Engaging in Collaborative Conversations
Engaging in Collaborative Conversations Objective: Students will be able to participate in collaborative conversations by actively listening to others, asking relevant questions, and expressing their ideas clearly in a group setting.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of taking turns while speaking.
- Practice asking questions about what others say to show understanding.
- Express personal ideas clearly and respectfully during group discussions.
Materials Needed
- Short story or picture book appropriate for 6-year-olds
- Paper and crayons or markers
- Timer or stopwatch
Key Vocabulary
- Collaborative
- Working together with one or more people to complete a task or share ideas.
- Conversation
- A talk between two or more people where ideas and information are shared.
- Listen
- To pay close attention to sounds or someone speaking.
Detailed Activities
Read and Discuss
- Read a short story aloud to the student or have the student read with you.
- Ask the student to share their favorite part of the story and why they liked it.
- Encourage the student to ask you a question about the story.
- Model taking turns by responding to the question and then asking the student a question.
Picture Talk
- Show the student a picture related to the story or a familiar topic.
- Take turns describing what you see in the picture.
- Ask the student to listen carefully and then repeat or add to what you said.
- Encourage the student to ask a question about the picture or your description.
Role-Playing Conversations
- Pretend to have a short conversation about a familiar topic like favorite animals or foods.
- Practice taking turns speaking and listening.
- Use simple questions and answers to encourage back-and-forth dialogue.
- Praise the student for listening carefully and asking questions.
Parent & Instructor Notes
- Encourage your child to speak slowly and clearly during conversations.
- Model good listening skills by making eye contact and responding thoughtfully.
- Be patient and give your child time to think before they answer or ask questions.
Assessment Questions
- Can you tell me one thing you liked about the story we read?
- What question can you ask me about the story or picture?
- Can you take turns with me while we talk about your favorite animal?
Extension Ideas
- Invite a family member or friend to join your conversation practice sessions.
- Create a simple conversation chart with pictures and question prompts.
- Record a short conversation and play it back to discuss what was said.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s normal for some children to feel shy. Encourage them gently by praising small efforts, and start with one-on-one conversations before moving to group settings.
Model active listening by repeating what your child says, asking clarifying questions, and minimizing distractions during conversations.
Teacher’s Guide
Common Misconceptions:
- Children may think that speaking more is better than listening during conversations.
- Some students may struggle to stay on topic or take turns naturally.
Scaffolding Ideas:
For Struggling Students:
- Use visual aids like pictures or conversation cards to guide discussions.
- Keep conversations short and focused on familiar topics.
For Advanced Students:
- Encourage students to ask open-ended questions and summarize others’ ideas.
- Introduce multi-step conversations with more complex topics.
Pacing Recommendations:
- Spend about 15 minutes on reading and initial discussion to build interest.
- Use 15 minutes for the picture talk activity to practice listening and speaking.
- Finish with 15 minutes of role-playing to reinforce conversational skills in a fun way.
Standards
- 6.SL.1a — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Printable Worksheet
Plan Your Own Lesson
Looking for a custom lesson plan? Try our Lesson Planning Generator — create standards-based plans for any topic, instantly!
Common Core Aligned Lesson Plans
Looking for another common core lesson? See all of the lesson plans here.
More Free Lesson Plans
We’re adding more every week! Check back soon or explore all our lesson plans here.
Leave a Reply