Friday, May 02, 2003

 
i don't know if this is helpful to anyone--here are the directions I hand to my students about leading class discussion--i emphasize the "don't be boring" part--discussions so far have been really successful (knock on wood).

LEADING GROUP DISCUSSION

Your facilitation of class discussion will be graded. Grading is based on preparedness, creativity & success. Class discussion should be fun and not a drag, so please don’t bore us. You can bring in props, other material, make hand-outs, etc. In the past, students have designed class discussion like games, including a rendition of "Hollywood Squares."

You can refer to the "Questions" & "Making Connections" sections for each essay in Fields of Reading, and you can make up discussion questions of your own. Although I certainly want you to address the material discussed in each essay, it is necessary that you address the author’s writing technique, strategy, etc. What works in the essay and what isn’t? What contributes to our understanding of the text and what makes it confusing? How does one author compare to another in terms of her/his style, topic and technique? What are we learning about writing, ourselves and the world from this essay? Make sure your questions are not yes/no questions! In other words, do not start questions "Do you think..." Use "What/Why/How" etc. to begin your questions.

Prepare a discussion to last approximately 25 minutes (i.e. 20-30 minute range).

posted by Kelly 2:38 PM