Tip #77 from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents (McKinley & Trombly) - deliberation and debate
Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly. #77 A Friendly Debate Deliberation and debate are the ways you stir the soul of our democracy. ~ Jesse Jackson You already know that discussing a book after reading it can greatly increase your child’s comprehension. If you want to liven up the discussion, try turning the discussion into a debate. Choose two different books to debate. Take turns “arguing” whose character is more believable, which plot was most exciting, or which book had the funniest scene. Choose a different story element each time you debate. (Idea #84 has story element ideas.) Your child will quickly realize that arguing intelligently is not as easy as she thinks. She won’t be able just to say her book’s plot was the most exciting; she’ll have to try to prove it with supporting details and information that will help val...