Talk it Up Strategies to Improve Classroom Discussions

Talk it Up: Strategies to Improve Classroom Discussions Tori T. Simmons Secondary ELA Coach, RCSD One Induction Symposium July 10, 2014

Strategy #1 Poll Everywhere Poll #1 Poll #2

Strategy #2 Four Corners Stand in the area of the room next to the letter of your corresponding answer for the statement below: Class discussions are too difficult to implement. a) Agree b) Strongly Agree c) Disagree d) Strongly Disagree

The High Cost of Disengagement “Train teachers to call on only students who raise their hands and to build correct responses to maintain a brisk classroom pace. This would enhance the self confidence of already proficient students and minimize class participation and engagement among those who enter with lower proficiency. ” Kim Marshall, A How to Plan for Widening the Gap

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Strategy #3 Four A’s Protocol O Get into groups of four O Read the article in your packet entitled “My Students Don’t Know How to Hold a Conversation” O As you read, the article, mark the text for the following: O Agreements O Assumptions O Arguments O Aspirations -

Pause, Think, and Jot When might you use the following strategies: • Poll. Everywhere • Four Corners • Four A’s Protocol

Strategy #4 Text Rendering Protocol 1. Underline the sentence 2. Place a box around the phrase 3. Circle the word

Strategy #5 Discussion Stems

Strategy #5 Cont’d Discussion Stems

Strategy #6 Inside/Outside Circle 1. Place students into two circles – 2. 3. 4. 5. one inside and one outside. Pose a question to the inside circle. For the next few minutes, the inside circle discusses questions while the outside circles takes notes on what they hear and how they might respond. Inside/outside switches. The outer circle now has the opportunity to discuss any point not already mentioned or may respond to points that were already stated. Two to three rotations should suffice.

Pause, Think, and Jot When might you use the following strategies: • Text Rendering Protocol • Talk Moves • Inside/Outside Circle

Strategy #7 Socratic Seminar (Modified) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Choose a text(s) for students to read. Allow time for reading in class or as homework. Create an open-ended question for to students must choose a side and then support their opinion with evidence from the reading(s). Students complete their pre-discussion form to use during the seminar. Set-up a circle in the room. Give each student one minute to provide their an answer with supporting evidence. Continue going around to allow students to rebut, add to, or question their classmates (use of talk moves here).

Strategy #8 Plickers Classroom Clickers System and QR Codes Combined Turn your Plicker code sheet so your letter choice is at the top of the page. Hold the paper still until I capture the image. Class discussions are too difficult to implement. a) Agree b) Strongly Agree c) Disagree d) Strongly Disagree

Remember … “Whoever is doing the talking is doing the learning. ”

Contact and Evaluation Information Tori Simmons Center for Educator Quality Richland School District One tosimmons@richlandone. org 803. 400. 1669 Using the barcode reader on your phone, please scan the QR code and complete the session evaluation.