Academic Talk

Speaking and Listening - 6th Grade Literacy

Make a Prediction...

Think about what the word ACADEMIC means. What do you think of when you hear the word ACADEMIC?Now, predict what you think ACADEMIC TALK might mean. Write your prediction in your notebook.

Academic Talk is...

Specific and relevant conversation that promotes learning. Specific = you will focus on a particular text or topic Relevant = meaningful and focused

Academic Talk is NOT...

Arguing with othersTalking about random topicsInterrupting othersOne person doing all the talkingLetting others do all the work

No Hogs, No Logs

All students participate...

You will participate in the Academic Talk discussion using DISCUSSION STEMS.

Discussion Stems

When you agree or want to add more…I agree with _______, because

________.I think another reason is __________.I want to add to what ____ said

about____.To expand on what _____said

_________.Based on my evidence, I think

_________.

Discussion Stems

When you disagree or need clarification…I disagree with that

because_________.I still have questions about

__________.That idea doesn’t make sense

because ___.I’m confused about _______.I don’t know what you mean by

________.What evidence do you have to

support that?

Discussion Stems

To encourage participation…Can anyone add to that idea?What do you think, _________?Who else noticed something about

______?

Discussion Stems

To recognize someone else’s hard work…Thanks for explaining that, ______.That’s a great idea, ________.________, you did a nice job on

_______.

My Expectations...

1. Allow others to speak without interruption.2. Listen attentively to one another.3. Come to the discussion prepared so that you can actively participate. (read the assigned text, think about the questions, write your answers, use text evidence to support your answers)

How will you be graded?

T = Talk in a library level voiceA = Actively participate (no hogs, no logs)S = Stay focusedK = Keep your comments positive by using your discussion stems

TASK

Let’s Look at An Example!

Watch this video of two teachers modeling Accountable Talk. What discussion stems do you hear them using?

Let’s Practice!

Today you will read an article called “I Use A Robot To Go To School”. 1st Read - Independent2nd Read - With Partner3rd Read - With TeacherLet’s look at some of the vocabulary that you will encounter while reading.

VocabularyAnaphlylaxis - a sudden, severe, life-threatening allergic reactionVigilance - the state or quality of being watchful and alertScrutinized - to examine or study something very closelyEpiPen - a medical device that can be used to inject a measured dose (or doses) of epinephrine, medicine that treats allergic reactions. An EpiPen is about the size and shape of aMagic Marker and it has a needle at one end.

Questions to Consider

#1 - Consider the large picture on pg. 17. What mood does it convey? What can you infer about Lauren’s friends? What evidence from the picture helps you make your inference?

#2 - How did Lauren’s allergy affect her when she was younger compared with now? Use text evidence to support your answer.

#3 - Read this line from pg. 18. “...dairy products can lurk in all sorts of unexpected places…” What effect does the word lurk create in this sentence?

Preparing for Accountable Talk

After reading the article, we will answer questions 1 and 2 together.

You will answer #3 on your own, then discuss your answer with your group using Academic Talk. Let’s review our Discussion Stems and Expectations.

Video: I Use A Robot To Go To

SchoolClick Here To View Video1. Lauren says, “Most people find it surprising that Doritos have dairy in them.” What does this statement reveal about the challenges of having a severe allergy?

2.The narrator says, “The VGo makes it possible for Lauren to interact with her classmates as if she were sitting right there with them.” How does the video support this statement?

Let’s Analyze Another Text

Today, we will read the article “What Causes Allergies?”. 1st Read - Independent2nd Read - With Partner3rd Read - With TeacherLet’s look at some of the vocabulary you will encounter while reading.

Vocabulary

Comprises -to include or contain Pathogens - something (such as a bacteria or virus) that causes infection or disease

Question to Consider

In the first two paragraphs, the author uses a metaphor that compares the immune system to an army. How does this metaphor help the reader understand allergic reactions?

You will answer this question independently.

Academic Talk

After answering the question about “What Causes Allergies?”, you will discuss the answer with your group using Academic Talk. You will be graded using the TASK Discussion Rubric.Let’s review the Discussion Stems, Expectations, and TASK.

TASK