To start the discussion, ask each student to image a situation they were in that goes along with the lesson. For example, if the lesson is on dealing with anger, ask the students to think of a time when they lost their temper. Then, as you ask questions on the topic, have the children use their experience as an example in their discussion.
Using a talking stick is particularly helpful if students are regularly interrupting each other, or some feel they are having a hard time getting their thoughts out with other students also wanting to talk. Basically, only the student holding the stick and the teacher can talk at any one time.
The teacher will start the discussion and then pass the stick to the first student. That student will have the opportunity to respond. When another student wants her turn to speak, she can raise her hand and have the talking stick next.
Prior to the day of the discussion, the class can be separated in two groups, with each group being assigned one side of an issue to research. Then on the day of the discussion, the teacher selects one student from each side to present what he learned about the issue. The two students chosen will sit at the front of the class and be the "experts" for their respective positions. Once each student has explained his side of the situation, the rest of the class can discuss which side they agree with. The teacher moderates the discussion. The teacher or other students can also ask the "experts" questions, or refer back to things the "experts" said.
For this activity, the teacher will need pictures depicting the topic of the discussion. For example, if the lesson is on the oil spill in the Gulf, it can be a picture of the oil-covered ocean. The students will not know what the picture is ahead of time. The teacher will then instruct the students to shout out the first thing that comes to mind when they see the picture.
When the teacher shows the picture, and students start shouting out thoughts or words, the teacher can either make mental notes of things being said, or write them on the board as he or she hears them. After a minute, the teacher can quiet the class, and then start repeating some of the words or comments that were shouted out. The teacher can call on different students to explain their reaction.
For example, if one student shouts out "sad" when showed a picture of the oil-covered ocean, the teacher can ask that student why they thought the picture was sad.