University of California
University of California Berkeley: Teaching Discussion [Pdf]
A guide for instructors on how to engage students actively in discussions. SL.9-10.1 Discussion, SL.9-10.1b Group Rules, SL.9-10.1d Possitive Communication Stratagies, SL.11-12.1 Discussion, SL.11-12.1d Resolve/Synthesize
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Introduction to Accountable Talk
For this lesson, students will take a more active role in their learning by discussing a read aloud with their partners. The teacher will become more of a facilitator in the lesson and allow the children to "wrangle" with the content.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Boundless Communications: Presenting Group Thinking
In this Boundless Communication, students will learn about group presentation formats, individuals in a group presentation should know their role and stay consistent and cooperative, and how the group prepares for the presentation....
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Philosophical Chairs Discussion
Philosophical Chairs discussions allow students to make meaning of texts while developing, defending, and supporting their claims. This resource walks you through how to implement this type of discussion in your classroom. Included are...
University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburg: Communicating Behaviors for Effective Work Groups
Successful working groups are marked by a range of different communication behaviors-actions people do with words and gestures, which they can practice and improve over time. This site lists seven behaviors to improve communication in...
Library of Congress
Loc: Photo Analysis Presenting the Statue of Liberty
The ability to examine a primary source is a gateway to building critical thinking skills and constructing knowledge. This lesson provides the students an opportunity to observe similarities and differences between 2 visual images,...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Shared Inquiry Discussion
Students learn to generate ideas with a clear focus in response to questions while participating in a shared inquiry discussion. Included are shared inquiry guidelines, and tips on discussing fiction and non-fiction books using this method.
AdLit
Ad lit.org: Extended Discussion of Text Meaning and Interpretation
Teachers should provide opportunities for students to engage in high-quality discussions of the meaning and interpretation of texts in various content areas as one important way to improve their reading comprehension.
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media: Education: Collective Intelligence (Grades 9 12)
Students analyze the statement, "The whole is better than the sum of its parts," to understand the concepts of synergy and collective intelligence. They consider both the benefits and drawbacks of using collective intelligence in...
Other
Center for Human Systems: Team Conflict How to Manage It
This site describes different kinds of conflict that occur in groups, and then it provides information on managing those conflicts. SL.11-12.1b Group Rules, SL.11-12.1d Resolve/Synthesize
Utah Education Network
Uen: Facs: Communication
This lesson will engage students in discovery learning. Through various tasks, 6th graders will learn the characteristics and challenges in daily family life that may be experienced when living independently. Communication skills are...
University of Colorado
University of Colorado: Active Listening
The site descibes what active listening is and provides some links for further study.
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Boundless Communications: Working in Groups
A lesson on leadership styles and responsibilities of working in groups.
Wisc-Online
Wisc Online: Group Discussion
We will all encounter situations where we need to work with a group of people, whether in class, business, or socially. This slideshow reviews the different types of groups and the roles each person plays in group discussions....
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Jigsaw Lit Circle Discussions
Students will participate in a discussion of a text by preparing for a literature circle. This lesson is an example of the Jigsaw Method. A student video and grading rubric are provided.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Analyzing Literary Devices With a Written Discussion
Students will be able to analyze literary devices by participating in a written discussion. This activity is called "Pass the Paper". Students pass a sheet of paper around the room, with each student adding on. It's just a different way...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: What the Heck Is That? Inferring the Purpose of an Object
In this lesson, 5th graders use their prior knowledge and inference skills to determine uses of unfamiliar objects. They participate in group discussions and analyze the key information they have in order to reach conclusions.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Sl.4.3: Identify the Reasons and Evidence a Speaker Provides
Links to 17 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.3: Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points.
Education.com
Education.com: Sl.4.3 Worksheets: Identify the Reasons a Speaker Provides
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 4 lessons that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard SL.4.3: Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular...
Education.com
Education.com: Sl.4.1.b Worksheets: Review Key Ideas and Express Own Ideas
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 6 lessons that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard SL.4.1.D: Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Sl.4.1c: Pose an Respond to Specific Questions
Links to 60 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.1c: Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks...
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Sl.4.1b: Follow Agreed Upon Rules for Discussion
Links to 57 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.1b: Follow agreed upon rules for discussion and carry out assigned roles.
Education.com
Education.com: Sl.4.1.b Worksheets: Follow Agreed Upon Rules for Discussion
[Free Registration/Login Required] A site with links to 6 lessons that can be downloaded and printed for student use while building skills with standard SL.4.1.B: Follow agreed upon rules for discussion and carry out assigned roles.
Better Lesson
Better Lesson: Sl.4.1a: Come to Discussions Prepared
Links to 36 lessons and activities that build student skills in standard SL.4.1a: Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to...