Carrie Griffin

UNIT: Alternative Teaching Methods

LESSON: Discussion
DATE: March 31, 2015
TIME LENGTH: 17 mins

LESSON FOUNDATION
InTASC STANDARDS:
1. 4: Content Knowledge
2. 5: Application of Content
3. 8: Instructional Strategies
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
1. Given the purposes of discussion (slide 3) students will be able to choose at least three
examples that would satisfy discussion lessons.
2. Given slides 4-8 about Discussion lessons, students will identify (name) the four
discussion characteristics and will also give at least one example of each with no error.
3. Given the question guide, students will be able to discuss in the group questions on the
sheet and be able to answer with at least two examples for each.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS (Include three high level questions):
1. When in your classroom would you plan to use discussion? Give at least two examples
and be specific.
2. In your classes whether in school or in college which have you found to be the most
useful: full class discussion or small group? Why?
3. Which of these roles do you think the teacher would be acting in when breaking the class
up into small groups? Why?

4. What do you think is the most important part of discussions in the classroom? Do you
feel that they have use in any grade level? Why?
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS (Include at least two):
1. Observe student participation with the discussion circle worksheet. If students feel
unwilling to share information try to give examples that could be used in the classroom.
2. Ask fourth Essential Question. See if students are able to answer this question. If students
have difficulty with question explain question in a different way.

LESSON TYPE: (Pedagogy): Presentation

LESSON BODY
I.

Lesson Introduction (3 mins)

A. Motivational Device: To begin lesson ask students for a couple examples of
discussions that worked in their time at school.
B. Give each student a PowerPoint handout and Discussion Question sheet.
1. Have them look over the questions before the start of the lesson.
2. Tell them that this going to be part of the activity later.

II.

Lesson Outline (Teaching Procedures Explained; Pedagogy) (12 mins)

A. Start lesson using Slide 2 from PowerPoint
1. Explain the definition of discussion.
2. Also explain what a discussion is not.
B. Then we will discuss Slide 3 which shows the Purposes of Discussion
1. After explaining the purposes of using Discussion in the classroom I will ask the
students to answer the Essential Question.
2. Will then discuss how the Essential Questions fits in with the purposes.
C. Slides 4-8 The Characteristics of Discussion (touching upon Objective #1)

1. As explaining each characteristic ask students to give examples of each

throughout.
2. On slide 6, ask the essential question to start discussion, to get students more
involved in this part.
3. On slide 8, this question will be used for discussion of the role of the teacher.
4. Explain the importance of the teacher duties during a discussion.
D. On slide 9 discuss the preparation needed for a discussion
1. Show the importance of knowing these things before a discussion.
2. Give them examples of how this preparation may occur.
E. Discuss slides 10 and 11
1. Identify the ways to close a discussion
2. Have students answer Essential question 4.
F. Guided Practice: Have students look at worksheet again
1. Have them pick one question to answer. Give two examples of one.
2. They can write notes if they want to.
3. Then have them volunteer to answer Question one and then two.
G. Independent Practice: Homework
III.

Lesson Summary (includes closure) (2 mins)

A. Ask a student give an example of how the discussion circle could be used in their own
classroom.
B. See if students have any questions about the overall lesson.
C. Closure: Ask each student to give a fact about the overall lesson and how this fact
about discussion lessons could be used within a lesson. Have detailed examples from
the classroom.

LESSON ESSENTIALS
DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING ACTIVITIES (Include at least three):
1. Tier 1: Basic students will be provided all questions that I would want them to discuss in
the discussion circle. I will also try to give this group guided help to make sure that they are on
task during the whole discussion.
2. Tier 2: On level students will be given four discussion questions to guide their discussion
but will have to come up with at least four more for their group discussion. While walking
around between groups I will makes sure that they are staying on task with their discussion.
3. Tier 3: Advanced students will be given two discussion questions to help guide their
discussion but they will have to each come up with at least three or more of their own.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Materials: seven question sheets, seven PowerPoint handouts, and seven lesson plans
2. Technology: Laptop, PowerPoint
3. Resources: Cruickshank, D. R., Jenkins, D.B., & Metcalf, K. K. (2012). The Act of
Teaching (6th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill
HOMEWORK: Come up with more ideas for discussions that you could use in your classroom
in the future. Make a foldable about the Discussion learning method.
REFLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
1. Were the students cooperation and interest evident during the lesson when learning about
the key concepts of Discussion lessons?
2. Did all students participate in the essential questions throughout the lesson, and was there
enough time given for full participation?

3. Was their enough time given for the Discussion circle at the end so the students can see a
different way of using discussion in the classroom?