Your words matter more than you know. ~A Snicker of Magic​ by Natalie Lloyd

Questions

Fishbowl Discussions
How can I engage my students more with this scripted curriculum I am expected to teach?
Should I choose partners for the kids or let them choose for themselves?
How can I make sure all students are contributing to group work?
How can I involve more students in our whole-class discussions?
How can I engage those students who “only put forth the effort if they’re interested”?
How can the class know the thoughts of those who don’t speak in class?
How can we ALL share ideas in order to learn from each other?
How can students learn to use more precise language when talking with each other?
How can I provide time for students to do most of the talking in class?
​How can we encourage everyone to contribute so I am not the “sage on the stage,” and I am instead the “guide on the side”?
Paul Bogush's Explanation - tinyurl.com/ShiftFishbowl
Paul's Fishbowl Rules
Academic Language Scripts
Fishbowl Discussion Phrases
Fishbowl Response Starter Hints
Fishbowl Self-Reflection
Fishbowl Participation Feedback

EdCafe

"How To" from Katrina Kennett - tinyurl.com/ShiftEdCafe
Katrina made a NEW site - all about EdCafes in the Classroom!

Backchannel Tools

Harkness Method

Further Reading

Reflection & Call to Action
A Look At The Harkness Method Of Teaching
Gallagher, K. (2015) In the Best Interest of Students: Staying true to what works in the ELA classroom. Portland, ME, Stenhouse.
Gonzalez, J. (October 15, 2015) The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies.
Holland, B. (June 10, 2014) The Backchannel: Giving Every Student a Voice in the Blended Mobile Classroom
Maiers, A. & Sandvold, A. (2011) The Passion-Driven Classroom: A Framework for teaching & learning. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Education
November, A. (2012). Who Owns the Learning? Preparing students for success in the digital age. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.

More Further Reading...

6 Tactics to Help You Turn Heated Dinner Arguments into Real
Conversations by Lenora Houseworth-Weston
8 Ways Teachers Can Talk Less and Get Kids Talking More​ 
9 Strategies for Getting More Students to Talk  by Rosie Reid
The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies by Jennifer Gonzalez
Chat Stations from Jennifer Gonzalez
Conversation Starters World
The Discussion Game from AJ Juliani
Grand Conversations from Ontario
​Ongoing Conversations from Jeff Frieden
Spider Web Discussions via Michael Matera, from Alexis Wiggins
Take a Chance  discussion idea from Tara Martin
Teaching Our Kids about the Necessary Work to Have an Opinion from AJ Juliani
Teaching Your Students How to Have a Conversation from Edutopia
The Three-Step System for Getting Students to Do the Talking  
​by AJ Juliani
Thoughts, Lingering Questions, or Epiphanies (TQEs)
​by Marisa E. Thompson (more here)
Tool for Shame or Path to Growth? How Teachers Can Do "Cold Calling" Right by Gerard Dawson
Toss a Thought from Tara Martin
          Consider recording a lesson (or a day). How much of the day do YOU speak, versus how much of the day do CHILDREN speak? What do you think of that number? If it is not acceptable for you, what could you incorporate tomorrow to help your students speak more in class?
          What discussions about content could students in your class have?
          What type of choice could you provide students when it comes to discussions?
          How will you get more students involved in your next class discussion? Consider low-risk speaking activities. How can you include student interest to engage those students who do not participate?
          How will you make your class discussions more authentic - more like "real life"? School IS real life - how can you step away from the “teacher questions & student responds” type of teaching?
          Which method do you think best fits your next unit?