Did anyone notice Notice first the part that

Did anyone notice … ?

Notice first the part that is correct.

Draw attention to their learning histories. What do you think you need to work on next?

Write down a line you wish you had written.

What are you noticing? … Any other patterns or things that surprise you?

Use identity labels … writer, poet, mathematician, researcher, good reader.

That’s not like you.

I wonder if, as a writer etc, you’re ready for this.

I bet you’re proud of yourself.

What are you doing as a writer today?

What have you learned most recently as a reader?

How did you figure that out?

What problems did you come across today?

How are you planning to go about this?

Where are you going with this piece (of writing)?

Which part are you sure about and which part are you not sure about?

Why?

One of the things people do when they start a story is think of what they know. Mathematicians do this too … Let’s try it.

How else can we solve this?

That’s like …

What if …?

Let’s see if I’ve got this right.

Any questions? Let’s start with these.

Silence.

Is there anything you might do differently?

Thanks for straightening me out.

That’s a very interesting way of looking at it. I hadn’t thought about it. I’ll have to think some more.

How did you know?

How could we check?

Would you agree with that?

Is that an observation or conjecture?

We.

Who else would like that book?

How do you think she/he feels about that?

Any compliments?

You guys say such important things, it amazes me you would talk while others are talking.

I wonder …

Are there any other ways to think about that? Any other opinions?

What are you thinking? Stop and talk to your neighbor about it.

You managed to figure that out with each other’s help. How did you do that?

• Choice Words by Peter Johnston