BCMS Friday Rewind
Week of 2/19/2018
“The Power of Hmmm…” by Jeremy Glazer
“In my own observations of high-school English classes that feature ‘academic discussion,’” says Jeremy Glazer (Stanford University) in this Kappan article, “I often see more of a focus on being academic than on having an actual discussion. Teachers put so much emphasis on the format and style of academic talk that students never actually get a chance to engage in a genuine exchange of ideas.” Glazer is thinking of scripted phrases like “To summarize what’s been said so far…” and “To build on what Elvia said…” – in other words, process goals like taking turns and paraphrasing each other’s comments or listening actively, have become more important than substance.
Students certainly need instruction and guidance to avoid an anarchic free-for-all. But Glazer thinks structuring discussions has gone too far in many classrooms. He’s interested in how teachers can orchestrate discussions that are less stilted and more authentic – “that teem with energy, where students wrestle with ideas that truly mean something to them.” One way is to listen for moments when students say, “Hmmm…” because an unexpected idea made them pause, reconsider assumptions, and look at things in a new way.
AVID Strategies - Philosophical Chairs
UPCOMING EVENTS AT BCMS
- Tuesday, February 27 - 3rd Quarter - Mid-Quarter - CAMPUS open
- Wednesday, February 28 - ESP Meeting - 3:50 pm - Conf room 100 - AVID
- Friday, March 2 - WEB event for all 6th graders during Prime Time
- Tuesday, March 6 - TLLC Meeting - 8:00 am - Conference room 100
- Wednesday, March 7 - Staff Meeting - Media Center - 8:00 am
- Thursday, March 8 - BCMS Conferences 4:00 - 8:00 pm
Buffalo Community Middle School
Email: mlubben@bhmschools.org
Website: http://www.bhmschools.org/schools/buffalo-middle
Location: 1300 Minnesota 25, Buffalo, MN, United States
Phone: 763-682-8200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Buffalo-Community-Middle-School-459840964033797/
Twitter: @BCMSBison