What Makes a Good Discussion

1
What Makes a Good Discussion

• in a Grand Conversation?

2
Empathetic Listening

• Give your complete attention to whoever is
  speaking in your group, showing that you value
  his or her contribution
• Use positive body language
• Make eye contact

3
Informational Listening

• Listen for the content of what the speaker is
  saying

4
Responding to Group Members

• Expand on the speakers ideas by sharing your
  thoughts and feelings about what he or she said
• I hear what you are saying and I think
• What you said makes me think about
• I agree with you about
• Ive never thought about it that way before

5
Clarifying

• Ask questions to understand each others ideas
  better
• Tell me more about. . .
• What do you mean. . .?
• Why do you think. . .?

6
Sharing ideas and giving reasons for your
opinions

• I think . . . is a good example of figurative
  language because. . .
• I wonder how the relationship between these two
  characters would have changed if they had . . .
• I was surprised that the plot changed course
  because I was expecting . . .
• This part reminds me of . . . because . . .

7
Sharing Ideas and Giving Opinions

• I wonder why the author keeps on repeating this
  word . . .
• I like this section of writing because . . .
• I noticed. . . because . . .
• I wish . . . because . . .
• I think this story is really about . . .
• because . . .

8
Self-reflection

• Consider what you have done well, and make
  decisions about what needs to be improved
• Set goals for the future