No Talking

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“A Debate on Silence”

In this activity, students will conduct a debate for or against the silence contest, providing evidence from the text and from research.

Dave and his classmates compete to determine which gender in his class can be more silent for two days. Consider Dave and Lynsey’s rules for the contest and the obstacles the teachers must overcome because of the contest. List the pros and cons of a day of silence, citing evidence from the text along with outside research. Then use the considerations below to conduct a debate with peers.

• What are the benefits of silence?
• What are some of the drawbacks of the inability to communicate?
• How do the teachers benefit from the students’ contests?
• What obstacles do the teachers have to overcome?
• Do you think silence is something individuals should practice?

During the debate, your team will argue for or against silence using evidence from the novel and from personal research. Afterwards, compose a journal response in which you discuss the value of the opposing side’s points. What good ideas did they bring to the table? What ideas can you refute based on facts and evidence?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may want to brainstorm the pros and cons of the silence contest together to generate ideas before conducting outside research. It may be helpful for students to view videos or articles that describe what a debate is and how one should function; this opens the door to discussion about the debate format itself, and the benefits of oral arguments that are well-planned and concise—which connects to the novel’s motif of thoughtful, precise language. If a silent debate might be a more fitting choice for your group, these or similar resources could be useful.

• This NCTE resource may be helpful in generating classroom writing activities based on the idea of “Silent Conversations.” (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)
• This resource from We Are Teachers includes four simple silent discussion tactics. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing)

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may wish to test the silence contest for themselves. Consider challenging students to a 24-hour silence period during which students take journal notes to record experiences of improved cognition and other feelings they may have.