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Talk Time Triumphs!

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Lesson Plan

Talk Time Triumphs!

Students will actively participate in a small group discussion by practicing taking turns speaking and staying focused on the designated topic.

Learning to take turns and stay on topic helps us listen to each other, understand different ideas, and make our conversations more effective and enjoyable. These skills are essential for successful group work and respectful communication.

Audience

3rd Grade Small Reading Group

Time

7 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction and guided practice through discussion.

Materials

Talk Time Triumphs! Slide Deck, and Good Listeners, Great Talkers Reading

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction (1 minute)

1 minute

  • Begin by displaying the first slide of the Talk Time Triumphs! Slide Deck.
    - Introduce the lesson by asking students: 'Who likes to share their ideas? Who likes to hear what others have to say?'

Step 2

Mini-Lesson: Taking Turns (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Use the Talk Time Triumphs! Slide Deck to explain the importance of taking turns.
    - Discuss visual cues for turn-taking, such as waiting for a speaker to finish or making eye contact before speaking.

Step 3

Mini-Lesson: Staying on Topic (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Transition to discussing staying on topic using the Talk Time Triumphs! Slide Deck.
    - Provide examples of staying on topic and going off-topic. Ask students to identify which is which.

Step 4

Guided Practice & Discussion (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Distribute the Good Listeners, Great Talkers Reading.
    - Read the short passage aloud as a group, or have students take turns reading paragraphs.
    - Lead a brief discussion about the reading, explicitly encouraging students to practice taking turns and staying on topic. Provide gentle reminders as needed. For example, 'Remember to wait for [Student's Name] to finish before you share your thought,' or 'That's an interesting point, but let's try to connect it back to what we just read.'
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Slide Deck

Talk Time Triumphs!

Let's make our conversations super awesome!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson's exciting title: Talk Time Triumphs! Explain that today, they will learn how to make their group discussions even better.

Why Take Turns?

When we talk, everyone gets a chance to share their amazing ideas!

  • Be Respectful: Show others you value what they have to say.
  • Listen to Learn: Hear new ideas and perspectives.
  • Understand Better: Everyone can follow the conversation clearly.

Ask students to share why they think it's important to take turns when talking in a group. Guide them towards ideas of respect, everyone getting a chance, and better understanding.

How to Take Turns

It's like a friendly game of catch with words!

  • Listen First: Wait until the speaker finishes their thought.
  • Look at the Speaker: Show you're paying attention.
  • Raise a Quiet Hand (if needed): A polite way to show you have something to say.
  • Acknowledge Others: Say things like, "That's a great point, [Name]!"

Explain practical ways to take turns. Emphasize visual cues and active listening. You can role-play a quick example if time permits.

Stay on Topic: Keep It Connected!

Imagine a path! Staying on topic means we stay on the discussion path.

  • What's the Main Idea? Keep your thoughts related to what we're talking about.
  • Think Before You Speak: Is what I'm about to say about our topic?
  • Help Each Other: Gently guide the conversation back if it wanders off.

Define 'staying on topic' and why it's important for productive discussions. Give clear examples of staying on topic and going off-topic relevant to 3rd graders.

Let's Practice!

Today, we're going to practice being super communicators by:

  1. Taking Turns
  2. Staying on Topic

Ready to be great listeners and great talkers?

Briefly recap the two key skills and set the expectation for practicing with the upcoming reading.

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Reading

The Forest Friends' Meeting

One sunny morning, the forest friends gathered for their weekly meeting. Barnaby Bear, their leader, tapped a stick on a hollow log. "Welcome, everyone!" he rumbled. "Today, we need to decide where to plant the new berry bushes. Who has an idea?"

Rosie Rabbit wiggled her nose. "I think near the big oak tree! The sun shines there all day, and the berries will grow big and sweet!" she said, hopping with excitement.

Flicker Squirrel chattered, "Oh, but what about the water? The stream is far from the oak tree! We need to plant them closer to the stream so they get lots of water." He bounced up and down on a branch, eager to share his thought.

Barnaby Bear smiled. "Good points, both of you! Rosie shared her idea about the sun, and Flicker shared his idea about the water. Everyone took a turn to speak, and they both talked about the berry bushes."

Then Pip Mouse squeaked, "I saw a butterfly with sparkly wings this morning! It was so pretty!" Pip loved butterflies, but Barnaby gently said, "That sounds lovely, Pip, but today we're thinking about the berry bushes. Does anyone else have an idea about where to plant them, or a reason why one spot might be better?"

Lily Owl blinked wisely. "Perhaps we can find a spot that gets both good sunshine and is close enough to the stream." She waited for others to nod before continuing, "Maybe near the whispering willows?" The friends began to discuss Lily's idea, remembering to listen and keep their thoughts on the berry bush dilemma.

It was a good meeting because everyone tried their best to take turns and focus on the important topic. Even Pip learned to connect his thoughts back to the main idea!

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