Seed discussion
The method provides a help for students to hold their own discussions when reading text/reviewing course material or lecture notes.
How does it work?
- Divide the students in groups of four. Each student reads through the text and marks one important thing ("seed") they want to discuss further with a sticky note. Begin the discussion by introducing one seed. Have all other students say something about the seed before the next seed is introduced.
- Beforehand within groups: Define what may constitute a seed (for instance, information you don't understand; things that seem interesting or surprising; topics you want to know more about; things that remind me of other things I know; etc.
- Provide roles to each group member:
- Leader - responsible for calling on each person to share their discussion seed
- Manager - makes sure everybody has material for the discussion (books, notes, sticky notes)
- Checker - makes sure everybody in the group comments on each seed
- Communicator - lets the SI-PASS Leader know when the discussion is complete.
References and Further Reading:
- S Vallaume, , T Worden, S Williams, L Hopkins & C Rosenblatt (1994). Five teachers in search of a discussion. The Reading Teacher, 47, 480-487
- Santa C.M., Havens, L.T. & Valdes B.J., (2004). Project Criss - Creating Independence through Student-owned Strategies. Helping teachers teach and learners learn. Third Edition. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. Dubuque, Iowa