Choosing Stems

Worksheet Description

The Discussion Stems worksheet is a valuable educational resource that supports students in developing their conversational and critical thinking skills. The worksheet is divided into sections for speakers and listeners, providing useful sentence starters that help students articulate their thoughts and engage actively in academic discussions. Phrases such as “I’m thinking,” “I learned,” and “My opinion is” encourage speakers to share their thoughts clearly, while prompts like “Can you explain,” “Why do you think,” and “How did you decide” help listeners to solicit more information and understand different perspectives.

Additionally, the worksheet offers language tools for building on others’ ideas, expressing agreement or disagreement, and introducing new concepts in a respectful and constructive manner. Phrases like “I agree with,” “I respectfully disagree with,” and “Another way to look at it is” are instrumental in teaching students how to navigate complex discussions, respect differing viewpoints, and contribute meaningfully to collective learning. This tool is not only essential for classroom dynamics but also for preparing students to engage in thoughtful dialogue in various aspects of their lives.