After Reading Activity #1

Philosophical Chairs

Philosophical Chairs is an activity or game that we're going to use to debate some of the ideas and concepts from this text. Remeber at the beginning of this novel, before we began reading when we discussed some big ideas during the learning stations? (If you don't remember you can click here!)

We're going to use some of those questions, along with some new more text-specific ones.

Rules of Philosophical Chairs:

1. Students begin standing in the middle of the classroom.
2. I will read aloud a statement; if you agree with the statement move to the right side of the room, if you disagree with the statement move to the left.
1. You have 30 seconds to pick your side
2. If you're really not sure, you can stay in the middle and each side can attempt to "win you over"
3. Once the sides have been decided, students will begin to explain the reasoning and evidence for their choice.
1. ONE person talks at a time, this person is decided by stepping forward. If two students step forward at the same time, they politely decide who should talk.
2. The speaker bounces from each side, meaning that if a person from the agree side spoke, the next person to speak has to be from the disagree side.
4. Try to acknowledge what the last person stated before beginning your arguments.
5. All discussion is respectful, meaningful, and productive. Our goal as a class is to work together to present multiple viewpoints in order to have a better understanding of the text as a whole. There is no right or wrong, simply valid points backed up by evidence and reason.

Statements to be Read:

1. Mr. Ward should have gotten his own chapter in the novel.
2. Tyrone was the best choice to be the main narrator of the novel.
3. The urban setting of the novel, the Bronx, is the 19th character of the novel.
4. The arts are a vital part to our culture and deserve more attention in our education system.
5. Stereotypes exist because people fit them; they're accurate and truthful.
6. I felt I could relate to the students in Mr. Ward's class.
7. All it takes to be successful in America is hard work.
8. An Open Mike Day would be a positive influence in this classroom.
9. The students in Mr. Ward's class go on to be successful in achieving their dreams after high school.
10. Appearance is something we have total control over, so it should not affect you.
11. Poetry and rap are the same.
12. Identity is how you define yourself, not how others see you.
13. Wearing a mask to hide your true self is something you have to do to fit in in high school.
14. Tyrone's growth and development is a representation of the way the entire class comes of age during the school year.
15. The dreams the students have in Mr. Ward's class are unattainable.
16. Your familial relationships (i.e. whether you have a dad, a mom, positive relationships with siblings, etc.) affect your relationships with friends or significant others.
17. A strong family is more important than a strong friendship.
18. It's important for people to read things written by authors and poets who share their cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
19. Art is a very limited tool for changing the way people and society see you.
20. All transformations are good (change is always good).

After Reading Activity #2: RAFT Writing------->