Meaningful classroom discussion starts with planning. First of all, a teacher must identify an issue to be discussed and prepare the discussion with the question properly framed. There is a skill to be spotlighted, and the prep work is assigned accordingly. Prior to opening up the discussion though, players in the discussion need to understand the rules of the game before they take the focus question away in an open discussion. Some time discussion could also die an early death if no one has any more to say, so it is the teacher’s role to sustain the discussion by listening to the discussion, the scaffold with a future question and monitor the participation of students to ensure that the direction they are taking could foster further discussions. Finally, the teacher will close the discussion by consolidating the issues so far, identify unanswered questions, before students are sent to reflect on the questions and assess their learning and discussion skills.