Sunday, February 12, 2012
Discussions in the Classroom
In terms of discussion there is not one type that works best for all students. This means it is important for the teacher to make sure they are changing the type of discussion to best suit the students. In my current placement I have been seeing a lot of reciting. The discussions that take place involve the teacher asking a question and waiting for the response or answer from the students. There is not a framework for classroom discussion in any manner. The students do not know how to participate in any other type of discussion because they have been exposed to only reciting. In the class I see a lot of my MT asking questions regarding literature and the students answer and they move on. We do not have in depth conversations that I think my second and third grade students are capable of having. In order to have an "Almasi-type" discussion my MT would have to establish a set of rules to promote a structure. The students may also need to be scaffolded to correctly participate in another type of discussion. My students are very creative and have a lot to offer in terms of opinions and views. I think my students would have an easy time being able to speak up and say their piece. They are not shy students and I think that they have a lot to offer each other. However, I think that my students would have a difficult time being able to practice self control and listening to each other. They are a hyper active group of students and I think may not be able to listen to each other without talking over one another. I think that my students would benefit greatly from having an "Almasi-type" discussion. They would learn more about each other and how to have respect for each other's opinions.
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I think you brought up a good point that not one type of discussion works best for all students, and that it is important to incorporate different types of discussions into a classroom. Recitation is all that I see in my kindergarten class in terms of discussion as well, but I have noticed that the children are still benefiting from this type of learning, even when they aren't getting to express all of their ideas. Have you noticed a similar thing in your class, or do you think their learning is hindered from simply recitation? It sounds like your students are all interested in speaking their mind, which is a good thing for you in terms of giving your discussion lesson. How do you think you will handle the discussion if the students start talking over each other or have difficulty building off of each others ideas?
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