Core SixCircle of KnowledgeCircle of knowledge provides teachers with a strategic framework for planning and conducting discussions that foster student participation and critical thinking.

In a Nutshell

Oral communication is a crucial 21st century skill. Students need ample opportunities to participate in rich, structured conversations in class.

Circle of knowledge develops students’ thinking through writing and effective questioning techniques. Students meet in groups to evaluate ideas before participating in a larger discussion.

Circle of knowledge builds collaborative and interpersonal skills by gradually giving students the practice and support they need.

Three Criteria for Successful Discussions-where students come to life; ideas get taken apart/put

back together; teacher gets a wealth of formative assessment data

A high degree of student participation

A strong focus on essential content

High levels of thinking

Moves for Increasing Participation Allow students to share ideas in small groups

Consider giving student groups a specific task Use a variety of recognition techniques such as:

Student calling Round robin Sampling Redirection

Court controversy-build discussion around provocative ideas

Get students personally and actively involved

Moves for Keeping Focus

Integrate note making into discussions Record responses and summarize

frequently Jot down ideas on the board Direct students to restate previous

remarks in order to clarify the discussion

Have students stop and paraphrase the ideas every five minutes.

Moves for Encouraging High Levels of Thinking

Encourage students to stop and think about the discussion question. Impulsiveness is the enemy of deep thinking!

Use Q-Space to shape discussions Q-Question S- Silence and wait time P-Probe A- Accept C-Clarify E-Elaborate

Ask students to reflect on the discussion and the quality of their contributions.

Discussion Report Card

To build metacognitive and reflective habits in students, create a discussion report card. Please see attached.

Students can review the report card before the discussion, refer to it during the discussion and use it to assess their performance afterward.

  Not At All Somewhat Considerably Extensively

I took at position, explained it clearly, and used evidence to support my ideas. 

       

I willingly answered people’s questions about my position, and I respectfully explained or defended my position when asked. I also asked my classmates to clarify or justify their positions when appropriate.

       

I listened actively and respectfully to my classmates’ positions. I also compared and contrasted their ideas with my own.

       

I kept an open mind and was willing to modify my own position. 

       

Throughout the discussion, I summarized in my mind the things that others had said.

       

I was actively involved in the conversation.  

       

Effective Discussion Report CardName: ___________________________ Date:____________Discussion Topic: ________________________________

The Core Six: Essential Strategies for Achieving Excellence with the Common CoreBy: Harvey F. Silver, R. Thomas Dewing, and Matthew J. Perini