This lesson was originally taught to an undergraduate class at a university. The lesson taught aspiring teachers how to use written discussion as a reading strategy. The strategy can easily be used in any subject area or grade level. A Power Point and links to resources are attached.
Title: Mini-lesson: Written Discussion
Introduction of Lesson Goal/Objective:
· Students will be able to respond to a text through written discussion by working independently & in small groups.
· Students will be able to discuss an article based off a written conversation started within a small group.
Start by asking, “Has anybody used an online
forum or message board to respond to a reading?” to link the lesson to previous
learning. Ask: “What site did you use and what were your experiences?” Have a few students share their experiences
to the class. Then, explain that an
online forum is very similar to a reading strategy called “written
discussion.” Explain that message boards
are essentially an online version of the strategy.
State that students will learn about a
reading strategy called “written discussion,” which they will use while reading
a text. Explain that written discussion is important because it allows every
student to read, write, think, and share. It improves comprehension because it
lets students react to what they have read.
Mention that it is an alternative to a whole class discussion, as it
enables all students to participate rather than a select few.
Model
the Objective: Read “Flappy Bird Will Fly Back to App Stores”
aloud. Using Microsoft Word, write a
response to the text, labeled “Student #1.”
Then, “Student #2,” will write a response to “Student #1.” Explain that
the class will be doing this activity on a regular piece of paper, which will
be passed more than once. Mention that
students will discuss the conversations aloud.
