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Description:
Philosophical Chairs involves the entire class
in a discussion activity that employs a controversial
prompt with a pro-con response. Desks are arranged
facing each other with a few seats in the back
of the class for neutral ground and observers.
A controversial topic is introduced which is relevant
to the curriculum or is suggested by a piece of
literature or historical document. If the class
is unevenly split on the topic, then modify it
to get a more even distribution. It’s best
if students can participate in this refinement.
Alternate Selection Method:
Simply assign half the class to the pro side and
half to the con side.
Switching:
If a student should change her mind during the
course of the discussion, she is encouraged to
move to the other side or the neutral ground.
During a time-out, the teacher/moderator calls
on those students who have changed their opinions
to give reasons for changing sides.
Neutral Ground:
Those students who do not want to participate
or who are undecided go to neutral ground (seats
at the back of the room). They have three tasks:
- Keep
a log of the speakers and which were most
effective and WHY. Differentiate between what
the speaker said (content) and how the speaker
said it (delivery.) At the end of the discussion
they must state who the most effective speakers
were and tell why.
- Act
as timers, check off who has spoken, and keep
the rules.
- At
the end of the discussion, those in neutral
ground must pick a side and tell why they
chose that side.
Discussion Rules:
-
After a student speaks, she must wait until
two students on her side have spoken before
speaking again. (so the two severely gifted
kids don’t have a dialogue.)
- A
student must briefly summarize the previous
speaker’s points to that speaker’s
satisfaction before he begins his own comments.
(teachers can invoke or revoke this as the
process evolves.)
- The
teacher can call “time-out” periodically,
to clarify, reflect on the process or content,
or refocus.
- Everyone
needs to speak at least once during the discussion.
- Attack
the ideas, not the person.
- Think
before you speak. Organize your thoughts (I
have three points; first…)
-
One speaker at a time; others are listeners.
(participant note-taking can reinforce this
rule.)
Benefits:
- Reinforce,
strengthen, and identify oral communication
skills: speaking, listening, responding, organizing,
collaborating, etc.
- Reinforce,
strengthen, and identify higher level of thinking
skills: understanding, utilization, analysis,
synthesis, judgment, etc.
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