“To teach is to learn twice over.” – Joseph Joubert
”I am not a teacher, but an awakener.” – Robert Frost
On Sundays I teach a small class of twelve- and thirteen-year-old girls and have run into a problem with having group discussions. They don't know how to take turns when speaking and will speak over each other. It has blown my mind that theses sweet girls are unable to have a discussion where everyone gets to speak. Then I noticed that my own children have those same tendencies which is embarrassing for me to admit as a mother. I thought I was raising polite children. Bwahaha. The joke is on me.
Then I read this article: http://webshare.northseattle.edu/Sustainability_in_Healthcare/Discussion_as_a_Way_of_Teaching%20INC-Learning%20Circles.pdf and realized the necessity of setting ground rules for a healthy discussion and a positive experience.This article offers suggestions and guidelines to keep your discussions on track and suggests simple rules for students to remind them to be courteous to each other. When the guidelines and ideas recommended by this article are followed everyone gets involved and included in the conversation and learning process.
Then I read this article: http://webshare.northseattle.edu/Sustainability_in_Healthcare/Discussion_as_a_Way_of_Teaching%20INC-Learning%20Circles.pdf and realized the necessity of setting ground rules for a healthy discussion and a positive experience.This article offers suggestions and guidelines to keep your discussions on track and suggests simple rules for students to remind them to be courteous to each other. When the guidelines and ideas recommended by this article are followed everyone gets involved and included in the conversation and learning process.
Group discussions have been a teaching tool in
Secondary Education classrooms for years; students either hate or love these opportunities, however these discussions are an excellent
way for students to learn. Not only do they learn content but they will find
themselves teaching content and exploring new ideas with their peers, thus elevating their level of understanding. They also learn to converse peacefully amongst each other.
Next time I teach the group of young girls on Sunday, I will apply the methods suggested in this reading. It is great practice for me and getting my teaching skills moving in the right direction.
Next time I teach the group of young girls on Sunday, I will apply the methods suggested in this reading. It is great practice for me and getting my teaching skills moving in the right direction.
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