Philosophical Chairs Discussion What is it? Why does it work? How can I use it?

It’s so easy… Your cat could do it!

What is it? A discussion technique Students answer a yes or no question on a sheet of paper Students then choose a side in the room – yes or no (front or back) There are a few chairs in the middle for undecided

Sample Rules for P.Chairs Stay hot for only 1 Minute Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking Do not comment until the 4th comment Move!

Sample Rules for P.Chairs Stay hot for only 1 Minute This means you can only stay in the middle chairs for a short time. You can only stay ‘undecided’ for a minute. Then you should make an effort to move to one side or the other.

The hot seat should be ‘hot’

Sample Rules for P.Chairs 2. Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time Before a student speaks they must rephrase, summarize, or repeat the main point of the last person that spoke. This helps the discussion along and shows respect for the last person’s opinion. It also buys time for the person to organize their thoughts before they begin.

Rephrase

Mr. Duez’s Rules for P.Chairs 3. Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking By holding 3 seconds the student is being sure that the last person is completely done with their comment. Often students will hesitate while thinking and may not be finished. This is also a nice technique to keep respect in the front of the student’s minds.

Yield… for 3 seconds

Sample Rules for P.Chairs 4. Do not comment until the 4th comment If a student is giving a comment they must wait for three other comments until they can talk – on the 4th comment. This gives one other person on their side a chance to speak before they begin again. This helps to eliminate a ‘tennis match’ from breaking out between two students.

Wait your turn…

Sample Rules for P.Chairs Move! Students should not make comments to show support, but rather move their feet. If a comment has been made that they agree with, a student will get up and move to that side of the room. They are then moving “chairs” to show support. It does not mean that they have changed their mind completely. They can move back when ready.

Show support by movement

Write the rules & the question on the board. Stay hot for only 1 Minute Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking Do not comment until the 4th comment Move!

Follow the rules

Role of the moderator The moderator should stay in the center. Call “time out” when a fact is wrong or if someone is not being respectful. Direct and call on students who have not yet had a chance to speak. Encourage the question – keep them on topic

Closure Give each side 30 seconds to express their opinion Have them choose a speaker, give them 2 minutes to organize comments Flip a coin to see which side goes first ALWAYS have students write their answers to the question and opinion before and after P. Chairs (for academic classes)

Why does it work? Students are driving the conversation, not the teacher. Multiple students have the opportunity to talk. It is fun. No one wins, everyone does – it is not a competition

How can I use it? Always have students write their answer to the P. Chairs question before you begin. On the flip side of their paper, have them write: Did my answer to the question become strengthened, weakened, changed completely? Who in the class strengthened, weakened, changed my opinion by their comments.

Possible Topics Nothing any human being does is ever truly selfless Where would you rather live? Athens or Sparta (world history) Unclaimed animals in the pound should be used for medical research Every student has the opportunity to succeed in school Students should be able to select their own teachers

More info: Special Thanks to Mr. Duez for this powerpoint! http://www.humbleisd.net/dduez http://www.scribd.com/doc/14091305/Philosophical-Chairs-Discussion

Let’s try it out! Parents should encourage their teenage children to work even if the family does not need the money.