An accidental discussion broke out as I asked one student to respond to the reading. I do plan for discussion but don't always end up with one. This time I planned for a single response and ended up with a discussion. There's this fine line, a balancing act if you will, between teaching students to take turns when talking and allowing for an impromptu discussion. I like the impromptu; yet, as soon as I don't plan for a discussion, the impromptu will probably cease. Maybe not.
Here is what I learned from the experience. When a discussion is about to erupt ...
- don't stifle talk but allow a discussion to develop
- intervene only to get students back on topic
- think on your feet by throwing additional, on-topic, open-ended questions into the mix
- invite the quiet to respond
Planning for discussion usually involves setting or reviewing the norms and outlining what will be discussed. This is so artificial. Adults engaged in every-day discussions don't plan that way. They simply jump in and go for a swim. If class norms have already been set and if classroom socialization has been taking place prior to the impromptu discussion, students can just jump in and go for a swim.
Truthfully, it's difficult to find discussion questions that capture the attention of 8th graders and that will lead to a meaningful discussion. Allowing students to take the lead helps the teacher. Hmmmmmm ....
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