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SHARING THE CONVERSATION    

 

CONCEPTS

People play different roles within a group.
Communication is basic to successful relationships.
People want others to understand them.

 
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

Students will increase their ability to take turns speaking in a discussion group, and practice listening to others in the group.

 
MATERIALS

An old tennis ball or a larger ball with a face painted on it, preferably in indelible ink.

 
TIME

Use with any class discussion.

 
INSTRUCTIONS

Students not only learn to take turns with this technique, they also learn to participate in a discussion without a teacher's direction.

This technique can be used in any class discussion or in small group0 discussion. When the small group discussions are held simultaneously, give each group a "conversation ball."

LESSON CAPSULE

Introduce the "conversation ball." Tell the students that when the discussion starts, only the person holding the ball is allowing to speak. When that person is finished he/she may pass it to someone else who has his/her hand raised. The object of the game is to ensure that everyone who wants to speak gets a chance to do so.

Practice the technique by using a topic of your choice, or select one of the following topics:

1.  - Why should people learn to read?
- Why should people learn to do math?
- If a student wanted to raise his/her grades, what could he/she do?
- Should schools sell candy? Why? Why not?
- What is the best kind of class party?
- How can students your age earn money?
- If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? Why?
- If there weren't any schools, how would you spend your time?
- If there wasn't any television, how would you spend your time?

 

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