One strategy that I use with my students to get them to speak and listen in an orderly way, is what I call the "Talking Stick Challenge". The objective is to get rid of your sticks as quickly as possible!
I first started to do this to get all students involved in the conversation in a fun way! In essence, it is a grand conversation with a twist. Students close read a text, and come prepared to discuss by recording pieces of thinking. Then students will partner read to clear up any confusion. Finally, the discussion begins!
Here is how it works:
Those who get out first are then able to moderate the conversation but cannot contribute.
Benefits
As you can see, this technique can have several benefits. One benefit is it allows students to practice taking and yielding the floor when they talk. Students know that they cannot speak unless a stick is traded in. Another benefit is that students are eager to participate something valid so that they can dispense of their sticks (this did not happen in the video, but students can decide whether or not a contribution is substantial to cash in a stick). Finally, it keeps tactile learners engaged! This works best with groups no larger than 10, and can be a great scaffold for beginner discussers.
How do you see this being used in your classroom? What are some things to watch out for when planning this activity?
Comment below, and happy reading :-)
I first started to do this to get all students involved in the conversation in a fun way! In essence, it is a grand conversation with a twist. Students close read a text, and come prepared to discuss by recording pieces of thinking. Then students will partner read to clear up any confusion. Finally, the discussion begins!
Here is how it works:
- Each student gets at least 2 talking sticks.
- In order to speak, the students "cash" in a popsicle stick
Those who get out first are then able to moderate the conversation but cannot contribute.
Benefits
As you can see, this technique can have several benefits. One benefit is it allows students to practice taking and yielding the floor when they talk. Students know that they cannot speak unless a stick is traded in. Another benefit is that students are eager to participate something valid so that they can dispense of their sticks (this did not happen in the video, but students can decide whether or not a contribution is substantial to cash in a stick). Finally, it keeps tactile learners engaged! This works best with groups no larger than 10, and can be a great scaffold for beginner discussers.
How do you see this being used in your classroom? What are some things to watch out for when planning this activity?
Comment below, and happy reading :-)