Philosophical Chairs

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Norms Ask questions. Engage fully. Integrate new information. Open your mind to diverse views. Utilize what you learn. Learn more about the Standards for Professional Learning at

AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success success in a global society. 4

Essential Question How can we engage students appropriately in rigorous debate using collaboration and deep reading strategies?

Objectives Collaborate with colleagues Understand the Rules of Engagement of Philosophical Chairs Understand the role of the Mediator Participate in a Philosophical Chairs Debate Apply using a text Debrief and Evaluate

Philosophical Chairs “An organized dialogue that helps students develop the ability to give careful attention to other students’ comments and to actively engage in constructive dialogue with one another” Inquiry and collaboration are inherent in Philosophical Chairs. Writing and reading are easily incorporated into the prework for Philosophical Chairs. A great prewriting activity - allows students to gain and develop a variety of ideas about a topic.

The 11 Essentials 1. Student Selection 2. Voluntary Participation 3. AVID Elective During School Implementing AVID 4. Rigorous Curriculum 5. Organization 6. Reading and Writing Curriculum 7. Inquiry and Collaboration 8. Trained Tutors The AVID Elective 9. Data Collection & Analysis 10. Resource Commitment 11. Active Interdisciplinary Site Team Supporting AVID

Classroom Set Up Class is divided into those who agree with the statement... and those who disagree with the statement

The Mediator Remains neutral Calls on sides to speak May paraphrase arguments made by each side for clarification Ensures participation by as many students as possible

Rules of Engagement Understand the statement and choose a side. Listen carefully when others speak and seek to understand their argument even if you don’t agree. Wait for the mediator to recognize you before you speak; only one person speaks at a time. You must first summarize briefly the previous speaker’s arguments before you make your response.

Rules of Engagement Be sure that when you speak, you address the ideas, not the person stating them. Keep an open mind and move to the other side or the undecided section if you feel that someone made a good argument or your opinion is swayed. Support the mediator by maintaining order and by NOT dominating the Philosophical Chairs debate.

Central Statement Only Children and teens under the age of 18 should be prohibited from purchasing “energy drinks.”

The Written Evaluation Using the Philosophical Chairs Written Evaluation Sheet, answer questions 1-5 in your table group.

Children and teens under the age of 18 should be prohibited from purchasing “energy drinks.” Central Statement with Text

Directions: Number each paragraph of the text before reading. Read the text. Reread the text and do the following: – Circle key terms, names of people, names of places or dates –Underline the author’s claims, arguments, and/or assertions Marking the Text

Group Brainstorm

How would using a text enrich the Philosophical Chairs debate experience? What new arguments, claims and/or assertions would have been made using the article? When and Why would using a text be appropriate and necessary? Conversely, when would it be inappropriate or unnecessary? Discuss...

Classroom Application “How would you use Philosophical Chairs in your classroom?”

Essential Question Revisited How can we engage students appropriately in rigorous debate using collaboration and deep reading strategies?

Rigor Defined AVID’s Definition of Rigor: “Using inquiry-based, collaborative strategies to challenge and engage students in content resulting in increasingly complex levels of understanding”

Ask Yourself... Are students actively engaged in the material or with the text? What opportunities have been made available for processing and reflection?

Thank You! Please complete the training evaluation before you leave today!

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