1. Academic Discourse
Hand out Foldable Discourse Books and teach folds if not done ahead of time.

2. Common Core Standards SL.3.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.
b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
c. Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others.
d. Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion.

3. What is discourse? Discourse is . . . Talking about school topics
Sharing our ideas with each other
Listening to each other’s ideas

4. How does discourse look?
Go over SLANT then chart some ideas for conversational norms:
SLANT
Eye contact
Knee to knee
Signal when finished-thumbs up, high five
Sharing out-standing up
Model with teacher using a prompt: What is discourse?

5. How does discourse sound?
Go over voice volume levels. Refer to posted voice volume chart.
Chart some ideas to create conversation norms:
Voice volume
Complete sentences
Academic vocabulary
Polite interaction
Staying on topic
Model with teacher using a prompt

6. I will engage in academic discourse¹.
Objective:
I will engage in academic discourse¹.
1. Having ongoing conversations about a topic.
Academic discourse is when we _________.
Defined academic discourse as a conversation about a school subject
Have students write objective on the back of the Little Book if it isn’t already there.
Remind the students to keep it small and neat as they will be adding more to the back of the book.

7. Unpacking my thinking means ____.
Unpack Your Thinking
Think Aloud
Unpacking my thinking means ____.
Share our thinking
Open book and look at stems

8. Let’s Practice I think…..because I believe….because I predict….because
I imagine….because
In my opinion…..because
It seems to me that…...because
Not everyone will agree with me, but…….because

9. When I am paraphrasing I am ________________.
When we repeat or restate what another person says or what a text says in your own words.
Active Listener
Open book and look at stems
When I am paraphrasing I am ________________.

10. Let’s Practice If I understand you correctly, you think….
Let me see if I got this right. You are saying……..
So, your opinion is……..
In other words, you think/feel/believe that……
In other words, you are saying…..
So, you think that…….

11. Affirmations When we declare that something is true;
a positive statement or judgment

12. Let’s Practice I noticed that… I agree that…
My thinking is similar because…
I see what you mean by…
I would like to add that…
I can connect…to ….

13. Asking for Clarification
We ask for clarification when we want to make
learning clear and easy to understand.
We want to take away the confusion.

14. Let’s Practice I wonder about…? I have a question about…?
Have you thought about…?
Can you explain what you mean by...?
Can you say more about…?
Would you mind explaining that
in another way?

15. Comparing our Thoughts
Explain why you might agree with the speaker or what you did differently if you disagree.
Open book and look at stems
Comparing my thoughts means that ________________.

16. Let’s Practice I do / don’t agree with your point about…….because
I have another way of looking at this...because
I agree with …. but I don’t agree with …. because….
Have you thought about….?
I went about it somewhat differently…
My process is different / similiar….

17. Defending
Support your thinking!

18. Let’s Practice Explain how you came to that conclusion.
Could you please give me an example
to support your idea?
Can you justify your solution?
What evidence do you have that
supports your claim of…?

19. Linking I can add to that…. This _____ reminds me of _________.
I can connect …… to ………

20. Discourse and Beyond ! Prepare to take off… Fasten your seat belts…
Watch us and
Listen Carefully…
Need the 3 Discourse signs to ID
Teachers choose one of the 3 jobs

21. Choose and Give Reasons
What type of food do you prefer to eat?
State your choice
Explain your reasons:
Reason 1
Reason 2
Teacher model
I think I would perfer to eat……

22. Here we go! Your Turn!

23. Compare Our Thoughts

24. Choose and Give Reasons
If you were a scientist, which would you rather study, reptiles or mammals ?
Tell me two reasons why.
State your choice
Explain your reasons:
Reason 1
Reason 2
I would rather study…..

25. Choose and Give Reasons
Would you rather travel in a hot air balloon or in a train? Tell me why and state two reasons.
State your choice
Explain your reasons:
Reason 1
Reason 2
I would rather travel in a …

26. Choose and Give Reasons
Which do you like to do more, play board games or play outside?
Tell me why. Give me two reasons.
State your choice
Explain your reasons:
Reason 1
Reason 2
I would rather play …

27. THINK ~ WRITE ~ DISCUSS Ticket Out the Door
Explain what discourse is and how discourse will improve your learning. 27