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Text Talks

Page history last edited by Ms. Edwards 14 years, 8 months ago

Text Talks

~ wondering about the world ~

Where am I? Who am I?

    How did I come to be here?

    What is this thing called the world?

    How did I come into the world?

    Why was I not consulted?

    And If I am compelled to take part in it,

    Where is the director?

    I want to see him.

 

~ Soren Kierkegaard, Danish Writer

Current Text Talks    Text Talk 1   Text Talk 2    Text Talk 3    Text Talk 4     Text Talk 5

 

The Goal

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.”

~ Galileo Galilei, Fifteenth Century philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer

 

We are bombarded with ideas everyday.  Some ideas affect our lives. But which ideas are important -- and how do they connect to our lives?

 

We will examine some ideas in text form through the use of questions to which participants will respond.  Through this examination, we promote critical thinking, discuss and understand ideas and values, gain a deeper understanding about the text, gain a deeper understanding about seminar members, and  gain a deeper understanding about oneself.

The Questions

One who asks a question is a fool for five minutes;

one who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

~ Chinese Proverb

 

• What is the central idea of the text ?

• What does the author mean?

• What is the most important idea of this text?

• What is the subtext of this piece? What is the author not saying?

 

The Process

Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. 

~ Alfred North Whitehead, British mathematician, logician and philosopher

 

  1. Read text at least two times.

  2. Make notes below the text in a section labeled with your (or your team's) code name.

  3. Make statements, ask questions, and listen -- to your team members discuss, or to the readings of the other's sections.

  4. Refer to the text frequently to support what you say.

    1. State the part of the text that supports your view.

  5. Build on what others say, in our overly positive way (see example below).

  6. Be courteous and respectful; every opinion counts.

  7. Keep an open mind.

  8. It's your Text Talk; it's only as good as you make it.

  9. Every member is obligated to participate.

 

Agree/Disagree Politely

I know that you believe you understood what you think I said,

but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.

~ Robert McCloskey, writer and illustrator

 

Example with disagreement; reference to other student's quote; explanation; thanks

 

Dear Shee,

I disagree with your comment about uniforms because I think students should not have to wear uniforms. Clothing in as extension of a person's personality. One sentence that stands out for me was "If kids wear uniforms, they won't get picked on as much."  I think this might be true, or maybe kids will pick on that person now for their hair or something else. I think instead of using uniforms to try to stop bullying, that our school should actually deal with the issue of bullying. Uniform clothing just sends the bullier to another avenue to pick.  We need to get our school on track with allowing people the dignity of expressing themselves, and clothing is one such way.  I do want to thank you for sharing your ideas; it helped me to think about the issue more. I look forward to more of your ideas, even if you disagree.  ~ EZ Out

 

 

Template of Possible agree/disagree statements:

 

 

** I <past tense verb showing emotion> your <poem/post/image/letter...>, "<Exact Title>," because... <add 2 or 3 sentences>

 

** One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: "<Quote from message.>" I think this is <adjective> because... <add 1 or 2 sentences>

 

** Another sentence that I <past tense verb>  was: "<Copy a sentence or line from the post.>" This stood out for me because...

 

** I do/don't <adverb> agree with you that...__________________.  One reason I say this is... ____________________. Another reason I agree/disagree with you is..._______________________.

 

** End on a positive note: Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because...________________< add 2 or 3 sentences explaining what will bring you back to see more about this person's thoughts.>

The Reflection

The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness

and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.

~  Aristotle, Greek philosopher

 

Review the ideas expressed as a class, guided by these questions:

  • What do you feel about the text now? Has your thinking changed from when you first read it?
  • Place yourself in 's shoes. Vlbuld you say or do the same thing?
  • What have you learned from this seminar?

 

Finally, the class or classes will provide a summarizing title for the top of the Text Talk page:

If we could give a new title to this text that sums up what we think, what would it be?

 

    Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?"

~ George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright

 

 

 

 

 

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