Lesson Plan
Student Panel Talk
Students will plan and deliver a brief panel discussion demonstrating listening and respectful disagreement.
Effective communication and the ability to engage in respectful dialogue are essential life skills. This lesson helps students develop these by practicing structured discussions and constructive disagreement.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Collaborative planning, guided practice, and peer feedback.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Student Panel Talk Lesson Plan, Panel Roles Slides, Panel Question Bank, Panel Performance Rubric, and Exit Ticket Audience Takeaway.
- Ensure projector/screen is ready for the slide deck.
- Print copies of the Panel Question Bank and Panel Performance Rubric if desired for physical copies, or prepare for digital distribution.
- Arrange desks for small group work and a 'panel' setup if possible.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Panel Roles Review
5 minutes
- Begin by displaying the first slide of the Panel Roles Slides with the 'Do Now'.
2. Ask students to quickly review and recall different roles within a panel discussion (moderator, panelist, audience). Briefly discuss their functions. (Key Concept: Panel format)
Step 2
Plan Questions and Roles
10 minutes
- Divide students into small groups (3-5 students per group).
2. Distribute the Panel Question Bank to each group.
3. Instruct groups to select a topic from the bank or propose their own, and then brainstorm 3-5 questions for their panel.
4. Within their groups, students should assign roles: one moderator and 2-4 panelists. (Key Concept: Facilitation, Audience awareness)
Step 3
Rehearse Turn-Taking
10 minutes
- Guide groups to rehearse their panel discussion, focusing on smooth transitions between speakers and how to respectfully disagree.
2. Encourage students to practice active listening and responding to each other's points. Use Panel Roles Slides to remind them of best practices.
3. Circulate among groups, providing feedback and guidance on their questions and interactions. (Key Concept: Respectful disagreement)
Step 4
Audience Feedback & Takeaways
5 minutes
- Have each group select one question from their bank to perform a brief (1-2 minute) segment of their panel for the class, or for another group.
2. After each short performance, distribute the Exit Ticket Audience Takeaway and have students provide constructive feedback on what they observed regarding respectful disagreement and clear communication.
3. Collect exit tickets. Explain that the full panel performance and assessment will be in a future lesson, referencing the Panel Performance Rubric as a preview of expectations.
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Slide Deck
Do Now: Panel Roles Review
What are the key roles in a panel discussion?
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Audience
What does each role do?
Welcome students and introduce the 'Do Now' activity. Briefly remind them what a panel discussion is and its purpose.
Plan Your Panel: Topic & Questions
- Choose a Topic: Select from the Panel Question Bank or create your own!
- Brainstorm Questions: Develop 3-5 open-ended questions related to your topic.
- Assign Roles:
- Moderator: Keeps time, introduces topic & questions, ensures everyone speaks.
- Panelists (2-4): Share ideas, respond to questions, listen actively.
- (Audience for later)
Explain the task: students will work in groups to plan their own panel discussion. Guide them to the Panel Question Bank. Emphasize that choosing a topic they care about will make it more engaging.
Rehearse Your Turn-Taking
Practice makes perfect!
- Take turns responding to your questions.
- Listen carefully to your teammates.
- Respectful Disagreement: How can you share a different opinion politely?
- "I hear what you're saying, and I also think..."
- "That's an interesting point. From my perspective..."
- Avoid interrupting!
Stress the importance of practice. Encourage them to listen and build on each other's points. Model an example of respectful disagreement if needed.
Showtime! & Feedback
Time to share a short part of your panel!
- Each group will present a brief segment (1-2 minutes).
- Audience: Pay attention to how groups demonstrate respectful disagreement.
- Prepare for the Exit Ticket Audience Takeaway to share your thoughts!
Explain that they will present a short segment and then receive feedback from their peers. Introduce the idea of an exit ticket for reflection.
Project Guide
Panel Question Bank
Choose one of the topics below or propose your own! Once you have a topic, brainstorm 3-5 questions that your panel will discuss.
Topic Ideas:
- Technology in Schools: Should cell phones be allowed in classrooms? How does technology change how we learn?
- Environmental Issues: What are the most important things we can do to protect our planet? How can students make a difference locally?
- Social Media Impact: Is social media good or bad for teenagers? How can we use social media responsibly?
- School Events & Activities: What new clubs or events should our school have? How can we make school more engaging for everyone?
- Future Careers: What skills will be most important for jobs in the future? How can we prepare for them now?
Your Chosen Topic:
Your Panel Questions:
Rubric
Panel Performance Rubric
Student Name: ________________________
Panel Topic: ________________________
| Criteria | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Approaches Expectations | 1 - Needs Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening & Responsiveness | Actively listens, builds on others' points, and asks insightful follow-up questions. | Listens attentively and responds relevantly to others' comments. | Shows some listening, but responses are sometimes off-topic or repetitive. | Rarely listens to others; responses are mostly unrelated to the discussion. |
| Respectful Disagreement | Articulates differing opinions clearly and respectfully, providing strong evidence. | Expresses disagreements politely and appropriately when needed. | Disagrees, but may sometimes interrupt or express views disrespectfully. | Frequently interrupts or expresses disagreement in an impolite manner. |
| Participation | Contributes consistently and meaningfully, elevating the discussion. | Participates actively, sharing relevant ideas and insights. | Participates occasionally, but contributions may be limited or brief. | Rarely participates or contributions are off-topic. |
| Clarity & Coherence | Presents ideas with exceptional clarity, organization, and logical flow. | Presents ideas clearly and maintains a generally coherent argument. | Ideas are somewhat clear but may lack organization or logical progression. | Ideas are unclear, disorganized, and difficult to follow. |
| Role Fulfillment | Fully understands and expertly executes their assigned panel role. | Understands and successfully fulfills their assigned panel role. | Partially fulfills their assigned panel role, with some prompting. | Does not understand or fulfill their assigned panel role. |
Teacher Comments:
Overall Score: _________/20
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Audience Takeaway
Name: ________________________
Instructions: Briefly reflect on the panel segments you observed today.
-
Describe one thing a panelist did well to show active listening or respectful disagreement.
-
What is one strategy you learned today for participating effectively in a panel discussion?
-
What is one question you still have about panel discussions?