Instructional Conversations

Used to promote academic language in conversation. Students tally how many times their peers use specifically defined vocabulary words during discussions. In authentic academic conversations, students use their knowledge and language to build up valuable ideas in a discipline. This means helping students go from simply choosing answers to posing questions, exploring different points of view, and building meanings with others.

Establish a group of four to six students
Provide a specific topic - or - allow the students to initiate a topic if able
Students elaborate by providing additional details and group members ask clarifying questions related to the topic
Group members support the ideas of one another in a respectful manner
Group members continue to build on the ideas and details provided through continued discussion and questioning, as well as challenging others in the group respectually
Students should connect the ideas discussed to real life situations and experiences for all to make connections
Finally, students paraphrase and summarize the ideas of their team members and the overall conversation of the group

Academic Discourse Starters

Instructional Aids

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