and allows students to respond (you could use whiteboards, BYOD, etc.). Students find a peer with a different answer and convince them why they chose their response. Have students respond again. Share the correct response.

Paired Verbal Fluency: In pairs students discuss a topic. Student A starts while B listens. After set amount of time, B begins talking but can’t repeat anything A said.

Value Lines or Corners: Have students take a stance by standing on a spectrum line (Strongly Disagree------Strongly Agree) or alternatively mark the corners of the class (Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree). Then have students pair with a neighbor (someone who shares the same beliefs). From there, you can have students share with the entire class or mix-and-match pairs with people from different opinions. It’s always interesting to see if student opinions change.


Administrative Notes
The faculty meetings scheduled for December 1st and 2nd have been moved to December 9th  at (2:45 pm) and 10th at (6:45 am).  These will be in the lecture hall and will not exceed 30 minutes. 

Testing Calendar
Monday, December 1:  Reading blocks 1 and 3
Tuesday, December 2:  Reading blocks 2 and 4 (flip day)
Wednesday, December 3:  History blocks 1 and 3
Thursday, December 4:  History blocks 2 and 4 (flip day)
Friday, December 5:  Science blocks 1 and 3
Monday, December 8:  Science blocks 2 and 4 (flip day)
Tuesday, December 9:  Math blocks 1 and 3
Wednesday, December 10:  Math blocks 2 and 4 (flip day)


Dec 9: Choral and Orchestra Concert (night)
Dec 11: Band Concert (night)

Positive Referral Link: http://goo.gl/s0KXRB

Work Order Request Form: http://goo.gl/H7hFwK



What I’m Reading


  
Visual of the Week:

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