Classroom Climate and Student Discourse

How can teachers set the stage for success prior to using "academically productive talk" with Word Generation?

Cathy O'Connor comments:

• Establishing the rules for respectful discourse 

• Establishing the conditions for equitable participation

 

 

How can teachers establish these conditions?

• Have clear rules about turn-taking 

• Attend to patterns of turn allocation 

• Encourage students who tend to avoid talk 

• Model turn-taking practices that support different kinds of participation

Establishing this type of discourse-intensive classroom takes serious commitment from the teacher.