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Collaborative Learning
Individual Discussion Preparation Outline
The following steps will help you to understand and retain more of what you read and also to become a more skillful critical reader. The more you practice these techniques, the more automatic they will become. Remember to do all of the steps for each reading assignment.
Step 1 Defining terms and concepts
- List all the words of which you are unsure. Look them up and write down definitions of them.
- List the key concepts. How does the author define them?
Step 2 Identifying author’s thesis or central claim
Write down a general statement of the author’s message. To do so, answer the following questions:
- What is the author’s subject?
- What is the author’s main idea about this subject?
Step 3 Identifying development and support
How is this main idea developed and/or supported?
- Is the evidence sufficient? Why or why not?
- What are some of the author’s main assumptions?
- Could they be questionable? Why? How?
Step 4 Thinking critically
- Design a critical question about the section you’ve just read.
Step 5Integrating material with other knowledge
- What other ideas does the material substantiate, illuminate, contradict, or amplify?
Step 6Applying the material
- How can the material can apply to your own situation—past, present or future?
GROUP DISCUSSION OUTLINE
OBJECTIVE: To propose a new insight about your reading assignment, using specific textual evidence to support it.
INSTRUCTIONS: In your groups, discuss the chosen critical question about your assignment. Make sure to get input from every member of the group. Record the name of each person who contributes. Make sure to consider several points of view and different interpretations in your discussion before you agree on an insight. Then fill out this form for the presenter to use. Turn in the finished version at the end of class.
READING ASSIGNMENT:
NEW INSIGHT:
FIRST PIECE OF TEXTUAL EVIDENCE:
REASON WHY THIS EVIDENCE SUPPORTS YOUR NEW INSIGHT ABOUT YOUR READING ASSIGNMENT:
1.
2.
RECORDER:______FACILITATOR:______
PRESENTER:______
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS:______
______
SMALL GROUP PRESENTATION GUIDESHEET
Use this sheet to direct your presentation. Have the recorder take notes so that you may use this as you revise your work.
PART I: THE PROBLEM
The problem is:
The parties involved are:
For each of the major parties involved, identify underlying needs and interests:
Reasons why the problem is a serious and compelling one:
Additional questions the group has about the problem:
Best part of this section:
Things to work on:
PART II: THE SOLUTION
List the major interests and needs of both parties (from part I):
Show how this solution will address each of these needs and interests specifically:
List possible counterarguments to the solution:
Questions the group has about the solution:
Best part of this section:
Things to work on:
THESIS CHECKLIST
An adequate thesis statement will contain these characteristics:
____Limited Topic
____Clearly focused - no vague terms or confusing language
____Argumentative -presents a statement that must be argued or proved
____ Gives a concise outline of the argument to be made, either by blueprinting or by using a forecasting statement.
An exceptional thesis statement will have all of the above qualities and these as well:
____Provides a new insight about the topic
State new insight here (What specifically is new about it?
____Raises an interesting, new question about the topic