BHS ELA Instructional Guide

●​ Ensuring that there is the opportunity to consider a range of perspectives by involving many voices in the discussion and presenting a variety of perspectives. ●​ Clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions using evidence. ●​ Resolve contradictions in discussions. ●​ Determine if additional information is needed to deepen the conversation. Learning Progression Example 1. ​ Identify and research a topic, text, or issue. 2. ​ Prepare for discussion with notes, thoughts, prepared statements. 3. ​ Participate in a range of discussions (socratic seminar, fishbowl, small group) that allow students to: a. ​ Participate in a discussion using appropriate language and vocabulary by responding thoughtfully to diverse perspectives. b. ​ Ask and respond to questions in discussion. c. ​ Prompt other students to participate or present different perspectives. d. ​ In discussion students clarify, verify, or challenge ideas using evidence. e. ​ In discussion students respectfully point out contradictions in the discussion and resolve them. f. ​ Determine if there is more information needed to deepen the understanding of a topic. 4. ​ Participate in collaborations that involve decision-making and role-taking. Academic Language discourse, dialogue, active listening, evidence, support, summarize, interpret, explain Strategies to Support Teaching the Standard ●​ The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies by Cult of Pedagogy ●​ Socratic Seminar ○​ Socratic Seminar Question Types ○​ Student Guidelines example ○​ Post Seminar Reflection Questions for Students ●​ Fishbowl Discussions (Inner-Outer Circles) ●​ Literature Circles ( Student Role Sheets ) Question Stems and Prompts for Assessment ●​ What preparation or research have you done in order to fully participate in the discussion? ●​ What progress has been made as a result of the discussion? ●​ My thoughts before the discussion changed during the discussion because of ___. ●​ What role did you play in the discussion? ●​ How has new information presented in the discussion changed your views? ●​ Has the information or evidence you hear caused a change in your thinking? Additional Supports / Professional Resources Cannata, Jessica. “Authentic Group Discussions with the Real Talk Strategy.” Cult of Pedagogy , 5 Feb. 2023, www.cultofpedagogy.com/realtalk/ Zwiers, Jeff and Marie Crawford. Academic Conversations: Classroom Talk That Fosters Critical Thinking and Content Understandings . Portland, ME, Stenhouse, 2011.

Sample Student Self-Assessment (aligned to CCSS)

Last Updated August 13, 2024 ​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

High School ELA, Page 209