Discussion Strategies

After our professional development day last month, I received wonderful feedback about the use of the pinwheel discussion that was modeled.  Teachers from all departments remarked on how they could adapt the process to fit their curriculum, their students, and their needs.

It seems that we are all looking for ways to get students more actively involved in the learning process.  Among other skills, classroom discussions ask students to articulate their understanding, to consider perspectives that may differ from their own, and to support their claims with evidence.  But it can be difficult to find ways to get ALL students involved, especially those who who lack confidence or who may not have enough background information to fully participate (for example, due to recent or extended absences).

The following blog post includes 15 formats for structuring class discussions.  they are divided into three categories:

• Higher-prep Discussion Strategies
• Lower-prep Discussion Strategies
• Ongoing Discussion Strategies

Many of you already use these strategies, but perhaps you could pick up another one or two to add to your toolbox.  As always, if you would like assistance introducing or implementing these or any strategy into your classroom, give me a call.  I would be happy to help.

Link to The Big List of Classroom Discussion Strategies