You\u2019re a conscientious homeschooling mom.\u00a0 You\u2019ve worked faithfully through the textbooks, the assigned reading, the special projects.\u00a0 And now, at the end of lesson five, you come to a roadblock.\u00a0 \u201cDiscuss as a Class.\u201d<\/p>\n

Help!<\/p>\n

It isn\u2019t the topic.\u00a0 The topic is perfect.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t the class \u2026 exactly.\u00a0 You have a really good class, that has\u00a0been excited and engaged every day.\u00a0 But how, how, how,<\/em> are you going to have a classroom discussion with your grand total of one student?<\/em><\/p>\n

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Class discussions, by their very nature, need some adapting to be used in a homeschool setting.\u00a0 The great thing is that as a mom, as well as a teacher, you have a wonderful opportunity to personalize these seemingly-awkward assignments to fit your student\u2019s needs, your own needs, and the needs of your homeschool as a whole.<\/p>\n

What Is The Aim Of Class Discussions?<\/strong><\/h4>\n

As I sat down to think about this post, this question occurred to me.\u00a0 If we can pinpoint the aim of a class discussion, we can begin looking at ways to reach that aim in a slightly different way.<\/p>\n

The aim of a class discussion is probably twofold.\u00a0 In the first place, it helps students think about<\/em><\/strong> their topic.\u00a0 Textbook material can feel distant from everyday life.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to study a subject without really internalizing it or considering its application personally.\u00a0 Classroom discussions help students to think about and form an opinion on their topic.<\/p>\n

In the second place, they allow students to learn to discuss courteously and convincingly.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 People in a room will have different viewpoints.\u00a0 On some issues, it is good for children to learn to consider another person\u2019s opinion.\u00a0 As a simple example, some people set their tables with all of the silverware on the same side of the plate.\u00a0 Others put the fork on the left, and the knife and spoon on the right.\u00a0 There is no morally correct viewpoint here, they are just two ways of doing the same task.<\/p>\n

On the flip side, there are other issues in which we don\u2019t<\/em> want an open mind.\u00a0 If our classroom discussion is about honesty, we would be compromising to say that everyone\u2019s viewpoint is right.\u00a0 The Bible teaches clearly that dishonesty is sin.\u00a0 (2 Corinthians 4:2)<\/p>\n

But in either case, class discussions can allow students to gain skill in listening graciously, and supporting their own point clearly and compellingly.<\/p>\n

So, with these aims in mind, what are some alternatives to discussing as a class, which will still encourage students to truly think about their topic and discuss it well?<\/p>\n

Alternatives to Class Discussion<\/strong><\/h4>\n

1. Family Discussion<\/strong><\/h5>\n

This is, in my mind, the all-time best alternative to a classroom discussion!\u00a0 Talk about it as a family.\u00a0 Family is the pillar of homeschooling.\u00a0 Your family is<\/em> your classroom\u2014not just during school hours, but all the time.\u00a0 Why not have your class discussion around the dinner table?\u00a0 This is a fabulous way to encourage everyone to think about the topic, and to practice discussing it in a courteous, convincing manner.<\/p>\n

For some topics, it will be difficult to have a family discussion when the whole family has not studied the lesson material.\u00a0 If you have an older student who took the course in the past, or are in a position to rearrange your schedule so that another child can participate in the specific lesson under discussion, you might consider having that child (or children), join your class for the day, so that you have a few more voices in your discussion.\u00a0 The group will not be quite as large as a traditional classroom, but a smaller group has advantages of its own.\u00a0 Everyone is likely to be more engaged, and to participate in the conversation when there are only a few students in the class.<\/p>\n

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2. Student Takes Both Sides<\/strong><\/h5>\n

When part of the aim is for the student to consider several viewpoints, you may want to choose an activity which encourages the child to look at their topic from multiple sides.<\/p>\n

\u201cCompare and Contrast\u201d is a common activity with several variations, that requires students to note the similarities and differences between two topics.\u00a0 It can be presented in bullet points, as a graph, in an essay, etc. It can also be used when you want the student to support only one side, by asking the student to draw a conclusion based on their comparison.<\/p>\n

One of my favorite activities for discussing multiple viewpoints came from a history course that was actually from a government curriculum, and was intended for standard classroom use.\u00a0 It was based on an interview format.\u00a0 The students created a list of interview questions, and then came up with two sets of answers to the questions, to represent two different sides of a topic.\u00a0 We video-taped the interviews, while another option was to conduct them live for the rest of the class.\u00a0 Of course, this does take more than one child to perform the interviews, but the questions and answers are written beforehand, and can be done by a single student.\u00a0 Children in other grades are usually happy to lend a hand when it comes to reading them out loud.<\/p>\n

Another variation to this concept would be for students to write two letters on the same topic, each expressing a different view.\u00a0 This ties in excellently with literature or history, where you can assign a specific character, or real-life person, from whose perspective the letter is to be written.\u00a0 Writing letters like this can be a lot of fun, as well as an effective educational tool.<\/p>\n

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3. Student Takes One Side<\/strong><\/h5>\n

For situations where you want your student to take only one side of the question and practice supporting their position, there is always the old, tried-and-true persuasive essay.\u00a0 An essay, I freely admit, is not the most exciting of activities.\u00a0 But for building a connected, well-supported argument in defence of a particular point or opinion, it does have its place.<\/p>\n

A more engaging variation to the standard essay is a presentation, explaining the topic, and your position on it.\u00a0 This can be created just for the teacher\u2019s benefit, or can be presented to a friend or family member, with the convenience that the receiver doesn\u2019t need to have previous background on the subject.<\/p>\n

4. Teacher and Student Discussion<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Don\u2019t hesitate to take this simple alternative, either.\u00a0 Most moms learn as much as they teach while homeschooling.\u00a0 A one-on-one discussion between the student and teacher is an easy way to adapt the traditional class discussion, without needing any extra preparation, or juggling of schedules.\u00a0 It also gives you the opportunity to lead the conversation in whatever direction you think will be most beneficial for your particular topic and student\u2014to cover the material that needs the most thought, or has the greatest impact, or any other recommendation you what to take advantage of.<\/p>\n

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5. When To Skip Class Discussions<\/strong><\/h5>\n

And finally, unless your provincial\/state regulations require you to complete the activity, don\u2019t forget that it is just an activity.\u00a0 It was directed at the needs of an entire class, but it might not fit in with the needs of your particular student.<\/p>\n

The curriculum is provided to help your child internalize a given subject.\u00a0 If one of the activities doesn\u2019t fit in with this aim, it is perfectly acceptable to substitute or cut it!<\/p>\n

If your child is already talking about their subject every day at the lunch table, or is discussing the content with thoughtfulness\u00a0 and understanding while you\u2019re reading the lesson\u2014if they are already learning to think about<\/em> the material they take in, and discuss it courteously and convincingly,<\/em> then they have probably already reached the goal that a classroom discussion was aiming at. \u00a0There is a time when it\u2019s just fine to skip a class discussion.<\/p>\n

Homeschool moms need more of this kind of permission.\u00a0 Class discussions have their place.\u00a0 Most curriculum activities have a certain value.\u00a0 But they are the servant, not the master.\u00a0 Do what is best for your student and your family, without worrying about performing the curriculum perfectly in the eyes of the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cCommit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.\u201d \u2013 Proverbs 16:3<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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