Common Read Discussion Questions

Discussion questions for the common read experience during first-year orientation are distributed with a copy of the book. They also appear below.  While these questions will be used to guide discussion, students should also bring their own questions about the book to orientation.

Helping Hands Day Reflection Guide

Helping Hands Day is designed to acquaint incoming student with their new campus, urban, and natural environments. It will also introduce them to the educational values of community service such as the development of collaboration and leadership skills, and personal benefits such as deeper empathy and a sense that they can contribute to the wellbeing of their community. The majority of Helping Hands Day projects were chosen based on their ability to help students draw connections between their service and Three Cups of Tea. Through understanding these benefits and connections, students will better understand the expectations and values of Westminster College. We expect that this hands-on learning experience will encourage many students to continue to be engaged during their time at Westminster College.

To make the benefits of service and the connection to Three Cups of Tea clear to your group, please consider facilitating some kind of reflection discussion during the project weather through writing, speaking, drawing, or acting. Reflection is a critical component in generating student learning through volunteerism and in producing positive attitudes about service. In fact, the lack of reflection has shown to have a strong negative impact on a volunteer’s attitude about service.

What? So What? Now What?
Using the “What? So What? Now What?” model will help you design a successful and meaningful reflection activity. Use these questions and/or questions you come up with to guide a discussion about important lessons learned.

1. What? 
   Questions: 
   What issue was being addressed or population served?
   Which of these issues also appears in Three Cups of Tea? 
   How are they similar? Different? 
   What did this project accomplish?
2. So What? 
   Questions: 
   What views do you hold that impact you perception of this experience? 
   How has reading Three Cups of Tea informed the way you view the project? 
   What did you learn about the people/community that you served? 
   How has your volunteer experiences deepened you understanding of themes found in Three Cups of Tea?
3. Now What? How will the students think or act in the future as a result of this experience?
   Some questions include: 
   What seem to be the root causes of the issue/problem addressed? 
   How does Mortenson deal with this issue in Three Cups of Tea? How do her actions or insights compare to the work you’ve done today? 
   What are others in the community currently doing related to this project? 
   What would you like to learn more about related to this project or issue?