Discussion

Discussions with Richard Dawkins, Episode One: The Four Horseman
$35.00
If you are already an atheist or agnostic (which, according to Prof. Dawkins, is simply an atheist who doesn't want to admit to himself what he truly is) or are simply open minded, this is a fantastic dvd with the most out spoken, well informed, and controversial voices in the new atheist movement today. Prof. Dawkins of course brings the prespective of biology and hard science, Prof. Dennett is a philosopher and brings his own views from that angle, Sam Harris is a Ph.D. candidate in the field of neurology and has studied Buddhist meditation for over a decade and brings his experience in both of those fields, and of course, for wit, humour, and just mind blowing intellect, we have the immortal Mr. Hitchens who has travelled the world in his field of journalism (including Bosnia during the genocide) and has seen the horrors that men perpetrate against one another in the name of religion. I fully agree with the other reviewers: the only thing bad about this dvd is that it is simply too short. I could listen to these guys for another five hours without becoming even slightly bored! This is a great dvd and really helps to show just where each of the authors agrees and disagrees with the others as to dispute the claim by the religious that all atheists are mindless parrots (as if reiterating the same book for the past two thousand years makes one a freethinker). If you have read any of the authors or are simply curious about this subject, purchase this dvd today. You're in for some of the best hours of your life (you get a front row seat for a chat and smoke with Hitch! How can you refuse?).

Classroom Discussion: Strategies for Engaging All Students, Building Higher-Level Thinking Skills, and Strengthening Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum
$20.99
Combined with Jeni Pollack Day's Moving Forward With Literature Circles, Classroom Discussions is a terrific resource for getting students to think critically about the skills and topics they are learning. In a day and age when students are getting enough discussion at home, this is the perfect way to allow students to talk at school while focusing on the skills and curriculum. Dixie Lee Speigel's text makes it easy to take students beyond mere conversation and into a world of higher level thinking and metacognition (thinking about thinking). Discussion, combined with reading and writing, has become the heart of my classroom environment.

The Prodigal God Discussion Guide: Finding Your Place at the Table
$9.99
Keller provides a valuable tool to help the reader comprehend and apply the truth of his superb book: The Prodigal God. This study guide augments the book and the DVD as it assists you in digging deeper into the transcendent truths of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The author furnishes solid biblical applications to warmly lead one to a greater love of God and fellow man. This is an essential resource for small groups or family devotions. I would recommend using it if you have an unbelieving spouse and God gives you the opportunity to sit down and study Keller's book with them in an intimate setting. The two of you will be changed forever. The Necessary Existence of God: The Proof of Christianity Through Presuppositional Apologetics

Discussion Starters: Speaking Fluency Activities for Advanced ESL/EFL Students
$21.95
Full of good ideas, from light to more serious, but in any case, they are interesting topics. I like the vocab review. I wouldn't use one topic as the only material in class but it's a good start, to be complemented.