Higher-Level Participation

Worksheet Description

The “Higher-Level Discussion Stems” worksheet is an essential teaching resource designed to foster critical thinking and articulate dialogue in the classroom. This worksheet is divided into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of discussion such as ‘Disagree,’ ‘Agree,’ ‘Build On,’ ‘Paraphrase,’ ‘Summarize,’ and ‘Clarify.’ These prompts provide students with language structures to engage in sophisticated conversations and express complex ideas.

The ‘Disagree’ and ‘Agree’ sections include stems like “The evidence I have seen suggests something different,” and “I agree with ___, because ,” which help students present their viewpoints with evidence and reasoning. The ‘Build On’ section encourages students to expand on others’ ideas with phrases like “Yes. And furthermore,” fostering a deeper exploration of topics. The ‘Paraphrase’ section contains stems like “Put another way, you’re saying that ___,” which are crucial for ensuring understanding and restating others’ ideas in one’s own words. The ‘Summarize’ and ‘Clarify’ sections provide stems such as “Overall, I’m trying to say ___,” and “Could you give me your thesis?” which are key for distilling conversations to their essence and seeking further explanation. This worksheet is a versatile tool, promoting respectful discourse and enhancing students’ ability to engage in meaningful discussions.