What's My Line:
Students are put into teams. Each student will get an opportunity to
be the "mystery guest," or assume the role of a historical character.
The other team(s) get a predetermined amount of time to figure out
who it is using only yes or no questions.
An issue is selected that has two or more sides and students are
grouped according to the number of positions there are. Each group
has to come up with an argument to support its side. The main groups
may be divided into subgroups. One student can start the debate and
present ONE argument for his/her position. Next, a counter-argument
is allowed from the other groups and discussion should move quickly
between groups. A variation of this would be to have the students of
different group's pair up and just argue with each other.
In the News:
Students are asked to bring to class articles, news items, editorials
and cartoons related to a topic being presented in class. The
teacher may even request certain kinds of articles. The class is
divided and asked to share their items with each other and to choose
the two or three most interesting. Representatives of each group
will share their choices with the rest. Teacher can address
important points brought up. Variations would be to copy all items
then hand them back out as reading assignments or use them as the
basis for role-plays.
Circle the Wagons (3X):
A portion of the class will form a discussion circle with the
remainder of the class forming a listening circle around the outside
of them. Three questions (preferably interrelated) are developed by
the teacher. Students are in three groups with two of the groups
forming the listening circle. The first question is asked and only
the students in the discussion circle may answer and discus. After
roughly ten minutes switch groups giving the new discussion group
time to add to the comments on question one and them pose question
two. Switch again for third group.
The Power of Two:
Students are given questions that require reflection and thinking and
asked to answer them individually. Then they are put into pairs and