258: A Simple Trick for a Better Discussion

This week, I want to share a quick way to help make your next discussion better.

The next time you plan a discussion in class, start it off with this quick warm up.

Invite every student to write an open-ended question about the reading or the current book at the top of their notes. Then ask them to pass their notebook to the left and let their neighbor respond for a minute. Then have them pass again. The next neighbor reads the question, the response, and then responds to both. Maybe do it two more times. Now pass all the notebooks back.

As you begin your discussion, invite someone to ask a question they responded to to the group. They won’t be taking much of a personal risk, asking someone else’s question. And you know at least two other people have given it some thought at this point. Your class is now primed to talk about the questions on everyone’s mind, since every question on paper has already received some serious thought from several people. When discussion begins to fade on the first question, invite the next. 

I usually use warm-ups like this with a student-led discussion format called Harkness. So students know that I am not going to dive into every silence to rescue the group, and they ask the questions on their own. If you’re curious about that method, shoot me a DM on Instagram @nowsparkcreativity and I can do another show about it if you want. 

I’ve repeatedly found that 5-10 minute discussion warm-ups make all the difference in creating a richer and more active discussion, so that’s why this week I want to highly recommend that you give one a try! I’m sure you’ll think of lots more ideas once the concept of a warm-up becomes built into your routine. 

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