Discussion Leader Instructions:
On the day you are Discussion Leader, you should make sure
that you cover all the ground listed below. You may cover more than one
item at a time, and these things don't necessarily have to be done in order.
- Make sure you know the passage well enough to be able to
summarize it or any part of it. Ask if anyone has any questions about
it or had trouble understanding any part of it.
- Point to the thesis statement if there is one (show us
the paragraph/sentence itself). If it is not written out, explain what
you see the main point of the passage to be.
- Get folks writing for a minute--ask us to answer a
question about the reading or give some examples in writing. This can
be done individually or in groups; the point is to get people's minds back
on the reading so that we're ready to talk about it.
- At some point, you need to bring up five questions or
comments that help to spark discussion. Don't ask yes or no questions,
such as, "do you agree with Lakoff and Johnson?" Ask us why we agree
or disagree, what examples we can bring in from our own life to prove or
disprove the claim of the writer(s).
- Be able to point to specific passages as you ask
questions and/or make comments that get us talking.
- Make sure you link the reading back to the major unit
we're covering at the time (Education, Nature, etc.)