Children are the future of our world, and it's important to ensure that they receive the best possible upbringing and education. Group discussions related to children can cover a wide range of topics, from parenting and education to healthcare and social issues. As we delve into these discussions, we

Creepy crawly spiders! Heights! The dark! These are some common top fears to name a few, and if you're anything like me, heck, you're not too fond of any of those three. But do you know what the number one fear is? The one that outweighs all others? Glossophobia. (Cue the eery music) Dun, da, dun! Now before we get all panicked and shriek in horror, what exactly is this dreadful phobia? In layman's terms--the fear of public speaking. Even if you don't personally suffer from glossophobia, you probably have experienced some type of symptoms like a racing heart, sweaty palms, dry mouth, or some type of mild anxiety before speaking in front of others. So how do we get better at communicating in a group setting, and how do we prepare our students, even at a young age, to do this? Like other academic skills, how to participate in a discussion is something that needs to be taught explicitly. When I was early in my teaching career, whole class discussion typically consisted of me asking the questions while my students provided the answers. Sure, the questions were good, and by good, I mean the kinds of questions that were open-ended and required critical thinking. But still, I was the one that was doing all the leading. I was doing all the asking. I was doing all the steering. I was the driver if you will. Now instead imagine a classroom where the students are the ones in the driver's seat. The students are the ones asking the questions AND providing the answers. The students are the ones steering the discussion. Over my years of teaching, I have learned (and am still learning!) to "release control," and recently, I envisioned a classroom where student-led discussion was the norm. Thus, began my quest of how to make this happen. If I wanted my students to truly lead the discussion in my classroom, then I would need to give them the skills and tools to be able to do this. This is where gradual release comes into play. Gradual release is the process in which you basically pass the baton slowly from teacher to student as students gain independence with a particular skill or concept. Here's how it works. 1) You teach the skill directly. This involves direct instruction and modeling. 2) You involve students in the process while you still support. This is often referred to as guided instruction. For example, for a math lesson involving the steps of solving a story problem, you now do a few story problems "together." 3) You give students independent practice time with the skill while you provide feedback, both affirming and adjusting (i.e. "I see you drew a picture to help you solve the problem, great job choosing a strategy. Let's double check your addition in the tens place...") . 4) You wrap up the lesson by clearing up misconceptions, going over answers from independent work, and perhaps informally assessing students through say an exit ticket or cold calling with popsicle sticks. In sum, you go from "me" to "we" to "you." So I thought, why couldn't this process be used for teaching student-led discussion? Using the idea of gradual release, I broke down teaching student-led discussion into the six steps below: The outline above involves starting in baby steps. First, introduce students to discussion stems. It is best to only start with a few at a time as well as to choose more concrete stems to begin with like, "I have a question..." or "I agree/disagree with..." first. These stems give students the language they need to jump into the discussion both in the format of asking a question as well as replying with a comment or relevant thought. I have designed 16 meaningful discussion stem posters for students to refer to. The posters come in three different sizes, one perfect for hanging up on your classroom walls, one perfect to put on a ring and use for a small group, and one perfect for students to use as their individual resource. Second, have students begin with less-academic, more fun topics vs. essential questions that require critical thinking. The goal here is that students can initially focus mostly on their communication skills vs. having to delve into deep thinking. Of course, once students have had ample practice learning the process of student-led discussion, then by all means dive head first into critical thinking guided by your academic units! For teaching student-led discussion with juicy yet "easy" topics that hook students' interest, I created 20 discussion starters to use. Third, give students time to write down their thinking and plan out what they are going to say about the topic rather than making them think and speak on the spot. I created some planning templates that can be used for any topic or essential question so that they can be used for meaty academic topics too. (P.S. They are editable so that I can type in my topic or essential question and make as many copies as I need!! Whoopee!!) Fourth, set clear expectations before you start the student-led discussion such as what respectful listening looks like. Teach, model, and have students model these expectations so that you are setting students up for success. Fifth, give students a goal as to how many times to speak and over time, increase it. For example, for the very first practice, you might say something like, "Today, everyone needs to speak at least one time. You may participate by asking a question, making a comment, or responding to someone else's comment. If you want to participate more than one time in the discussion, you may." Here's a rubric that can help students self-monitor and self-evaluate their communication skills. Sixth, the very first time students practice student-led discussion, participate as the teacher as needed, calling on students who may need some encouragement. Over time, you will participate less and less until not at all! I made some recording sheets as an assessment tool to give students feedback, celebrate sutdents' successes, and support students in making growth in their communication skills. They come in different forms where I can record specific discussion stems students used or just in general whether students asked a question or made a comment. I also made them different sizes--one for whole class, one for small group. (PPS These are editable too so that student names can be typed directly on the sheet!) The key to this whole process is baby steps. You want students to feel safe, encouraged, and confident, and the way to do this is to give students the tools they need up front and then release them slowly towards independence. To see this "How to Teach Meaningful Student-Led Discussion Pack" in detail, click on the image below! With the resources in this pack, your students certainly will not suffer from glossophobia as you create a safe and welcoming environment where students lead the discussion as your norm. Now as calming other fears like spiders... Good luck! :)

