Leading Discussions


During a discussion, invite students to raise
questions about the topic to deepen the inquiry
and their creative engagement with it.

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During discussions, think of questions as the seeds of change.
What changes will your questions grow?

. . . .

Ask questions that cultivate new pathways
instead of deepening well-trodden ones.

. . . .

When you ask a simple "yes/no" question,
your students will give a simple "yes/no" answer.
Give their minds something more challenging to do
by asking how, when, where, and why questions.

. . . .

What if listening deeply to your students during
discussions was as necessary as a morning caffeine jolt.

. . . .

"Use props or demonstrations in class this
week to stimulate discussions and learning.
How will it change the tone of the class?
How will it change your attitude?"

. . . .

When quiet students aren't speaking up,
assume that their minds are having meaningful
conversations about your discussion topic.

. . . .

When students can't stop talking during a discussion,
be infected by their enthusiasm and then
create some excitement of your own.

. . . .

Contemplation is incubation.
Give your students quiet time to reflect on issues.
Reflection will nurture understanding, novel
questions, and new discoveries.

. . . .

How can you make students comfortable
challenging your ideas? How can you become
comfortable receiving those challenges?

. . . .

When you ask your mind to be wise while teaching
or while leading a discussion, it will gladly
give you the gift of wisdom.

. . . .

Explore wisdom with your students.
How do they experience it? When do they use it?
When are they unwise? Make questions about
wisdom a part of your teaching.

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