Discussions

The only type of discussion I see in my kindergarten class is recitation, and I really hardly ever see that. Most of the classroom instruction time I see is my MT telling students information or directions and not giving them a chance to give feedback or add on. I think in order for an “Almasi-type” discussion to happen my MT would have to set up a lot of rules and expectations because the students have never even participated in a discussion where they are called on to share ideas, let alone a discussion run mostly by them. I think most students would be worried about getting to say what they want to say and not paying attention and responding to what the other students are contributing to the discussion. I feel in this specific kindergarten class the students wouldn’t get much meaning out of this type of discussion, in a whole class setting. I think it could be done well in smaller groups, but then I think as the instructor it would be hard to facilitate that many discussions and make sure all of the 6 year-olds are staying on topic. Overall I think an “Almasi-type” discussion can be a really meaningful form of instruction I don’t think its appropriate for the kindergarten setting I am currently placed in.