Mike’s Blog
Strategies, Ideas and Insights for Teachers and Leaders
Tag: structuring discussion
-
Understand how skilled teachers use ground rules to bring discussion to life and make it work for all their learners
Life is governed by rules. As adults we implicitly know, acknowledge, and act in accordance with these. Many learners make the complaint that school life is riddled with rules. An…
-
Structuring classroom discussion around a ‘planning meeting’ and what you need to know to make the activity fly
Planning Meeting Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity gives learners an opportunity to discuss the various ways a piece of work might be approached, prior to them getting underway with the…
-
How does a ‘dispute resolution’ discussion activity work and what are the benefits for learners?
Dispute Resolution Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity mirrors those situations that can develop in real life, whereby two parties find themselves in conflict. The discussion centres on the resolution of…
-
What is the ‘showcase’ discussion strategy and why is it a good tool to use when planning for oracy in your lessons?
Showcase Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity recreates an art gallery or museum set-up in the classroom. The teacher asks learners to complete an extended piece of work. Examples include: The…
-
What does a problem-solving discussion look like and how can you use it to develop learners’ critical thinking?
Problem-Solving Discussion Strategy: Explanation This activity asks learners to work together to solve a problem (or two). They must discuss whatever is at issue, exploring solutions as a group before…
-
How can you structure a formal debate in your classroom and use it to help learners speak confidently in front of their peers?
Formal Debate Discussion Strategy: Explanation A formal debate is a highly structured, turn-taking discussion in which participants are bound by rules designed to create a competitive, antagonistic (in the sense…
-
Why is putting a work discussion in your lesson plan a good way to help learners develop their speaking and listening skills while also getting them to think more critically?
Work Discussion Discussion Strategy: Explanation The teacher sets learners a major piece of work. Examples of what this might entail include an extended piece of writing, an independent project or…
-
An overlooked activity that gets learners defending a position, building their confidence, and developing their ability to justify their ideas
‘Defend Your … X’ Discussion Strategy: Explanation Defending something orally or in writing takes a high level of skill. You need to persuasively advance your own arguments and critique the…
-
Use this simple discussion activity to get every learner in your classroom engaged in debate and refining their thinking
Speed Debating Discussion Strategy: Explanation Present learners with a statement related to the topic of study. Divide the class in two. Explain that one half of the class will be…
-
What is the round table classroom discussion strategy, how does it work, and how can you use it to motivate your learners?
Round Table Discussion Strategy: Explanation Round Table is an unstructured discussion activity in which learners take the lead. In terms of numbers, I’d suggest the following: The deciding factor will…