Discourse Resources

This article identifies how two teachers build toward and facilitate three types of disciplinary, whole-class, text-based discussions: Sensemaking, Argumentative, and Culminating Argumentative. It analyzes the instructional work involved in preparing students for discussions, in situating discussions within a larger context of inquiry, and in facilitating discussions in the moment, focusing on the intellectual work being done when students take extended turns of talk that build on what has been said before.

Speaking and listening are vital skills for learning to think, but they are difficult and time consuming to teach. This article looks at ways to implement discourse in the classroom.