GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL CLASSROOM DISCUSSION
There are guidelines teachers must implement discussions in the classroom.
Before beginning the discussion, teachers should prepare by asking questions of the text, making connections, visualizing and marking important, confusing or exciting parts of the text. Students, on the other hand, should listen attentively, look at the speaker and wait for the person speaking to complete his/her thought before speaking. Also, they should not change the subject abruptly.
Teachers should speak clearly with an appropriate voice, pronounce words carefully and make sure their voice is heard. They should speak with a calm, clear tone.
Students should also talk to their classmates, not just the teacher. Comments should be in response to a particular classmate’s thoughts, or directed to the entire group.
They can also build ideas on what others have said. When they speak, they should refer to the previous speaker, by saying “I agree with _______ because...”, or “I partially agree with __________, in that . . ., but I’d like to add… ”
In making comments, both teachers and students should back up their statements and make reference to the text to support the comments. Always refer to previous lessons or lessons and provide reasons, examples, or analogies.
Everyone must also strive for understanding. Try to understand what the text, the teacher and the students are saying. After, ask questions, ask for assistance, ask for clarification. Remember, the purpose of a discussion is to gain a deeper understanding of the “text”, and not to “win”.
Students may also challenge the opinions of others, as well as ideas and assumptions. They may criticize ideas, but never the person who said them. They can say, “I disagree with your point, ___________, because...” In disagreeing, do it politely. If you can find anything in the other person’s argument that you agree with, they are much more likely to listen to you if you acknowledge that first.
Lastly, keep an open mind and welcome opinions other than your own, because that is what makes for an interesting discussion. Try to keep the discussion intellectual.
— oOo—
I at Balucuc Elementary School
The author is Teacher
if we want our students to be active in