After viewing the video on the topic of visual storytelling, discuss as a class the following:
- How has art and storytelling shaped who you are? Your views?
- How do different artistic and storytelling styles affect your connection to the piece?
- How can visual stories help shape our understanding of the world from issues in our community, or internationally?
- What is biodiversity? Why is it important to understand? What biodiversity can you find in your community? Where is it located?
- What big issues do you see threatening biodiversity health in your community? Can these issues be found in other places across the country? The world?
Tips for Setting up Class Discussions:
Set Up
- Inform students of the rules of a class discussion and the importance of respecting and listening to different views.
- Ensure that students know how to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.
- Outline key ideas and terms from the question to be discussed.
- Allow students a few minutes to formulate responses to the questions or ideas being discussed.
- Make sure you state to students that silence is not a bad thing. Students should become comfortable with silences in the conversation.
- Determine what physical setting works best in your space, or if an alternative setting is better to allow for more vibrant conversations.
Methods
- Have students form small groups to help brainstorm potential ideas before discussing as a class. They can record each idea and have a spokesperson present the ideas to the class for discussion.
- Instead of debating in class, create an online discussion “forum” for students to discuss on their own time (Try GoogleDocs, Yo Teach!, Kialo, Padlet, etc.).
- Distribute cue cards and have students record their ideas, then read each thought to the class and allow for students to follow up verbally.
Tips
- Allow students a few minutes to formulate or write down their responses to the questions or ideas being discussed.
- Have students try to expand on their ideas by asking for examples.
- Students should be the leaders of the conversation, the teacher is there to guide the discussion and ensure it stays on focus.
- Remind students of the initial rules if the discussion becomes heated.
- At the end of the discussion, have students help wrap up it up by restating key ideas that have come out of the conversation.
- After the conversation is over, evaluate how it went, and what could be improved on for the next time.
Resources
Discussion Method Teaching: A Practical Guide
Best Practice Strategies for Effective Use of Questions as a Teaching Tool
Prompts That Get Students to Analyze, Reflect, Relate, and Question
The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies