Four Kinds of approaches to discussion:
- Responding to a problem.
- Responding to an observation.
- Responding to a narrative.
- Reflecting on classroom activities.
One approach that would work best for the topic of homelessness would be responding to an observation. This could be done my presenting a group of people with a picture of a family at a food pantry, then ask: Where do you think this family is and why do you think they are here? This would be a good way to start the discussion because people usually have the wrong ideas about why people are homeless and have stereotypes of people who are homeless.
- Use a combination of group and whole-class discussions, even on one topic. As an example, provide the stimulus, put the students in groups, and then debrief through a whole-class discussion.
- The focus is not on what you will say, but on how you will respond to students’ propositions and questions.
- If a class discussion is not going well because of lack of energy or enthusiasm, stop and discuss the situation with the students.
- Instead of responding, ask another student what he or she thinks.
The four questions asked:
- Do you think it’s their own fault that they are here? Or do you think there is another reason?
- Do you feel as if the parents should be able to provide for their own family? Or do you think there is something beyond their control which is affecting them being able to afford food?
- Do you feel bad for these people? If so why or why not?
- If you saw a family like this on the streets would you help them?
How it will be done:The best practices listed above could be incorporated in the discussion on the four questions. First the questions, along with the picture, will be presented to students in small groups. While this is going on the teacher should walk around and make sure the discussion is going well, if not the teacher should stop and discuss with students. But while discussing with students the teacher should try to get the students to express their own ideas and options, this could be done by the teacher asking what they think instead of responding. When the class is ready each group will present their ideas, findings, and questions for the class. The teacher should respond by respecting the students positions and questions.
Service Learning
For our service learning project we are doing it at My Brothers Table. As a group we all have to figure out a night that works best for everyone to go serve dinner. And as individuals we have to sign up for the walk which is on October 23rd.
I chose this photo to add to our blog because it signifies one of the problems I see with our society. The people in the line are waiting for food, standing in front of a sign that says "There's no way like the American Way". I took that as, "you're not American because you can't afford your own food"... there are a lot of people that think that way, and it's sad.
