“I disagree with myself”

I love that moment in P4C when a child announces that they disagree with themself! This shows that a student has been actively listening to what others are saying. They are reflecting on what they thought at the beginning of the session, and considering how others’ opinions fit with that. They are reconsidering their initial thinking.

Disagreeing is a great sign in any lesson because it shows that someone is thinking deeply – thinking for themself.

Do you provide opportunities in your lessons for pupils to disagree?

 
More on listening
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My forthcoming Oracy book

Now available to pre-order from Bloomsbury

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What does collaborative thinking look like in P4C?

A detailed description including building, helping, sharing and working together

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Can you listen with your hand up?

It’s great that they are motivated to speak next, but are they really listening?

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Have your class agreed ground rules for P4C?

How do they want to behave to become great 4C thinkers?

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Six ways to improve listening

…especially pupil-to-pupil listening

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Choral speaking in P4C?

Get everyone listening and engaged with the big ideas and questions

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Shut the door!

Create the conditions for effective whole-class dialogue

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How good is your teacher listening?

Show your pupils that you are trying to understand their thinking

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Minute of Listening – an amazing free resource

A fantastic, free resource to help your pupils develop their creative listening skills

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"Oracy has made me confident"

Four pupil quotes show the impact of prioritising oracy

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“They always listen to my ideas”

Ask your class about how to communicate well with a partner

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Oracy game – speaker and maker

Pupils instruct each other to make a hidden model

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What do you think about what Janie said?

Help your pupils actively listen to each other

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Assume nothing!

Assumptions are the enemy of high expectations

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Active listening

Ways to make sure your pupils are engaged with what is being said

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Is your classroom talk Ping-Pong or Basketball?

The advantages of getting students to pass the talk to each other

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Public speaking

Six things you can do to help pupils gain the skills and confidence to speak to a room full of people

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The Beanbag Game

Oracy skills, fun, and a little bit of chaos!

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“I disagree with myself”

When pupils reconsider their thinking as a result of listening to others

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It helps me to be louder

Pupil voice about ‘The Volumiser'

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"It helps you realise when you've got it wrong"

What do children think about Oracy?

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P4C games to develop different skills

Fun plus learning

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P4C for children with SEND

Strategies to help as many pupils as possible access philosophical enquiry

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The Volumiser – Oracy tip from a colleague

How one Salford teacher has improved oracy in her classroom using The Volumiser!

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Just like the teachers...

A piece of hard-hitting pupil voice

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Check your class – Oracy tip

Empower pupils to expect their peers to pay attention

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What makes a good talk partner?

Why not ask?

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Reflective learners – are you becoming a better talker?

20 questions for pupils to consider

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Oracy Cambridge resources

More useful resources, including a Talk Tally to get pupils listening closely

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Last three to speak

A simple way to improve listening and deepen dialogue