Successful Students Superior StandardsSupportive School Climate Collaborative Academic Conversations Professional Development Session 4: Fall 2013 Valley

Get

ting

to th

e C

ore

Successful StudentsSuperior Standards Supportive School Climate

Collaborative Academic Conversations

Professional DevelopmentSession 4: Fall 2013

Valley High School Where Falcons SOAR!!!

Big Idea: Collaborative academic conversations

empower students to communicate well in a variety of situations.

Essential Questions:• What 21st century collaboration skills are

needed to sustain purposeful conversations and be successful members of society?

• How do we move students beyond “talk” to academic conversations?

• How do conversation skills transfer to academic reading and writing in all content areas?

• How can academic conversations demonstrate Depth of Knowledge?

Purpose of Today• Reflect on if your students and classroom

are prepared for Collaborative Academic Conversations.

• Clarify what a “Collaborative Academic Conversation” looks like. It’s not just talking.

• Give you actual techniques you can use in your classroom to start exploring Collaborative Academic Conversations.

Classroom Reflection (Page 4)Think about the first few weeks of school and some of the norms and collaborative activities that you have begun with your students.

Positives Challenges Changes

What have been the positives or successes that you have had in your classroom?

What have been the challenges?

What changes still need to be made? Brainstorm with an elbow partner and record your results on page 4.

Get

ting

to th

e C

ore


09000 3 87654321520 04 98765432103 9876543210987654321021 987654321098765432100Hours Minutes Seconds

Countdown Clock

Get

ting

to th

e C

ore



Countdown Clock

Get

ting

to th

e C

ore



Countdown Clock

Classroom Reflection (Page 4)Think about the first few weeks of school and some of the norms and collaborative activities that you have begun with your students.

Positives Challenges Changes

What have been the positives or successes that you have had in your classroom?

What have been the challenges?

What changes still need to be made?Brainstorm with an elbow partner and record your results on page 4.

After brainstorming, share with your colleagues.

Reading with a FocusPlease read “Accelerating Oral Language with Academic Conversations” paragraphs 1-6 on page 6.

1. According to Zwiers, what makes conversations academic?”

2. According to the researchers, what challenges didstudents face when starting academic conversations?

3. Please record your answers on page 5.


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock

What was the main point of the article?

Jigsaw Expert GroupsFirst: Number off 1-5 Next: Read the assigned skill description from pages 12-28. Take notes as you see fit on page 11.

• #1: Elaborate and Clarify (p. 13-15)• #2: Support Ideas with Examples (p. 16-20)• #3: Build on or Challenge Partner’s Ideas (p. 21-24)• #4: Paraphrase (p. 25-26)• #5: Synthesize Conversation Points (p. 27-28)THEN: Complete the Comparison/Contrast Matrix on page 12 for your skill with your expert group. LAST: Share with your Home Group.


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock


Countdown Clock

Questions/Activity Response

1. Provide a short definition for the skill.

2. How can the skill be developed in the classroom?

3. What is one of the benefits/purposes of the skill for all students?

4. Identify one way that you have seen this skill being used in a classroom.

Reading With A Focus#1:

Elaborate

#2: Support

Ideas #3: Build on

or Challeng

e

#4: Paraphra

se#5:

Synthesize

Comparison/Contrast Matrix

Description of Skills

Application of Skill Additional notes (what are activities you can use to implement this

skill?)Elaborate and Clarify (p. 13-15)Support Ideas with Examples (p. 16-20)Build On or Challenge Partner’s Ideas (p. 21-24)Paraphrase (p. 25-26)Synthesize Conversation Points (p. 27-28)

What You’re Taking Away• Knowing the 5 Conversation Skills

(Elaborate and clarify, Support ideas with examples, Build on and Challenge, Synthesize, Paraphrase)

• Several activities about how to incorporate each skills into your content(all articles are in the packet for rereading)

• Rubric to have students evaluate their own conversations

• Recognize the importance of collaborative conversations as improving speaking and listening skills directly transfers to improving reading and writing skills!

Next Steps…• Incorporate the 5 Conversation skills (one at a

time) into your lessons (academic & homeroom)

• Keep working with your students on these skills. Try them again and again!

• Collaborate with CLAS [email protected]

(Here most Tuesdays/Thursdays in 8-4)

Documents

Successful Students Superior StandardsSupportive School Climate Collaborative Academic Conversations Professional Development Session 4: Fall 2013 Valley