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What
is Reflective Discussion ?
Reflective
discussions encourage students to think and talk about what they
have observed, heard or read. The teacher or student initiates the
discussion by asking a question that requires students to reflect
upon and interpret films, experiences, read or recorded stories,
or illustrations. As students question and recreate information
and events in a film or story, they clarify their thoughts and feelings.
The questions posed should encourage students to relate story content
to life experiences and to other stories. These questions will elicit
personal interpretations and feelings. Interpretations will vary,
but such variances demonstrate that differences of opinion are valuable.
What
is its purpose?
- to
use questions to stimulate reflection and extend comprehension
- to
challenge students' thinking by inviting them to interpret, infer,
summarize, form conclusions and evaluate selections
- to
extend personal responses by considering the views of others
- to
share personal thoughts, feelings and images evoked by literature
selections, films, illustrations and experiences
How
do I do it?
-
Pose a question to initiate discussion.
- This
question should be an inferential or open-ended question to which
there is no single correct answer.
- This
question should require students to make an inference or assumption,
or to interpret what they have observed, heard or read.
- The
first question should reveal students' understanding of the main
theme, message or purpose of the selection.
- Additional
questions posed by teacher and students should serve to clarify
and extend personal interpretations.
- Discussions
should encourage students to relate events and characters to other
selections and to life experiences.
- Resulting
questions, concerns or issues may be resolved by rereading passages
or viewing films a second time.
How
can I adapt it?
- Students
could initiate discussions about resources in all subject areas.
- Reflective
discussions can be incorporated into the following strategies:
- Book
talks
- Conferencing
- Co-operative
learning
- Literature
study
- Reading
logs
Assessment
and Evaluation Considerations
- Monitor
students' interest and participation in sharing interpretations
and responses.
- Note
students' ability to orally express their thoughts, feelings and
understandings.
- Note
students who pose questions to clarify their understandings.
- Observe
students' ability to listen to and respect the views and opinions
of others.
Teacher
Resources
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