Discussion Strategies in Practice

This week, I’ve written a pair of lessons that weave together The Help, The Crucible, and To Kill a Mockingbird. We’re looking at literary terms through the ways in which the author employs the devices to achieve a certain effect. We explore the themes of truth, the “lines” between different segments of society, and how we can determine whether or not to believe someone.

We’ll explore the following essential questions:

            Lesson I

·      How do the novels and play we’re using demonstrate what these terms look like?

·      How is the basic use of literary devices established in the text?

·      Do literary devices impact the way we react to the content of a novel or play? Why or why not?

·      How are each of these works connected with each other?

·      Why are we looking at these particular themes in relation to literature, and how are they relevant to our current world?

As part of the first lesson, I’ll ask the students the following “thunk” as a discussion technique: Do “the lines” exist when two people interact if one of them believes in “the lines” and the other doesn’t?

Lesson II

·      Who is the most truthful person you know? Why?

·      What makes a person truthful?

·      Is being truthful the same as being believable? Why or why not?

·      Why do we choose to believe some people but not others?

·      What is truth?

·      How do we know what is true and what isn’t true?

·      Why do we listen to and believe people like Hilly Holbrook and Abigail Williams? Do we believe people like Bob and Mayella Ewell? Is there a difference between these sets of characters? Why or why not?

During the second lesson, we’ll play Two Truths and a Lie, first with a pair of students volunteering to demonstrate how it works to the class. Then, we’ll break into smaller groups for students to prepare their statements. Once statements are prepared, each group will present their statements to the rest of the class, who will then decide which are true and which are not. (If each text has more than one group, students will only judge the texts that they did not prepare.)

I’ve attached each lesson plan below, as they are far too unwieldy for a blog post. Enjoy!

Discussion Strategies Part I

Discussion Strategies Part II