Academic Discussion Protocols

The main purpose of the academic discussion is to increase understanding for

everyone involved. Use these guidelines in both small and whole class discussions.
They are appropriate for any subject area.

Useful vocabulary:

I want to add on to what ______(classmate) said . . .

I agree with _____ because . . .

I disagree with ____ because . . .

I agree with _____ and I want to add . . .

I disagree with ____ because . . . and I want to add . . .

Dos
1. Have your notes, book, and pencil on
your desk.
2. Sit up straight.
3. Look at the speaker.
4. Listen actively.
5. Raise your hand in whole-class
discussion.
6. Support your opinion with evidence.
7. Give the page number when possible.
8. Be polite.
9. Disagree without being disagreeable.
10.Connect the text to other books,
movies, stories, or current events
(Some connections are more
valuable than others. Jane Eyre
reminds me of Princess Leia because
they both wear long dresses is NOT
a helpful connection.)
11.Use vocabulary words and literary
terms
12.Ask relevant and open ended
questions
13.Write down a question or point you
want to bring up or ask the teacher
later
14.Make comments that move the
discussion forward
15.Take risks, including the risk of being
wrong.
Donts
1. Interrupt.
2. Yell out---Even if its a good
comment.
3. Ask an unrelated,
nonemergency question.
Examples: Can I go to the
bathroom?
When are we going to ____?
I was/will be/am absent. What
did we do yesterday? Can I
go to my locker? I dont
understand the chapter we
read and discussed
yesterday.
4. Make off topic comments.
5. Hog the discussion.
6. Make a long, involved
comment about books, movies,
or stories the whole class
hasnt read.
7. Get upset if you dont get to
say everything you wanted to.
8. Forget to listen to your
classmates.
9. Simply repeat a comment your
classmate made without
adding on.
10.Be too embarrassed to try.
Student Self Assessment:

I do this well . . . I need to work on . . . Specific examples:

Beginning
of Unit

Midpoint

End of Unit

CCGPS Standards: