Strategy 2: Promote Meaningful Dialogue with Sentence Frames
Sentence frames are a simple yet powerful way to support students in communicating clearly with one another. They provide students with language they can lean on during discussions, which helps them stay focused, respond respectfully, and build on each other’s ideas. Over time, sentence frames can boost confidence and encourage all students (especially those who might be hesitant to speak up) to participate more fully in collaborative conversations. Consider writing the following sentence frames on the board for students to reference: - “I agree with ____, because …”
- “I would like to add on to what [student’s name] said …”
- “I see why you might say that, but couldn’t it also be …?”
- “Can you explain what you mean by …?”
- “I have a different perspective. I think ___, because …”
- “One question I still have is …”
Just like with norms, sentence frames should be modeled and practiced first, so students feel comfortable using them before applying them in more complex group work.
Let's see this strategy in practice with Ms. Roberts
To help her students use sentence frames, Ms. Roberts writes several examples on the board, including “I would like to add on…” and “Can you explain what you mean by…?” She then role-plays a short exchange with a student volunteer, first showing what it sounds like when students simply say “I don’t get it,” then replaying the moment with the frame, “Can you explain what you mean by that?”
In Practice with Ms. Roberts
The class notices how the frame keeps the conversation respectful and focused. Ms. Roberts points out how this connects back to the norms they created together, like “ask questions” and “pay attention to others.” Students agree, and a few note that sentence frames make it easier to actually follow those norms. Next, students practice using the sentence frames in a quick, lighthearted discussion: Would you rather explore the deep ocean or outer space?
Image Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages
[old] Collaboration - Strategy 2
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Strategy 2: Promote Meaningful Dialogue with Sentence Frames
Sentence frames are a simple yet powerful way to support students in communicating clearly with one another. They provide students with language they can lean on during discussions, which helps them stay focused, respond respectfully, and build on each other’s ideas. Over time, sentence frames can boost confidence and encourage all students (especially those who might be hesitant to speak up) to participate more fully in collaborative conversations. Consider writing the following sentence frames on the board for students to reference:
- “I agree with ____, because …”
- “I would like to add on to what [student’s name] said …”
- “I see why you might say that, but couldn’t it also be …?”
- “Can you explain what you mean by …?”
- “I have a different perspective. I think ___, because …”
- “One question I still have is …”
Just like with norms, sentence frames should be modeled and practiced first, so students feel comfortable using them before applying them in more complex group work.Let's see this strategy in practice with Ms. Roberts
To help her students use sentence frames, Ms. Roberts writes several examples on the board, including “I would like to add on…” and “Can you explain what you mean by…?” She then role-plays a short exchange with a student volunteer, first showing what it sounds like when students simply say “I don’t get it,” then replaying the moment with the frame, “Can you explain what you mean by that?”
In Practice with Ms. Roberts
The class notices how the frame keeps the conversation respectful and focused. Ms. Roberts points out how this connects back to the norms they created together, like “ask questions” and “pay attention to others.” Students agree, and a few note that sentence frames make it easier to actually follow those norms. Next, students practice using the sentence frames in a quick, lighthearted discussion: Would you rather explore the deep ocean or outer space?
Image Credit: Allison Shelley for EDUimages