It’s tough to get students to participate in class discussions. It’s tough to keep track of all the tech tools I toss out in this podcast. Well in this episode, I’m determined to alleviate both of these frustrations. I’ll provide an engaging and fun class discussion tactic, which will only require great sources, provocative prompts, a stopwatch, 1 sheet of paper, and a pen or pencil.
The Agora was the square in an ancient Greek city-state. The Greeks took democracy seriously. Participation was mandatory, juries were massive, being informed was a must. The Greeks accomplished what we try to do in all of our Social Studies classes daily…foster citizenship.
I became exposed to the appointment book method of discussing at a PD session many moons ago. I was impressed, but perhaps not that impressed because I totally forgot about it. I did not invent this tactic, but like most teachers, I beg, borrow, and steal, morphing as I go. This past month, I needed a new tactic to employ in an upcoming class discussion. For some odd and welcomed reason, I remembered the PD appointment activity. Eureka…I had my idea and I called it Meet me in the Agora! It went so well that I shared it with my friend, colleague, and neighbor Mel Eckelbarger. Mel utilized my Meet me in the Agora tactic the next day and was most pleased with the results. We’ll discuss the particulars of this tactic…how to set it up, execute it, and we’ll even troubleshoot Meet me in the Agora.
Mel and I meet in the Agora
Episode Template
The Problem:
It’s difficult to secure high levels of student participation in class discussion.
The Solution:
Utilize the Meet me in the Agora tactic.
What you can do Tomorrow:
- Review the Sneetches Doc that Mel I referenced in the episode.
- Review this Google Doc which you’re free to utilize. It’ll give structure to the appointment securing free-for-all. This example was from our discussion on the Rape of Nanking.
- Assign compelling sources.
- Compose provocative prompts.
- Clear the desks out of the center of your room creating an Agora
- Indicate to students that they are not to discuss prompts in the appointment phase.
- On your signal, have students meet in the Agora and discuss the assigned prompt. Time this event and when the time is up, direct kids to return to their seats and prep for next prompt.
The Meet me in the Agora tactic is a fun, engaging, zero-tech, and highly structured method of dramatically enhancing class participation.
Listen to “101-Meet me in the Agora, the Zero Tech Road to an Epic Class Discussion…Starring Mel Eckelbarger” on Spreaker.