Discussion Activity - What If? Speaking Activity Prompt Cards and Assignments: These discussion cards are designed to engage even the most reluctant students in active discussion and conversation in the classroom. The product provides all the necessary tools to engage students in friendly debates and discussions on "what if?" scenarios. Each of the cards presents a scenario and students must discuss how they would be affected or the pros and cons of the situation and justify their choice. This is an excellent tool to use in intermediate or higher-level ESL classes as it fosters dynamic and interactive discussions. This is included in our best-selling bell-ringer set: >>> A Year of English Bell-Ringers (Volume 2) Included in This What If Discussion Activity: ➡️ What If Prompts Teacher's Guide: The included teacher instructions will provide you with information on how you use these discussion cards in your classroom successfully! ➡️ 45 What If? Discussion Cards: Use these 45 discussion prompt cards to engage even your most reluctant students. Each of the cards presents students with a different "What if?" scenario and they must discuss the impact of the scenario and the pros and cons, justifying their thoughts. The scenarios are high-interest and will get students all your students talking! ➡️ 45 What If Presentation Slides Option: A PowerPoint option is also included with each of the prompts so you can easily share the prompt with the whole class during the discussion activity. ➡️ Student Response Pros and Cons Assignment: In this assignment, students will select a card with a "What if?" scenario and consider the pros and cons of that scenario. ➡️ Student Written Response Card: Turn the discussion prompt into a writing prompt with this half-page response card, where students can respond to one of the discussion prompt cards in writing. ➡️ Response Assignment for Any Prompt: Students can use this one-page response assignment with any of the prompts with questions that allow them to consider how their world and life would be different if the "What if?" scenario came true. ➡️ What If? Classroom Poster: Display this poster in your classroom with the main prompting questions that students can consider in their groups as they discuss the "What if?" scenario. How to Use This What If Discussion Activity: Bell-Ringers: Use these prompts as weekly bell-ringers to last you the entire school year. On a specific day, students can work in groups and spend the first 5-10 minutes of class discussing the prompt based on the prompting questions. Task Cards: Put these cards in a writing centre and have students respond using the assignments or journal card included. Narrative Assignment: Have students use these prompts to inspire narrative writing. You will be amazed by the creative stories students come up with using these prompts. What Teachers Are Saying About This What If Discussion Activity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is exactly the type of activity I've been looking for to use at the beginning of class. Super work! I appreciate you providing such awesome work that will save me hours of prep time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love using this as a bell ringer. I have adjusted some of the topics for my older students, but it keeps them engaged and writing while I take attendance and get prepared to teach. I learn a lot about my students by reading their answers! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This is great, I start all my classes with questions like this to get the kids into the mode of interacting. It's nice not to have to come up with the topic. Thank you! If you like these, you'll love this set: >>> What Would You Do? Discussion Cards © Presto Plans ➡️ Want 10 free ELA resources sent to your inbox? Click here! ⭐️ Follow Presto Plans on TpT to see what's new and on sale.

