1. Extract 1: Year 7 students discussing what tolerance is
Paul - I think tolerance is accepting others opinion and making your point to them.
Ava - I think tolerance is allowing people to hold different views from you if they are sensible.
Sean - I think tolerance is being able to understand and work with other people’s points because I think that really sums it up.
Paul – I agree with Ava too.
Nancy – I’m not sure! This is hard.

2. Basic agreement – Mercer calls this ‘cumulative talk’
Students answering the question independently and without interacting – not clear if ‘discussion’ taking place or they are simply answering the question set

3. Student begins to ask questions to others and to evaluate her peer’s responses

4. Detailed responses became more regular

5. Detailed responses
Sarah evaluates Luke’s response, he replies and she continues to think through and add to her answer
Luke begins to persuade Paul

6. Student helps Amelie out after she admits to struggling
Here Dorothy asks a question back in reply to Jack

7. Examples of detailed responses and also Amelie working through her ideas
Amelie needs to recharge after all her thinking!

8. Building on another’s response and asking a question back

9. Thinking aloud?
Critical engagement?