Internet Academy Resources
The Final Word What is The Final Word?
The Final Word is a strategy for discussing assigned reading. It works this way:
- In a chat group of four, each student chooses what he or she thinks is an important concept from a reading assignment.
- Taking timed turns, you present your choice and the reasons you made it.
- You also respond to the choices made by the other students.
How will The Final Word help me read better?
- An effective reader is able to identify the key points in a piece of writing.
- Preparing to discuss the key points helps you evaluate and identify what is important in a piece of writing.
- Responding to other students' ideas broadens your views and clarifies your thinking about what you read.
How would I use The Final Word in a class?
Preparation
As a member of a Final Word group, you would
- Read and reflect on a reading assignment.
- Select one significant quote or concept to discuss.
- Prepare to support your ideas and justify the quote or concept you chose.
- Know the reading assignment well enough to discuss it and respond to other students’ ideas.
Process
- A Final Word group has four students.
- One student is chosen as the facilitator/timekeeper.
- The group discusses one significant quote or concept chosen by each group member.
- Four selections are discussed.
- The time is organized into four rounds of discussion, each round lasting eleven minutes:
- The first person has three minutes to identify and support the significance of the quote or concept he or she chose.
- The other members of the group are then allowed two minutes each to comment on that same selection. (Two minutes each; six minutes total.)
- They may respond to what was said by the first person or add in a way that extends the understanding of the selection.
- The person who started then has two additional minutes for the "Final Word" to comment on what has been raised by other group members and to add any additional insights.
