Discussion Journal (9/3/14)• “Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is an

exchange of ignorance.” ~ Robert Quillen• “In any war, the first casualty is common sense, and the

second is free and open discussion.” ~ James Reston• “Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, or morbid minds;

enthusiasm of the free and buoyant education and free discussion are the antidotes of both.” ~ Thomas Jefferson

• “Anyone who in discussion relies upon authority uses, not his understanding, but rather his memory.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

• “If we had more time for discussion, we should probably have made a great many more mistakes.” ~ Leon Trotsky

• “Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only effective if you can stop people talking.” ~ Clement Attlee

• Use the above quotations, examples from literature or popular culture, and your own experiences and ideas to write a paragraph definition of the word discussion.

** Be sure to include an introduction, thesis statement, and conclusion. **

Seminar Packet• Need to complete all 4

parts of the packet in order to receive full credit

• Part B– Requires a minimum of

fifteen items in the double column chart

• Part D– Additional article

information must be at least three items on the double column chart

• Must be submitted prior to seminar discussion in order to PARTICIPATE

• Will lose 70 points towards a test grade if not completed

Sample Double Column Chart

Article Title, Page/Paragraph #

Quotation & Explanation

“Safeguard Your Reputation While Socially Networking” page 1 ; par. 3

“Turning traditionally private pursuits into public events often comes back to haunt online revelers.”--- something that would normally be private shouldn’t be shared with the world--- can cause you problems later if you do share

Socratic Seminar• Based on Socrates’ theory that

thinking is more important than memorizing “right” answers

• Allows students to examine a common text and respond to open-ended questions

• Based on discussion and not debate– Dialogue is exploratory and

involves the suspension of biases and prejudices.

– Debate is a transfer of information designed to win an argument and bring closure.

• In our class –– Has an inner and an outer circle

Seating Arrangements

What To Do• Inner Circle

– Participate in the discussion

– Be polite and kind to your classmates

– Listen to what others have to say

– Refer to the text – Add thoughtful, insightful

questions into the conversation

– Take turns participating– Speak loud enough for

everyone to hear you– Look at each other in the

eye– Use names when

responding to another’s ideas

• Outer Circle– Remain silent– Write notes about

anything you wanted to contribute but were not able to

– Listen to what others have to say

– Take notes on your classmates thoughts/ideas

What Not To Do• Inner Circle

– Yell or be rude to someone that is talking

– Attempt to make a point about something you know nothing about

– Overpower the conversation

– Raise your hand– Talk to the teacher

instead of classmates– Ignore a classmate’s

hitchhike*

• Outer Circle– Participate in the

discussion– Text or Use Cell

Phone– Work on homework

for another class– Pass notes to others

sitting in the outer circle

– Zone out instead of paying attention

A “Hitchhike”• The only way to

“jump” into the conversation while in the inner circle

• Does not allow you to stop the classmate that is currently talking; means that you will go NEXT

• Can only be used ONCE during the discussion

A “Tag Team”• The only way to “jump”

into the conversation while in the outer circle

• Allows you to switch spots with someone on the inner circle if they are willing

• Does not allow you to stop the classmate that is currently speaking

• Can only be used ONCE during the discussion

The Facilitator’s Role• Ask initial questions; throw in new

questions when conversation stalls• Monitor student conduct• Record points for QUALITY of

comments contributed to the discussion

• Refrain from commenting on the discussion

Scoring• 4 points –

contribution introduced an interesting, relevant question (not from original list) that was responded to by several others

• 3 points - contribution included reference to specific text and an interpretation of how it added to the novel

• 2 points – contribution did not include textual reference but was still well-thought out and relevant

• 1 point – contribution was basic but relevant

• 0 points – contribution was a re-wording of a classmate’s response and/or irrelevant

Post-Discussion Assignment

• A newspaper article that includes:– At least FIVE comments from

classmates that were made during the discussion; quotations should be properly integrated

– A description of the event that includes the 5 W’s and H

– A description of the novel – Any thoughts/feelings that

you were unable to reveal during the course of the discussion

– A headline– An image that corresponds

with the article

• Submit your notes from when you were in the outer circle

• Should be typed• Should be

submitted through the online dropbox in Gaggle

• Should be at least 750 words

Grading

• Seminar Prep – 30 points

• Discussion Participation – up to 40 points

• Newspaper Article – up to 30 points

This assignment will count as a TEST grade!

Your Classmates• Jeffrey Aguilera• Ixshel Alonso• Walter Berduo• Jalisa Brown• Kenneth Carter• Maurice Elmore• Jesus Galeana-Medina• Adorable Gant• Juan Garcia Cruz• Sarah Ha• Alexis Jeffers• Gabriel Lara

• Marquis Love• Victoria Love• Betsy Luna• Evelin Melchor Basurto• Tione Poteat • Lino Ramirez• Ammanda Robinson• Rogelio Rodriguez• Truvera Stanfield• Daisy Vazquez• William Wade• Christopher Watson