Panel Discussion

Instead of completing a written test, you will be participating in a panel discussion. A

panel discussion is when a group of experts on a topic get together and have a discussion in
front of an audience. Each of you will be responsible for 2 things:
1. Be an expert on the panel. There will be 5 students on the panel at one time. These
students will be responsible for answering questions from the audience. Each student on
the panel must answer at least 2 questions.
2. Participate in the audience by asking questions. Each student will have to write 5
questions to turn in to me as part of the test. Each student will be responsible for asking 2
of their questions when they are in the audience.
When you are writing your questions, dont ask questions that have a one-word or one-
sentence answers. Instead, ask questions that make you think. Look at your comprehension
questions for some ideas, or think about these examples:
Can you compare 2 characters? (Maybe one from the story and one from the movie!)
Explain a theme of Karate or The Karate Kid
Compare the themes of Karate and The Karate Kid
How did a character change throughout the story/movie?
How did two characters relationship change over the course of the movie?
A good way to review might be to write out answers to your own questions! Turn in the
answers to your own questions for a possible 2 points extra credit!
You will be grade on your level of participation, the thoughtfulness of your questions, and the
thoughtfulness of your answers. During the panel discussions, I will keep track of exactly how
many questions each student asks and answers. The rubric below will be used to give grades.
 0 Points 1 Point 2 Points 3 Points 4 Points
Questions Student does not turn Students write Student writes Students writes Student writes and
number written in any questions. and turn in only 1 and turns in 2-3 and turns in 4 turns in 5
question. questions. questions. questions.
Questions Student does not turn A question or two 2-4 of the Each question is Each question is
quality in any questions, or might be questions are thoughtful, and thoughtful, and
all of the students thoughtful, but thoughtful, and makes the panelist makes the panelist
questions have one- they are generally make the panelist think before think before
word answers. very simple. think before answering it. Each answering it. Each
Questions answering it. question needs question needs
generally only Questions more than a few more than a few
need a few words generally need words or a few words or a few
or a few more than a few sentences to sentences to
sentences to words or a few answer it. answer it.
answer them. sentences to
answer them, but
not all of them
do.
Questions Student does not ask Student asks the Student asks the
number asked the panel any panel 1 question panel 2 or more
questions while they while they are an questions while
are an audience audience member. they are an
member. audience member.
Panel Student does not Student answer 1 Student answers 2
Discussion answer any questions question while or more questions
number of while they are a they are a while they are a
questions panelist. panelist. panelist.
answered
Panel Student does not Most of what the Student includes Student is Everything the
Discussion answer any questions student says does relevant and extremely student says during
quality of during the panel not have to do accurate consistent in the discussion was
questions discussion. with the information about including relevant extremely relevant
answered discussion, or is half the time, and accurate and accurate. The
not accurate to often going on information, even student takes time
the story/movie. tangents or if there are a few to fully explain
If the student remembering the mistakes. The their answers.
does answer a story/movie student takes time Student uses
question, they do wrong. Student to fully explain details and
not explain it or might explain their answers, but examples from the
give details from their answers a could use more story or movie to
the story or little, but mostly details and support their
movie. gives short or examples from the answer.
incomplete story or movie.
answers. Student
provides little to
no details from
the story or
movie.