An important feature of a student-centered classroom is student led discussion facilitations and activities.

During our facilitations, student groups will be responsible for reading a text, and creating a lesson plan depicting a discussion idea or activity based on that reading. Then, the groups will enact their plan during one of our in-person meetings, Finally, groups will be responsible for preparing a report that analyzes the classroom experience.

---

Texts for the facilitations have been chosen to introduce a range of experiences in and theories around the use of language in a variety of social, educational, and professional contexts. Some texts will provide definition, some will explore the experiences of specific groups, and some will advance new ways of thinking about language use and subordination.

There are nine texts available for facilitation. Groups will be formed based on your interest in the subject matter (and how quickly you decide on what you want). The texts are identified  linked below next to the date that they will be presented in the class. This information is also listed on the class schedule.

FACILITATION DATE	TEXT AVAILABLE
W Oct 13	Caitlin Languages in Conflict | John Edwards
W Oct 13	Odelenia, Autumn, Bryan Bilingualism | John Edwards
W Oct 20	Shantal, Jannatul, Sornale Language Choice in U.S. Latina First Person Narrative: The Effects of Language Standardization and Subordination | Holly R. Cashman
W Oct 20	Abbey, Karol, Marcus Language use in shifting contexts: Two multilingual Filipinos’ narratives of language and mobility | Rebecca Urip Wattimena
W Oct 27	Alexis, Jeremy, Umer The Unassimilable Race | Lippe-Green
W NOV 3	Emmanuelle, Calvin, Aliya, Angelo Ya Basta! | Lippe-Green
W NOV 3	Micaela, Elliot, Kasia The real trouble with Black Language | Lippe-Green
W Nov 10	Denise, Mario, Gabriela The workplace and the judicial system | Lippe-Green
W Nov 10	Betzabeth, Ashley, Asanti The educational system | Lippe-Green

The class facilitation consists of three parts: a plan, an in-class facilitation, and a report. Details about what’s expected in each of these sections can be found on the assignment rubric (linked here).

The most important thing to remember about this assignment is that this is not a presentation of the information contained in the text. It’s an activity or discussion developed based on the text’s content. You may need to present some content from the text to establish context for your discussion or activity, but you don’t need to cover every point. The class will have read the text in preparation for your facilitation so we’ll know where you’re coming from. Yes…that’s right…everyone is responsible for reading all facilitation texts.

Assignment schedule

• M Sept 13: Assignment introduction and first look at the texts
• W Sept 15: Slots are first come; first served. There are nine facilitations. That means there will be eight groups of three, and one group of two. If you have a particular text or date that you want to get, be sure to check in early. If you haven’t selected a slot by Friday Sept 17, I will assign a slot for you. 
• Saturday Sept 18: I will post the groups member names on the table above under the text that was chosen. I will also post my “lesson plan” for the W Sept 22 class by Monday Sept 20 (linked). You can use mine as a model to create your group’s plan.  I will post a facilitation report by W Oct 13.
• Mon Oct 11: Lesson plan is due for all facilitations. I will send out a file request. The plan you submit on Mon Oct 11 must be used during your facilitation. No changes after that submission date. 
• Facilitation will proceed in the order listed on the table above (and on the class schedule).
• Reports are due within one week of the class facilitation. I will send separate file requests with specific end dates after your class.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Group work can be a really rewarding experience, or it can be terrible. I’m aware of the pros and cons, but think the pros win by a mile. In groupwork, you need to be responsive to the needs of your group and to make sure that you meet deadlines. If it becomes clear that there’s a problem within a group, your group may request moderation using this form (group moderation form).  See form for details on action and penalties.

Questions??