This 6 page digital download workbook provides Who, What, Where, and How Icebreaker questions to use with teenagers in therapy sessions! If you feel out of ideas and need a new activity for therapy or social work sessions, this is it! An extensive mental health resource that is sure to spark in depth and genuine conversation with teens! *This product is a digital download!* DIGITAL FILE DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS ➔ After your payment is processed, please download link will be sent directly to your email. Check your spam folder if you don't see it. ➔ Click 'DOWNLOAD' to save the files. You can print them for your use. STORE POLICY ➜ No refunds after digital purchase is complete. If you are unhappy with the product you have downloaded, please message me and I will be happy to discuss the best solution for your need. ➜ Digital files from my shop are for your personal use only. ➜ Sharing of digital files is strictly prohibited. ➜ Reselling of digital files is strictly prohibited. ➜ Colors may vary depending on your printer and ink settings.

Dialogue writing is a wonderful medium for improving the writing skills of children and sparking creativity in them. It helps kids understand how a conversation flows between people, and how to respond appropriately in various situations and express themselves, leading to improved verbal and written communication skills in children.

Get yours hands on my Dissertation Student Planner Bundle and Study Guide to strategically plan your thesis, focusing on the findings, analysis, and discussion chapters tailored for psychology and social science students. Navigate the crucial chapters of your dissertation – the Findings and Discussion – with confidence using the Dissertation Student Planner Bundle and Study Guide tailored for psychology and social science students. You've conquered the literature review, aced the methodology, and dissected your data; now, let's elevate your Findings and Discussion. This stage can be challenging, and the fatigue of months of dedicated research may loom large. Resist the temptation to rush; these chapters demand thoughtful reflection. I've graded dissertations for over 20 years, and I've seen the pitfalls. Let me guide you through, ensuring the second half of your dissertation is as stellar as the first. The 19-page PDF guide and five accompanying worksheets empower you to plan, analyze, and articulate your findings and discussion. From My Findings to a Discussion Write-Up Planner, this pack equips you for success. Embark on this journey with the assurance of a seasoned Criminology Professor. Let's shape a thesis that reflects your skills, competencies, and your best work! Message me with any questions or explore the complete dissertation bundle for a comprehensive guide. Please note that my experience primarily lies in the UK and US education systems, so always refer to your institution's specific guidelines. This Dissertation Survival Guide is part of a series, which aims to walk you through each chapter of your bachelor’s degree dissertation. The individual parts are available to buy on their own or as part of a bundle – see below for links! Part 1 – Working effectively with your supervisor https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1136951382 Part 2 – Getting organized and managing your time https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1156938683 Part 3 – Choosing a topic and developing a title and research questions https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1144463180 Part 4 – Searching the academic literature https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1162772533 Part 5 – How to do a literature review https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1171014021 Part 6 – Writing your methods chapter https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1166693904 Part 7 – The findings and discussion chapters https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1183812144 Part 8 – Finishing strong, conclusion, title, abstract, introduction https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1192420262 Bundle: Parts 1-8 https://theplanningprofessor.etsy.com/listing/1252398198 Not doing a bachelor’s degree? If you’re a master’s degree or PhD student, check out these guides, tailored specifically for graduate research: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ThePlanningProfessor?ref=seller-platform-mcnav§ion_id=44290996

Normally, teachers like to avoid off-task topics, like "would you rather" questions. But, there can be a useful time and place for these fun questions!

These writing prompts will initiate lively discussions, debate, research, and creative writing. The intended purpose is to support secondary students into thinking critically when they would prefer to resist! Have fun!

These dinner discussion questions can help you put a fun spark into your dinner conversations. No more boring silence. These prompts will promote dialog.

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Are you looking for writing topics for kids that can be used in the classroom? We have compiled a list of fun and creative writing topics for students.

