Philosophical Chairs
Discussion
What is it?
Why does it work?
How can I use it?
It’s so easy…
What is it?
A discussion technique
 Students answer a yes or no question on
a sheet of paper
 Students then choose a side in the room
– yes or no (front or back)
 There are a few chairs in the middle for
undecided

Sample Rules for P.Chairs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Stay hot for only 1 Minute
Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time
Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking
Do not comment until the 4th
comment
Move!
Sample Rules for P.Chairs
1.
Stay hot for only 1 Minute
This means you can only stay in the
middle chairs for a short time. You can
only stay ‘undecided’ for a minute.
Then you should make an effort to
move to one side or the other.
The hot seat should be ‘hot’
Sample Rules for P.Chairs
2. Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time
Before a student speaks they must
rephrase, summarize, or repeat the
main point of the last person that
spoke. This helps the discussion along
and shows respect for the last person’s
opinion. It also buys time for the
person to organize their thoughts
before they begin.
Rephrase
Mr. Duez’s Rules for P.Chairs
3. Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking
By holding 3 seconds the student is being
sure that the last person is completely
done with their comment. Often
students will hesitate while thinking and
may not be finished. This is also a nice
technique to keep respect in the front of
the student’s minds.
Yield… for 3 seconds
Sample Rules for P.Chairs
4. Do not comment until the 4th
comment
If a student is giving a comment they must
wait for three other comments until they
can talk – on the 4th comment. This
gives one other person on their side a
chance to speak before they begin
again. This helps to eliminate a ‘tennis
match’ from breaking out between two
students.
Wait your turn…
Sample Rules for P.Chairs
Move!
Students should not make comments to
show support, but rather move their feet.
If a comment has been made that they
agree with, a student will get up and
move to that side of the room. They are
then moving “chairs” to show support. It
does not mean that they have changed
their mind completely. They can move
back when ready.
5.
Show support by movement
Write the rules & the question on the
board.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Stay hot for only 1 Minute
Repeat/Rephrase a 2nd Time
Hold 3 Seconds Before Talking
Do not comment until the 4th
comment
Move!
Follow the rules
Role of the moderator
The moderator should stay in the center.
 Call “time out” when a fact is wrong or if
someone is not being respectful.
 Direct and call on students who have not
yet had a chance to speak.
 Encourage the question – keep them on
topic

Closure
Give each side 30 seconds to express
their opinion
 Have them choose a speaker, give them
2 minutes to organize comments
 Flip a coin to see which side goes first
 ALWAYS have students write their
answers to the question and opinion
before and after P. Chairs (for academic
classes)

Why does it work?
Students are driving the conversation,
not the teacher.
 Multiple students have the opportunity to
talk.
 It is fun.
 No one wins, everyone does – it is not a
competition

How can I use it?
Always have students write their answer to
the P. Chairs question before you begin.
 On the flip side of their paper, have them
write:
Did my answer to the question become
strengthened, weakened, changed
completely?
Who in the class strengthened, weakened,
changed my opinion by their comments.

Possible Topics





Nothing any human being does is ever truly
selfless
Where would you rather live? Athens or
Sparta (world history)
Unclaimed animals in the pound should be
used for medical research
Every student has the opportunity to succeed
in school
Students should be able to select their own
teachers
More info:

Special Thanks to Mr. Duez for this
powerpoint!

http://www.humbleisd.net/dduez

http://www.scribd.com/doc/14091305/Phi
losophical-Chairs-Discussion
Let’s try it out!
Parents should encourage
their teenage children to
work even if the family
does not need the money.