Hierarchic: 4 Main Ideas

Upside down

s
TM

Makes Sense
Sense Strategies
Strategies
Makes
Name: Leah Tabor

2008 Edwin Ellis, All Rights Reserved Published by Makes Sense Strategies, LLC, Northport, AL www.MakesSenseStrategies.com

Date:

Discussion Model

02/25/2016

Is about

A strategy that involves students sharing with one another about a common topic and
emphasizes student-student interaction.
Details

Details

Details

Theory:
Cognitive Learning Theory:
-Social interaction and the use
of language facilitate
knowledge construction

1) Identifying Topics:
-This model works best with topics that are
controversial and not cut-and-dry
-Topics such as skills are not appropriate
with this model

1) Introduction:
-Ask students questions or give them a
specific task in order to guide their thinking
to a deeper level prior to the discussion

Vygotskys Theory:
-More knowledgeable other to
facilitate discussion
-Social Interaction is key to
development
Modifications:
-More scaffolding and leading
young children to a few ideas
instead of letting them have
more freedom
-Needs to be done with a topic
JUST discussed

2) Specifying Learning Objectives:

-Students will need to interpret and analyze
their opinions on a topic
-Develop critical thinking through providing
evidence for their opinions
-Develop social skills
3) Developing Student Knowledge:
-This model works best if the discussion
follows lessons that focus on acquiring
knowledge and understanding of a
topic
-Lack of prior knowledge leads to
unsuccessful discussion
4) Establishing Structure:
-Important for this model to go well
-Can be done in a variety of ways, but it is
important to scaffold your students
and guide them in the direction you
want them to go in the entire
discussion

Main Idea

Main Idea

Theory/ Modifications

Planning

2) Exploration:
- Important that students are offered a
variety of perspectives
-It is your job as the teacher to keep the
discussion moving and focused; it is easy
for students to get derailed
-This is where you can help provide students
with experiences that promote social
development
Things to avoid:
-Discussions where students lack prior
knowledge
-Allowing outgoing or over-aggressive
students to dominate the discussion
-Not presenting students with clear
directions
3) Closure:
-Recap all of the different perspectives
given and discussed in relation to the
original topic presented
-Tie all ideas together to help solidify what
they have discussed

Main Idea

Implementation

Details
Increasing Motivation:
1) This model allows students to
interact with their peers
2) Allows creativity and a chance to
share their thinking
3) Increases student success
4) Increases involvement
Two Part Assessment:
1) Are the students understanding the
content as well as developing critical
thinking?
-Ask open ended questions and have
students provide evidence to support
their ideas
2) How are the students growing
socially? (Assessing the group
cooperation)
-Less formal assessment (not
assessed by quizzes, multiple choice,
etc. just observation)
-Does not affect students grades,
however, it is important to give
feedback on how they could work to
improve themselves in group-work

Main Idea

Assessment/Motivati
on

So what? What is important to understand about this?

This topic will be helpful in demonstrating to students that there is more than one right answer sometimes, and
things can be left to their interpretation due to their own experiences. This model also helps develop social skills
and helps demonstrate the importance of polite debate.