Class meetings can be an excellent multipurpose tool for your classroom. This simple strategy of setting aside time for students to discuss classroom issues as a group can yield far-reaching benefits.
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Boundaries of class meetings
Allow students an active voice:
- If students believe their ideas are respected and valued, they will more likely be productive participants.
- Follow the rules of brainstorming.
- Use techniques such as mirroring to help hone students' ideas.
- Establish a regular schedule for classroom meetings.
Remember your role in the classroom:
- As a teacher, you hold "veto" power; use it sparingly for best results.
- Remember the advantages of "Socratic questioning" to help students think through the logic of their proposals.
- Allow students to learn from their mistakes. Let them try out their ideas, even if you're convinced they won't work, as long as no obvious harm could result.
- Allot 20 to 30 minutes for the session.
- Record all ideas on butcher paper so everyone can see them and they can be retrieved at a later date.
- Encourage all ideas. Perhaps offer a sticker to the person with the most ideas or with the most creative suggestion.
- Do not accept judgmental tones, remarks, body language, or facial expressions that indicate the ideas are good, bad, or funny.
- Use others' comments to think of new ideas.
- Keep discussion of the recorded ideas to a minimum. Allow time for an exchange of views later.
Mirroring is a listening technique where one student describes a problem, idea, or conflict to another. The second student listens and then repeats or "mirrors" the first student's thoughts to ensure that the ideas were properly understood. The first student confirms the information is correct or the listening student tries again until it is.
