Discussion Starters

Type of Literacy Strategy:

Speaking (discussion and debate)

Reading Level:

All Secondary Reading Levels; Based on how the Discussion Starters are introduced, all students should be able to use repetition of the strategy to understand the strategy and how to use the starters to speak in class.

Prep Time:

Depends on depth of use. Can help facilitate or start discussion, or can have 15-20 minutes asking students prompts as activity.

Discussion Starters in Use -

• Discussion Starters should be introduced at he beginning of the year and used throughout so students know how to use the strategy
• Have laminated signs or individual handouts (like the templates below have).
• Explain discussion starters to begin and then have students begin asking each other prompts and questions to facilitate their own discussions. If it moves to debate, make sure students stay on topic by asking more pointed discussion starter questions about the main topic to re-route to the main ideas.