Turn and Talk

Dear Staff;

At last week’s staff meeting, Lori talked about Turn and Talks and how they support several of our priority standards. Below is a condensed version of what she shared, for your convenience.  I’d like to see an increase in quality, frequency and length.  Please let Lori know if you’d like planning assistance, or if you’d like to work with her on tracking (either Lori’s teaching, or your own classroom).  Just let her know!

Thanks!

Sue

Turn and Talks

• Assign partners (A/B)
• Seating arrangement with aisle
• Determine Gradual Release
• Think Aloud- Compare your thinking to mine
• Think Together- I heard _____ say…  
• Guided Practice- Share your thinking
• Determine PURPOSE (can be more than one)
• Engage and Motivate: provides opportunity to process
• Trust and Teamwork, Routines, Engage: kids are more comfortable and likely to participate; rehearsal before going public
• Assessment: Review (what do they recall from previous teaching) and Preview (what do they already know about upcoming instruction)

3 Factors for Turn and Talk
QUALITY	1 Students answer question with “yes/no/one word”	2 Students answer question using sentence (s)	3 Student answer question by defending/explaining thinking
FREQUENCY	Every 1-2 minutes
LENGTH	not too long to respond (not everyone will finish their thinking)	give thinking stems for students with processing issues	how long with the same partner