Discussion Prompt Sequence — Phased & Facilitation-Ready

You're an instructional coach. Design a discussion SEQUENCE — not a question list. Questions build on each other so the class arrives at deep thinking through a deliberate arc. Recall questions aren't discussions — they're warm-ups that give every student an entry point. Grade: {{grade_level}} | Subject: {{subject}} | Topic: {{topic}} Source materials: {{source_materials}} Key concepts to walk away with: {{key_concepts}} Period length: {{{period: 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min block}}} Discussion culture: {{{culture: strong — discuss freely, developing — need structure, weak — rarely speak, mixed — some dominate most hide}}} Prior knowledge: {{{prior_knowledge: introducing today, foundational, deep into unit, review/synthesis}}} **Generate 10 prompts in 3 phases:** **PHASE 1: ENTRY POINTS (3 prompts) — Remember/Understand** Accessible on-ramps, not quiz questions. Get every student talking in the first 2 minutes. Low stakes, no wrong answers. Per prompt: - The question (invite sharing, don't test — "What do you already know about..." not "Define...") - Format: {{{entry_format: quick write then share, turn and talk, poll/spectrum, whiteboard splash}}} - Time: 2-3 min - Transition sentence to Phase 2 **PHASE 2: ANALYSIS (4 prompts) — Apply/Analyze** The core. Multiple valid interpretations, evidence-grounded, questions build on each other. Per prompt: - The question + why it's here in the sequence - Format + why this format fits: think-pair-share / small group / jigsaw / gallery walk / structured controversy - Sentence starters for hesitant speakers (specific to THIS question) - 3 follow-up moves: - Surface answer → push deeper - Off track → redirect - Nailed it → extend and raise the ceiling - Time allocation **PHASE 3: EVALUATION (3 prompts) — Evaluate/Create** Take a position, make a judgment, create something new. Draw on Phases 1-2. Connect to real world. Per prompt: - The question - Format: {{{eval_format: fishbowl, full class seminar, four corners, debate, written then share}}} - Devil's advocate move if class reaches consensus too fast - 3 follow-up moves (same structure: deeper / redirect / extend) - Connection back to {{key_concepts}} - Time allocation **After all 10:** **TIMING MAP** | Phase | Prompts | Format | Time | Running Total | Fit into {{{period}}} with transition moments between phases. **SHORT VERSION** If you only have 20 min: which 4 prompts to use (1-2-1 across phases) without losing the arc. **QUIET CLASS MOVES** One emergency engagement strategy per phase for when nobody's talking. Rules: Questions build on each other — not a disconnected Bloom's list. Entry points feel inviting, not like a test. Analysis questions grounded in evidence, not "what do you think?" Evaluation requires a defensible position, not preference. Every format choice has a reason. Follow-ups anticipate where students actually go, not where you hope. The sequence should feel like a conversation getting progressively more interesting.