Discussion Model
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS MODEL:The purpose of the model is so that groupwork combined with cooperative learning may guide students discussions so that they share their personal ideas about a common topic. The purpose for the student learning in this model is so that students may discuss their individual ideas on topics and create a broader more open minded view on topics and understand others point of views.
POSSIBLE DRAWBACKS OF USING THIS MODEL: Picking a contriversal topic to discuss in class could end up offending and insulting some students. Others may be too passionate and talk over other students, denying others the ability to voice their opinions and be included in the discussion.
HOW I CAN SEE MYSELF USING THIS MODEL: I would pick a debate about whether or not we should go into other countries to help out in foreign affairs even if we are not asked to. Before letting students discuss, I would get students to think about what points they want to discuss about the topic, divide the students into sides or teams so that they have to think about a different angle, and then divide those sides or teams into groups so that they could share their ideas in a more concentrated area.
OTHER COMMENTS/COMPARISONS:Discussion Strategies model is about involving students to share their ideas about a common topic that can also be effectively combined with group work and cooperative learning.The Discussion Strategies Model is important to understand so that teachers may gauge what students think about specific topics and guide their understanding so that they may be more open minded and accepting of not only new topics, but others differing opinions on those topics.
Discussion Lesson Plan Example
Some of the strengths in this model is that the teacher gives a direct link to general teaching strategies/classroom accommodations for students with identified learning and/or behavior problems such as: reading or math performance below grade level; test or classroom assignments/quizzes at a failing level; failure to complete assignments independently; difficulty with short-term memory, abstract concepts, staying on task, or following directions; poor peer interaction or temper tantrums, and other learning or behavior problems. I think this is a huge strength because if any other teachers want to use this lesson plan they can accomodate any of their students and modify the lesson to meet their individual needs.
Some of the weaknesses in this lesson plan is in the assessment. The original assessment the teacher wants the students to identify the character type and supporting evidence about the character type. They also want the students to demonstrate in writing the character they determine to be the protagonist and the textual evidence to support it. The teacher gives an extension option to this lesson (essentially a different form of assessment)where students may write a literary analysis essay on one of the characters in the novel. The prompt asks "How does Fitzgerald use character to develop the theme of the American dream?" I think this would have been a better assessment than the original one.
In the lesson plan the teacher wants to pass out "character cards" to each group with the names of one or two minor characters from the novel on the card. You may pass out cards while students are still working on their mind maps. Make sure to choose characters who are in the first three chapters of the novel. Each group should receive different characters to analyze. I like this because even though students will be talking about minor characters, they will be able to analyze how these minor characters impacted the major characters later on in the book because they were introduced so early on.
Discussion Lesson Plan Example
Some of the strengths in this lesson plan was illustrated in the teachers assessment when the teacher planned to have students write a brief response to any one of the questions posed in the lesson; in addition, they might draw an illustration to accompany their writing. This is good because it gives students an oppritunity to choose how they will be assessed. Giving students this option lets students show their strengths in the varying learning strategies.
Some of the weaknesses in this lesson plan was that the teacher intended to print out and bring in copies of the stories that were meant to discuss in class. Yet, the teacher did not intend to read or review the story with their class to ensure that the students fully understood the fairytales so that they may efficently discuss in class.
I like this lesson plan because of the use of fairytales to discuss ethics. This is an easily relatable subject because almost every student has read some type of fairytale as a young child. This lesson plan is intended for students ranging in age anywhere from kindergarden to 8th grade. As a secondary History student I think that this lesson plan could be easily modified to highscool or college level classes.I could use this lesson plan in my classroom but just change the debate from ethics alone to how individuals ethics have changed throughout history and how this has empacted society today.