Philosophical Chairs

Depending on the topic, this activity can be used in a variety of classes, and in a variety of ways. Topics that work best for this style of class discussion are ones that are close to the students. One that they can connect to, and have an opinion on that can be backed by research and inquiry. How does it work Pre-work: Students need to read an article or research in to an area that they have been studying. Have a question on the board that students can take a position on: Agree, Disagree, or Neutral. Set the classroom up with chairs facing one another. Every student needs to speak at least once, and cannot talk over another. One student speaking at a time. (Usually having something soft life a ball or something they can toss back and forth to each other is helpful. The person holding the ball is the only one that can speak. ) The idea is that they need to pass the ball back and forth from each side, and not just down their side.

Directions Select a student to start the discussion by stating why they chose their particular stance on the topic. The student then passes the ball onto a student from the opposite side for them to respond and states their opinion. Their statements need to reference the text/research that they have done on the particular topic. You can set a specific amount of time for the discussion to take place, or let it run its course. Teachers should be keeping track of how many times each student participated and added to the discussion. Students can swap sides and move at any time during the discussion. When completed, students should reflect on their discussion, stating their original stance, and any transitions of sides, explain their thoughts and reasoning.

Optional: Students must acknowledge or respond to the previous comment before giving their opinion. (I understand what ___ said when ____, but I feel that ____.)