Most of my classes are discussion driven.  I believe students learn from other students almost as much as they can learn from the teacher, sometimes more.  I usually have my classes do research on a topic in teams, then present their topic (or rather, teach a lesson on that topic) to the whole group.  Afterwards, I have my kids do either whole group study of a reading selection or individual study.  When they have finished that task, we convene again as a whole group and discuss the themes we have read.  I check for comprehension and understanding in the whole group discussion, and move on as appropriate after I feel they have mastered that particular assignment.  As my own addition, I try to make all lessons relevant to their lives.  I know a large portion of non-English-majors believe reading old fiction isn't helpful at all, but I try to keep our lessons relevant to my teenagers' lives.