06.+Seeing+Both+Sides

=Seeing Both Sides= =(Could be pre, during or after reading)=

This strategy can be used with fiction or non fiction reading (even viewing). It forces students to look at both sides of a question or an issue.

At first, the teacher poses the questions, but eventually students may be able to create their own questions. The purpose of the strategy is to have students go deeper into the text to find evidence to support their discussion before they jump to conclusions.



Have the chart on paper to hand out, giving lots of space for student notes. Make an overhead for the notes. You could also make a large version and keep it up on the classroom wall.

This strategy does not require a lot of prior knowledge and can be used with all ages.

it is an activity that can take a short time, for example when discussing reasons to buy one phone over another, or in depth discussion such as is Ralph guilty of murder (Lord of the Flies).

Source: School District No. 44, North Vancouver (1999). //Reading 44: A Core Reading Framework//. SD #44. N. Vancouver, (p. 135).

B. In and early scene of the novel //All Quiet on the Western Front//, Paul's friend dies. During this scene it appears that the medical staff do not care about the boy's death. In literature with this type of conflict, students can use a chart such as this to find reasons to support either side of a well worded question. One for this particular scene might be, Are the medical staff guilty of misconduct in allowing the soldier to die? There is evidence in the text to support yes and no.

Students work together to reread the scene and jot down quotes and thoughts about the quotes that support both sides of the question. It is interesting to see how students jump to a conclusion, and then when forced to look at both sides, start to recognize that things are not always as simple as they seem on the surface.

C. Extension

This type of chart can lead into a debate, formal or informal, students can also take turns defending one side and then the other side.

Follow up assignments:

In English 12, students would write a short essay discussing the differing attitudes towards Kemerich's death, but the chart will have served to push their thinking and give more empathy to the orderlies and medical staff in that scene.

D. Younger students can use charts such as this to consider both sides of an argument, purchase, classroom conflict etc. As they become more comfortable with the notion that their are two sides to each question, then they can transition to literature and non-fiction.

How this strategy builds a love for reading:

Weaker students may not understand that authors build arguments; they may also not understand that character may have dilemmas that are not easily solved. Through working with this strategy, students will come to understand these dilemmas and will recognize their importance in the plot line, character development, or content organization. The more readers can understand text structures, the more they will enjoy their reading.