Talk Resource Tools: Partner Conversational Supports
We have constructed two kinds of table conversational supports: Sharing and Building on Each Others’ Ideas and Idea Coaching to Clarify and Explain.
- The Sharing and Building on Each Others’ Ideas table conversational support helps students use each other’s ideas by engaging in the talk practices of clarification, pressing for evidence, and extending thinking and reasoning. This support can be used whenever students are engaged in sensemaking work around modeling a phenomena, understanding a practice or reading a text.
- The Idea Coaching to Clarify and Explain table conversational support can be used when students are taking turns to help each other clarify their thinking. This is particularly useful if they are using the "idea coaching" activity format, described as part of STEM Teaching Tool #35.
Format:
We have provided two versions of our table based conversational supports: Table Tents and Side-by-Side Talk References. Both of these resources are printed at the 8.5”x11” size.
- Table Tents should be printed on cardstock, if possible, and are folded in half length wise (hot dog style). These tents sit between students as they talk and can be turned around if there is a role reversal in the organization of the talk activity. Table tents work best when students are sitting across from one another or there is reason to ensure students have eye contact with each other.
- Side-by-Side Talk References can be printed double-sided on regular paper and are laid flat on the desk between two students sitting next to one another. The resource can be flipped over when there is a role reversal in the organization of the talk activity.