Jack Discussion Leaders Information and Schedule
For our unit on Jack by A.M. Homes, each of you will co-lead one class discussion. This means that you and your other discussion leader(s) need to communicate ahead of time to come up with between six and ten questions that will serve as the foundation for that day’s discussion. Each of you must come up with a minimum of three solid discussion questions and check in with your co-leader(s) to make sure their questions don’t address the same topic or theme. Each group of discussion leaders needs to be a mixed 7th and 8th grade pairing.
What Makes a Strong Discussion Question?
Discussion questions are meant to provoke discussion. So the question should encourage the respondents to analyze, infer and make connections. Questions about basic plot information or those that can be answered in a few words should be avoided. Thoughtful discussion questions include those that:
- Focus on the question of why
- Focus on theme, symbol or a character’s development and/or motivation
- Address specific moments in the text
- Ask respondents to support their thinking with textual evidence
- Make connections between earlier events in the novel
- Connect to social and political history as well as personal experience
- Do not have one “right” answer but instead provoke spirited debate
How to Prepare for Your Role as Co-Discussion Leader
· Read your section with special care, reviewing important passages, taking notes and marking key moments with post-it notes
· Check in with you co-leader(s) a few days before and discuss how you plan to organize your discussion
· Email your questions to your co-leader(s) and ask for feedback/look for gaps or repetitions
· Email your final list of questions to Julia and Tom at least 24 hours before your scheduled class
· In the case of an unexpected absence (sickness, not a high school visit), contact Tom, Julia and your co-leader(s) to make sure your questions and input is still a vital part of the class discussion
How to Follow Up After Your Discussion is completed
Within 24 hours of your discussion, please email both Julia and Tom, answering the following questions with thoughtful detail:
- What went well during your discussion?
- Which aspect of your work as a co-leader were you especially proud of?
- What was challenging for you?
- If you were to lead this discussion again, what would you do differently?
How You’ll be Graded for This Project
Your grade as discussion leader will be based on the following criteria:
- Thought and detail in your questions
- Communication with teachers and discussion partners
- Attention to deadlines and procedure
- Organization and leadership in your discussion
- Creativity
Schedule
Tuesday, 11/30 pp 1-35
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Jamie 2. Kyle B. | 1. Vaughn 2. Altana | 1. Ari 2. Emma |
Thursday, 12/2 pp 35-63
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Bradley 2. Nicholas | 1. Isaiah 2. Summer-Grace | 1. Stefan 2. Anja |
Monday, 12/6 pp 63-103
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Isaac 2. William | 1. Helena 2. Quitze 3.Khalil | 1. Mayo 2. Cara |
Tuesday, 12/7 pp 103-136
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1.Brianna 2.Camrin | 1.Kai W. 2.Claudia | 1.Kyle R. 2.Kira |
Thursday, 12/9 pp 137-169
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Louisa 2. Oni | 1. Ana 2. Rebecca | 1. Ian 2. Becca |
Monday, 12/13 pp 169-195
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Rehana 2. Brittney | 1. Mikah 2. Jack | 1. Sophie 2. Kai M. |
Tuesday, 12/14 pp 195-220
| Triplet 1 | Triplet 2 | Triplet 3 |
| 1. Julia 2. Tom | 1. Julia 2. Tom | 1. Julia 2. Tom |
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