As students enter the room, each set has a white envelope on it, filled with five cards of all different colors. During the discussion, students must play each card once but can play the question card multiple times after using all other cards.
Red Card = I think
Blue Card = I know (because)
Yellow Card = Pose a question
Green Card = I feel
Orange Card = Connect (to yourself, to the world, to another text/idea/subject)
Each card is worth a point (if graded).
Center the game on a concept, etc., making sure students are engaged with that content so they can respond to the topic. You know those students who just don’t talk much? This game models the many ways they may be able to contribute to a discussion.
Ok, now to add the technology! Have the students respond to an online platform instead (Canvas discussion, https://yoteachapp.com/, Flipgrid, Seesaw, etc.). I am not against a good face-to-face discussion, but it is always nice to mix it up!
Derived from The PBL Playbook (2018) by A.J. Juliani
Spider Web Discussion
The Spider Web Discussion is adapted from the Socratic Seminar Discussion. The teacher is a silent observer and recorder of what he/she sees students saying and doing during the discussion. Students openly discuss a topic for about 20 minutes in groups of 5-25 people. They are able to approach a topic critically, to build on ideas and to push each other to new and better understandings. Other students in the class observe while the speaking group makes meaning of a particular learning concept. Click HERE to watch a video which outlines the process. Look HERE for a Spider Web Discussion Rubric.
Derived from Alexis Wiggin’ book, The Best Class You Never Taught (2017).