Students getting stuck in classroom academic discussions? Off topic? Uncomfortable? No discussion at all?

If you are looking for ways to revitalize student conversations, stretch what you already do, affirm your practice, or remember an old strategy, this simple structured academic conversation provides supports for students who struggle and space for those who accel.

Large Group Debrief and/or exit ticket:

• Tell me more…
• What was one thing you heard that you agreed?
• What was one thing you heard that you disagreed?
• Why?

Additional conversation tool for the open discussion: sentence stems (agreeing, disagreeing, clarifying, building)

Prepared pro/con arguments across disciplines: procon.org

Want someone else to try this in your classroom? A second set of hands to navigate the scene. I’d love to give it a go with you and your students…any content area. Worse case scenario, we can laugh at the failures. I’ve had plenty. Email me: [email protected]

If you would like to add a shout out to a colleague, please do so here.