Debating to prompt rich book conversation

Connection The book Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson—I HATE it but my friend Kelly LOVES it.

Teaching point Today I want to teach you that different readers can debate different views in a book by presenting their position and evidence.

Teaching First, you need to have a topic that is debatable. Could someone disagree with you? Smoking is harmful to people’s health A good education is necessary for a happy life Plants produce oxygen that is necessary to sustain life. Computers and automation increase unemployment. Australia has some of the most venomous snake breeds in the world. Could we find evidence to support our opinion?

Teaching First, pick a topic. Second, review the evidence Third, collect the evidence from the text

Teaching Now you try with your book club book! I take the position that… My first reason for this is…My evidence for that is… My second reason for this is…My evidence for that is…

Share Home of the Brave I take the position that Ganwar is good for Kek. My first reason for this is that he gives Kek realistic advice on how to act in America. My evidence for that is that when Kek is getting dressed for school, Ganwar lets him know that he has to dress differently or he would get teased. He picks out jeans and a t-shirt so Kek will fit in. My second reason is that Ganwar is good for Kek is that Ganwar reminds Kek that Kek is not the only one who has gone through a terrible loss. My evidence is that Kek often thinks about what Ganwar has gone through as a way to understand how sad Ganwar seems. Also, when Kek helps Ganwar get a job on the farm, it is a way to help Ganwar feel a sense of belonging. Helping Ganwar helps Kek too. He says, “For a moment, as Ganwar and I hum one of the old sons, we are where we belong in the world.”

homework As you read tonight, think about the debate you had today about your book club book. Think about your opponent’s points and gather new evidence to counter those points. Spend 5 minutes writing back to the other side. Be sure to use evidence!