Ask Anything Hat Discussion Guide

This guide provides prompts and strategies for facilitating a respectful and productive anonymous discussion.

Introduction (Recap Ground Rules)

Before starting, remind students of the core rules for discussion:

• Kindness: Offer constructive and supportive feedback.
• Thoughtfulness: Listen actively and consider different perspectives.
• Respect: Value all contributions and avoid judgment.
• Anonymity: Do not try to guess who wrote the question.

Facilitation Prompts for Each Question

For each question or advice request drawn from the hat, use a selection of the following prompts to guide the conversation. Tailor them to the specific question being discussed.

Opening the Discussion

• "What are your initial thoughts on this question?"
• "Has anyone ever felt similarly or faced a similar situation?"
• "What do you think is the main concern or feeling behind this question?"

Exploring Perspectives

• "What are some different ways someone could approach this?"
• "If you were in this situation, what might you do or say?"
• "Are there any challenges or difficulties associated with this topic?"
• "What are some positive actions or mindsets that could help here?"

Offering Advice/Solutions

• "What practical advice would you give to the person who wrote this?"
• "Are there resources or people that could help with this?"
• "How can we support someone who is dealing with this?"
• "What is one small step someone could take?"

Deepening Understanding

• "Why do you think it might be hard for someone to ask this question out loud?"
• "What does this question teach us about ourselves or our classmates?"
• "How can we create an environment where these types of questions feel less daunting?"

Wrapping Up Each Question

• "Does anyone have one final thought or piece of advice they want to share on this?"
• "Thank you for your thoughtful contributions on this topic."

Management Strategies

• Keep it Moving: If a discussion stalls, offer a prompt or move to the next question if time is short.
• Steer Gently: If responses become off-topic or disrespectful, gently redirect the conversation back to the question and the ground rules.
• Encourage Participation: Ensure a variety of voices are heard. You might say, "We haven't heard from [student name] yet, would you like to add anything?" or "Let's hear from someone new."
• Teacher as Facilitator, Not Answerer: Your role is to guide the discussion and ensure a safe space, not necessarily to provide all the answers yourself. Empower students to help each other.
• Time Management: Be mindful of the 30-minute timeframe. You might pre-decide to discuss 3-5 questions thoroughly rather than rushing through many.