Blog Post 2

Blog Post 2

I have read Brookfield’s “Discussion as a Way of Teaching” previously in another classroom, however; every time I read this article something new sticks out to me and I am never disappointed with how much I continue to learn from this passage. 
While reading this article again, one page specifically really caught my attention. I really appreciate the advice that page 7 has to offer about ‘Conversational Moves’. I am a leader in the Youth Group Ministry at my Church. I have the pleasure of leading and discipling kids from the ages of 6th grade to 12th grade. This volunteering opportunity provides an atmosphere that allows me to practice these discussion techniques. Every two weeks I get to lead a “Devotional Group” where I get to plan a small 1-hour lesson and lead a discussion group with all of the Middle School girls. After reading this article for the first time a year and a half ago, I felt like I could apply most of this article to my current classes I was attending. But re-reading this and now having even more of a platform to display these techniques, I can really see how helpful, useful, and practical these methods are. Not to mention how successful these tips really are. I used the information on page seven for my last group, and it was a total success. Needless to say, if these tips were successful with a group of 15 middle-school girls, they will probably be successful with just about anyone. 
As a leader in a discussion group, asking questions during the discussion shows the members that you are paying attention and care about what they have to say. This adds confidence and trust into the discussion group as a whole, as well as sympathy and kindness. Taking the time to care and listen can go a long way, especially with kids/students. This small act can be exactly what someone may need to encourage them enough to share. 
Another point that this article makes that I couldn’t agree with more would be the fact that everything in the group needs to be constructive and comfortable. In order for the discussion group to be successful more than just once, it is important to remember that students will shut down and put up walls as soon as they feel judged or disagreed with. Once they get “shut-down” by another member of the group, they themselves will shut down and opt out of being an active member of the discussion group. 
        Overall, this article is incredibly helpful and I believe that all teachers (and soon to be teachers) should have this document (or something similar) as a tool in their tool belt. This article is very helpful and encouraging for classroom atmospheres of all kinds and designed for all sorts of scenarios. 

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