C

CLASS DISCUSSION
Getting EVERYONE involved - NGN
The importance of class discussion

Students need support with having robust discussions about

texts and ideas
However, sometimes it is the same 2 or 3 students who lead the
class discussion.
Students who are unable, or reluctant to contribute, are missing
out on exposure to/interaction with the opinions and ideas of
others and the opportunities to further refine and synthesise
their thinking
Why does this matter?
Set the Conditions

1.Ensure that students know that ‘opting out’ is not an option

2.You may want to have a discussion about the benefits of class

discussion and the importance of listening and contributing

3.PPT:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1orXMwfNJ0AMQwxmE99c
BurvhJZcFxM6BX7z3Wc25JOw/edit?usp=sharing

4.Give students the language of academic discussion:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qIHttOMXj-NeQhDnT71trs6-4
ke0nHp3wIoL-kKL4mc/edit?usp=sharing
 Strategy 1 - ‘Name Off The Board’
All students’ names are written/projected onto
the board and their aim is to get it ‘crossed’ or
‘ticked’ off by end of lesson by contributing to
class discussion. Steve
You can implement a small ‘consequence’ for Sam
students who don’t get their name crossed off
such as: Mel
- Being the last to leave the class

- They have to recap the last lesson or respond

to a question start of next lesson
Strategy 2 - ‘Talk Tokens’
At the beginning of the lesson, give each student
some 'tokens'. All students are given 1 to 3 ‘Talk
Tokens’. Then during the lesson, if they would like to
share a thought or ask a question, they must trade in
a token. If they shout something out, they must also
trade in a token.

In small group discussions, each time a student

wants to speak, they place their token in the center of
the group’s table. When a student no longer has
tokens, they have wait to speak until all other students
have used theirs, then tokens can be refilled by the
teacher or redistributed among group members.
Strategy 3 - ‘Could you please share your answer?’
After setting work or a task, go around
and spot check student responses/work
over shoulders.

If there are any particularly good

responses, ask student, “When I ask for
answers for X question, could you
please share what you wrote? I think it’s
a great response.”
 Strategy 4 – Set clear goals for discussion
Today, in our small group discussion
activity, the goals for each individual
are to:

• Share at least one idea

• Actively include other participants

in the discussion

• Build on an idea shared by

someone else

• Reflect on your participation and

thinking about the text
Strategy 5 – Record Participation
1. For small group discussion, assign a student to be an ‘observer’ for the group who observes and record when
they hear evidence of student participation and collaboration
Strategy 5 cont. – Record Participation