When you want your students to discuss something as a whole class, get them to pass the talk to each other – basketball style, rather than always have them pass it back to you – ping-pong style.
Image by Hvd69, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There are several benefits to doing this:
Pupils start to listen to what others are saying.
They look at each other when they speak.
They support or challenge each other’s points.
It gives you as the teacher the opportunity to listen and think about what they are saying.
Whole-class talk from Ping-Pong to Basketball
Ways to ensure you are creating an equitable learning environment
I highly recommend this series of videos from the Inquiry Project
The impact of making sure every student’s voice is heard
Pupils reflect on how using a ‘talking stick’ helps them take turns
“They didn’t want to stop!” Play this engaging game with your students to develop listening and collaborative thinking
A teacher talking about why she changes pairings in her class every week
Thoughts from some ten year-olds on the power of oracy approaches
Professor Lauren Resnick on ‘accountable talk’ classrooms
Seasonal versions of some well-known oracy games
Learn how to embed excellent oracy practice – programme starts Fri 16 Jan
