Part 2 – Discussing What’s at the Core

Lets review !!

  • You talked about rules.
  • We made word webs about character traits.
  • We worked closely with the Student Code of Conduct Book.
  • And now you have this sheet of paper and you’re supposed to do something with it. Well, what are you supposed to do? Read on . . . .

Lets move on !!

You get to have – The Final Word


Teachers: Have the room set up in a circle. Depending on the size of your class, you may need to set up two circles: the circles can be two concentric circles where you allow one circle to discuss while the other takes notes, and then switch; OR you could have two completely separate circle (side-by-side) discussions going on at the same time. Then proceed as described below.

Students: The Final Word is a whole class or large group discussion event. In order for you to be ready to discuss the topic, you had to do your CW/HW from last night. If you did not bring your CW/HW with you, then get out some paper and take a good deal of notes. You will still be able to participate.

Let’s review!

For CW/HW last night, you were asked to look into your Student Code of Conduct Book for a phrase/passage that related to your assigned character trait and struck you. On a sheet of paper, you had to do some things with that passage:

  1. Copy the passage down word-for-word.
  2. Rewrite or sum it up to show us you know what it means.
  3. Explain how your assigned character trait is exemplified in the passage.
  4. Explain how your passage also incorporates other character traits if it does.
  5. Explain why you agree or disagree with what the passage has to say.
  6. What struck you about the phrase?

Let’s move on!

Today, we will have a class discussion surrounding passages in the Code of Student Conduct Book. The purpose of this discussion is to share our opinions about what rules we live by, to discuss our opinions of them, and to reach some kind of deeper understanding of why we have rules in the first place.

Here’s how the activity, The Final Word works. In ideal circumstances, this event requires moderately sized (8-12 people) discussion groups. We will not be operating in ideal conditions. Each group member must come prepared with their CW/HW from the night before.

NOTES to the teacher: The CW/HW that was completed PREVIOUSLY is a discussion starter. The discussion is about the topic on the sheet of paper. It is NOT about THE PARTICIPANT WHO BROUGHT THE PAPER. NAMEPLATES made of construction paper are very helpful – students are required to use each other’s names.  Also, I’ve found it’s best to “show” rather than “tell” about the process you are about to read about. So, participation by YOU is essential. Just get the cycle going, and it will take care of itself.

Only one participant may speak at a time. Students MUST keep notes on ideas they want to respond to (Grade). Notes should have Idea/Topic and the name of the person who said it, Students are encouraged to address each other by referring to each other’s names and Ideas/Topics. Here’s the process . . .

ROUND 1

  1. First, Student A: Beginning anywhere on the circle, Student A shares the information s/he gathered:
    • passage,
    • meaning,
    • connection to trait(s),
    • agreement or disagreement & why.
  2. Student B: Proceeding around the circle to the next person, Student B responds to what Student A shared with the discussion group.
  3. Student C: And so on, Student C may comment or respond to anything Student A or B shared.
  4. Student D: And so forth, Student D may comment on anything shared by anyone who spoke prior.
  5. This process continues all the way around the circle until everyone has had a chance to speak.
  6. Finally, Student A – after hearing everything that the group said – has the opportunity to get the final word on the topic s/he brought to the group.

ROUND 2 through ?

  1. Student B now shares the information s/he gathered: passage, meaning, connection to trait(s), agreement or disagreement & why.
  2. Student C: Proceeding around the circle to the next person, Student C responds to what Student B shared with the discussion group.
  3. Student D: And so on, Student C may comment or respond to anything Student A or B shared.
  4. Student E: And so forth, Student D may comment on anything shared by anyone who spoke prior.
  5. This process continues all the way around the circle until everyone has had a chance to speak. Ending with Student A in this round. OK?
  6. FINALLY, Student B – after hearing everything that the group said – has the opportunity to get the final word on the topic s/he brought to the group.

This process continues until each participant has had the opportunity to start a discussion and get the final word. This could take the entire Block or Period and then some.



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