Full Description
Facilitate dynamic classroom discussions that motivate students and deepen their understanding!
"There are two reasons why this book is so important now. The first is the vitality of the subject: true classroom dialogue may be our only hope for helping students become thoughtful citizens. The second is that the authors practice what they preach. They assume from the first page that teachers are thoughtful professionals capable of making the subtle decisions discussed. The result is a book that should lie open on the desk of any teacher who is truly interested in teaching students to think."
-Terry Roberts, Director National Paideia Center
"I loved the case stories of classroom discussions that illustrated the authors' points."
-Kimberly C. Smith, Advanced Math Teacher/Math Department Chair
Welborn Middle School, High Point, NC
"Practical and beneficial to teaching and learning in today's world."
-Sylvia Jackson, Principal
Adolfo Camarillo High School, CA
Engage and enlighten students by skillfully guiding them through thought-provoking classroom discussions using these straightforward strategies. Aligned with the principles of Paideia and Socratic seminars, and packed with real-life examples, this teacher-friendly resource highlights the fundamentals of planning for text-based discourse, the four key factors that shape the teacher's decision-making during discussions, and tips for problem-solving and fine-tuning facilitation skills.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Part I: Getting Started: The "Science" of Leading Discussions
1. The Fundamentals of Facilitating
Why Have Student Centered Discussions?
Essential Ingredients of a Student-Centered, Text-based Discussion, aka "Seminar"
The Architecture of a Discussion
Frequently Asked Questions and Tips for Beginners
Tips for Beginners
References
PART II: Becoming a Skillful Facilitator: The "Art and Magic" of Leading Discussions
2. Safety
Recognizing Safety Issues
Tone of the Discussion
Atmosphere of Safety and Respect
Creating a Culture of Inquiry
The Danger of Sarcasm
Feedback During Seminar
A Climate of Respect
3. Authentic Participation
Recognizing Authentic Participation Issues
Attention-Seeking Participation
Text-Focused Participation
Reflective Activity
Assessing Pauses in Conversation
Facilitator is Not the Focus
4. Challenge
Recognizing Challenge Issues
Assessing Understanding
Off-Topic Conversation
Repetitive Ideas and Statements
Idea-Hopping
Challenging Ideas
5. Ownership
Recognizing Ownership Issues
Avoiding Anarchy
Facilitator Releasing Control
Student-Driven Discussions
6. The Seminar Decision-Making Model
Steps of the Decision-Making Process
Identifying the Issue
Identifying Possible Causes
Match to Primary Fulcrum
Identifying and Applying Possible Strategies
Determine Effectiveness of Strategy and Next Steps
PART III: Improving Student-Centered Discussions
7. Strategies for Ongoing Improvement Across All the Fulcrums
Reflection
Seminar Mapping
Teaching the Fulcrums to Students
Fishbowl
Seminar Folders
Videotape
Assessment
Peer Planning
Peer Coaching
Case Study
8. Strategies for Improving Specific Fulcrums
Safety
Seminar Ground Rules
Assigned Seats
Yellow Card, Red Card
Ejection
Time-out
Write Before You Talk
Role Play
Stop and Try Again
Building Safety Outside Seminar
Role Play
Have Seminars More Frequently
Ask The Students
Authentic Participation
Heads-Up Question
Pair-Share
Round Robin
Inviting Quiet People to Speak
Reflective Writing
Follow-up Writing
Positive Reinforcement
Connections
Question Again
Pair Share/Write During Seminar
Silence
Map Connections
Challenge
Where in the Text?
Ask Follow-Up Questions
Paraphrase and Probe
Pair-Share/Write during Seminar
Pre-Seminar
Choosing a Different Type of Text
Good Questions
Ownership
Relinquish the Reins
Self-assessment
Wait Time
Favorite Text Phenomenon
Eye Contact
Don't Be Afraid—Drive
Turn-Taking
Look Around the Circle
Resource A - Training Guides
Using the Fulcrums for Professional Development
Working with Groups of Teachers
New Facilitators
Experienced Facilitators
Working on Your Own/Working with Individual Teachers
Individual Teachers
Resource B - Reproducibles
Index
