Collaborative Conversation: Turn and Talk Protocol

TURN AND TALK

An oral language support strategy that provides students scaffolded interactions to formulate ideas and share their thinking with another student.

Teacher presents question.
TURN: Students turn EYE-to-EYE/KNEE-to-KNEE with the person they are talking to
TALK: Student A speaks, Student B actively listens
SWITCH: Student B responds to Student A, then Student B shares, Student A actively listens

Makes students an ACTIVE PART of whole class mini-lessons, read-alouds, and activities.
Allows all students to participate in conversations and practice speaking and listening skills.
Provides an opportunity for students to practice what the teacher has just modeled.
Gives students opportunities to talk through their thinking with a peer.

SAMPLE PRIMARY ACTIVE LISTENING ANCHOR CHART

SAMPLE INTERMEDIATE ACTIVE LISTENING ANCHOR CHART

Create and post an anchor chart with cues to teach and reinforce the process.
Explain to the students that during lessons, they will often be asked to turn to their neighbor and talk about their thinking about the text. Establish a signal to cue students to come back together after talking with a partner. Tell the students that when they turn and talk, it is very important that everyone has a partner (may be assigned by teacher).
Teacher should model turn and talk with a student. Have the students share what they observed during the teacher modeling.
Have students practice quickly finding a partner who is sitting next to them, if not already pre-assigned. Discuss how to be sure no one is left out, and what to do if an odd number of students are in the class that day (raise hand to notify the teacher or create one group of 3).
Students turn and talk about a question presented by the teacher.
Circulate among the students and listen to their conversations.
Praise students for using active listening, for sharing their ideas, and for staying on topic.

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