Access my list of virtual reality discussion prompts you can tailor to your classroom. If your students are using headsets with Google Expeditions, or a Google Cardboard connected app, you can have students pause to talk about what they see.

My life changed after I started answering these journal prompts for mental health improvement every morning

Looking for a great warm-up or bell ringer to start each day in your Ancient World History class? This set of 75 writing prompts and discussion questions, called “Brain-Stretchers”, covers prehistory through the Renaissance. These prompts are designed to get students thinking about topics that they will be exploring in class, activating their prior knowledge, finding relevance in the past, and reflecting on what they have learned! They are truly versatile and an absolute lifesaver in the classroom! Use them to spark discussions, promote literacy, and start or end class in an engaging way. I used them at the beginning of class as writing prompts followed by a class discussion of what students wrote to accomplish all three of these goals! Each prompt is between two and five sentences long. To help students focus on the main idea of each prompt, the key question is in bold font. The questions are purely opinion based (no right or wrong answers) so they are accessible to all students. The Brain-Stretchers are presented in a single PDF document that can be used for printing or display. Your purchase comes with two versions of this PDF. They each have the same 75 prompts, but one version includes a stretching brain icon at the top corner of the page and the other does not have this icon. Use the format you feel will be more appealing to your students. Within the PDF, each prompt is displayed on a separate page (landscape orientation) and the pages are organized by unit. You can use them in this order or in whatever order best fits your curriculum. Since each prompt can be used independently, it’s easy to “skip” a Brain-Stretcher on a day when your time is cut short. I also included a guide explaining how each question relates to specific World History topics so you can easily incorporate them into your lessons. You'll also find four pages of tips and suggestions detailing how Brain-Stretchers can be used to establish an effective routine that will prove invaluable in enhancing your lessons and managing your classroom. For those of you that would like to utilize them as a written assignment, I also included a rubric to make grading simple. Even better, it is a fully editable Word document that you can easily adjust to suit your grading style and preferences. The rubric is arranged to grade ten prompts at a time. The 75 Brain-Stretchers in this set are divided as follows: • Prehistory: 4 prompts • Early Civilizations (Mesopotamia and Egypt): 5 prompts • Ancient India: 3 prompts • Ancient and Imperial China: 12 prompts • Ancient Greece: 12 prompts • Ancient Rome: 8 prompts • Byzantine Empire: 4 prompts • Islamic Civilization: 6 prompts • Africa: 3 prompts • Americas: 3 prompts • Middle Ages: 12 prompts • Renaissance: 3 prompts What Students Said About Brain-Stretchers (in an anonymous year-end survey): • "It was a good way to start off the class and get us going. It helped start discussions and get our brains going." • "I think the journals were good because they made us apply our lives into the lesson we were going to learn that specific day." • "The questions made me think and opened my brain in the morning. They gave me a better perspective when learning about certain topics." • "I liked hearing about what other people had to say and how their opinion differed from mine." • "They were a good way to get the class to start thinking about the topic we would learn in class." • "I like that we get to have a class discussion about a topic that relates to the unit we are studying. I think it is a great way to start class." • "It was a good way to voice your opinion if you were passionate about a particular brain-stretcher. Also, it was a fun open-ended thing to do in the beginning of class." Curious about why I call them “Brain-Stretchers”? I like the idea of having students warm up their minds before we fully embark on our journey through the past in much the same way that athletes would stretch their muscles before more vigorous exercise. As you can see from the positive student feedback, they are an effective way to spark interest and get students thinking! Click on the link below to check out the rest of my Etsy shop for more great teaching resources: https://www.etsy.com/shop/impossiblethingsnow/

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD 52 Social Emotional Learning Prompts for All Ages Great for journaling, discussion starters, morning meetings and more.Topics include social skills, growth mindset, confidence, self esteem, kindness and empathy.Instant access. We’ll send you the PDF and you can print out as many copies as you want!Download Now! © SEL Power Pack