Responding Thoughtfully

Worksheet Description

The Discussion Stems worksheet provides students with a scaffold to enhance their participation in academic discussions. The worksheet is organized into four sections: Soliciting a Response, Acknowledging Ideas, Affirming, and Holding the Floor, each offering various prompts to guide students in conversational exchange. Under Soliciting a Response, questions like “What do you think?” and “Do you agree?” invite peers to share their perspectives, promoting an inclusive dialogue. Acknowledging Ideas, with phrases such as “My thoughts are similar to ___’s” and “I support ___’s idea because…”, fosters a respectful acknowledgment of others’ contributions.

In the Affirming section, stems such as “I agree that ___” and “That’s an interesting idea” allow students to show agreement and appreciation for others’ points of view. The Holding the Floor section, featuring phrases like “As I was saying, ___” and “If I could finish my thought,” helps students maintain the flow of their ideas without interruption. By using this worksheet, students can build their communication skills, learn to constructively contribute to discussions, and develop the ability to listen actively and respond thoughtfully to their classmates.