Full Description
This book is written for those who value collaborative inquiry, open-ended questions, and student-centered classroom discourse. Leading student-centered discussions is natural for some people and not-so-natural for others. The teacher's role is more than following a set protocol or asking a series of questions. Like much of teaching, leading a discussion falls somewhere between science, art, and magic as the facilitator faces a constant stream of decisions based on ever-changing student behavior. This book is a model for text-based discussions and provides a framework to make decisions that lead to student-centered conversations focused on the understanding of ideas. The book is divided into three sections. The first is for teachers new to student-centered discussions and describes the "science" of leading a discussion: the basic elements of student-centered, text-based discussions, and how to plan for them. The second delves into the "art" and "magic" of leading discussions and provides a framework for making decisions during discussions as the conversation develops. The third section offers a rich collection of strategies for problem-solving when discussions aren't going well and to guide the reader toward continuous improvement of facilitation skills. The book's decision-making framework stresses safety, authentic participation, challenge, and ownership, all of which will help teachers move from a basic level of understanding of discussion facilitation skills to a deepened understanding of the discussion process and the teacher's role within it.
Contents
PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsPart I: Getting Started: The "Science" of Leading Discussions1. The Fundamentals of FacilitatingWhy Have Student Centered Discussions?Essential Ingredients of a Student-Centered, Text-based Discussion, aka "Seminar"The Architecture of a DiscussionFrequently Asked Questions and Tips for BeginnersTips for BeginnersReferencesPART II: Becoming a Skillful Facilitator: The "Art and Magic" of Leading Discussions2. SafetyRecognizing Safety IssuesTone of the DiscussionAtmosphere of Safety and RespectCreating a Culture of InquiryThe Danger of SarcasmFeedback During SeminarA Climate of Respect3. Authentic ParticipationRecognizing Authentic Participation IssuesAttention-Seeking ParticipationText-Focused ParticipationReflective ActivityAssessing Pauses in ConversationFacilitator is Not the Focus4. ChallengeRecognizing Challenge IssuesAssessing UnderstandingOff-Topic ConversationRepetitive Ideas and StatementsIdea-HoppingChallenging Ideas5. OwnershipRecognizing Ownership IssuesAvoiding AnarchyFacilitator Releasing ControlStudent-Driven Discussions6. The Seminar Decision-Making ModelSteps of the Decision-Making ProcessIdentifying the IssueIdentifying Possible CausesMatch to Primary FulcrumIdentifying and Applying Possible StrategiesDetermine Effectiveness of Strategy and Next StepsPART III: Improving Student-Centered Discussions7. Strategies for Ongoing Improvement Across All the FulcrumsReflectionSeminar MappingTeaching the Fulcrums to StudentsFishbowlSeminar FoldersVideotapeAssessmentPeer PlanningPeer CoachingCase Study8. Strategies for Improving Specific FulcrumsSafetySeminar Ground RulesAssigned SeatsYellow Card, Red CardEjectionTime-outWrite Before You TalkRole PlayStop and Try AgainBuilding Safety Outside SeminarRole PlayHave Seminars More FrequentlyAsk The StudentsAuthentic ParticipationHeads-Up QuestionPair-ShareRound RobinInviting Quiet People to SpeakReflective WritingFollow-up WritingPositive ReinforcementConnectionsQuestion AgainPair Share/Write During SeminarSilenceMap ConnectionsChallengeWhere in the Text?Ask Follow-Up QuestionsParaphrase and ProbePair-Share/Write during SeminarPre-SeminarChoosing a Different Type of TextGood QuestionsOwnershipRelinquish the ReinsSelf-assessmentWait TimeFavorite Text PhenomenonEye ContactDon't Be Afraid-DriveTurn-TakingLook Around the CircleResource A - Training GuidesUsing the Fulcrums for Professional DevelopmentWorking with Groups of TeachersNew FacilitatorsExperienced FacilitatorsWorking on Your Own/Working with Individual TeachersIndividual TeachersResource B - ReproduciblesIndex
