Activities

1. Prepare for discussions by reading and studying required or related materials.
   
   
2. Follow agreed upon rules and roles for discussions.
   
   
3. Listen actively and thoughtfully to other participants’ ideas.

4. Construct discussion points based on readings, materials, and prior knowledge of the topic and/or text.
   
   
5. Formulate questions prior to discussion.
   
   
6. Justify contributions to the discussion.
   
   
7. Elaborate and make appropriate comments on other’s thoughts.

8. Construct questions to be asked of others during the discussion that draw out more information about the topic and/or text.
   
   
9. Respond to questions asked by others in the group during the discussion to further share information about the topic and/or text.
   
   
10. Combine ideas expressed in the discussion with previous knowledge about the topic and/or text and draw conclusions.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Student prepares for collaborative discussions by reading and studying materials.  These might be materials that are required and will be the basis for the discussion.  Or, they might be selected, personal materials that will help the individual student build background knowledge to prepare to better engage in the conversation.
   
   
2. During the discussion, student follows agreed upon roles and rules.  These roles and rules might be assigned by an instructor or leader.  Or, these rules might be developed by the group as part of their collaboration and discussion.
   
   
3. Student actively and thoughtfully listens to participants in the discussion.  This involves listening with an open mind, listening for meaning, and being engaged.
   
   
4. Student constructs discussion points based on readings, materials, and prior knowledge of the discussion topic.  This is done prior to the discussion.  The student may have available a detailed format for the discussion or the student may have to prepare for the discussion with less information.  Based on readings, materials, and personal knowledge, the student plans and prepares for what he/she might contribute to the conversation. He/she clarifies his/her thinking and considers evidence and support for ideas.
   
   
5. Student formulates questions for others in the conversation.  These questions would ask for information that the student hopes to learn during the discussion.
   
   
6. Student justifies his/her contributions to the discussion.  Points brought up during the discussion should be relevant and significant in regards to the topic.  In this light, the student should be able to justify why he/she contributes what he/she does toward the conversation.  The student may add new information, summarize, clarify, or question.  Again, each of these should be intentional and done with purpose.
   
   
7. Student extends the conversation by elaborating on the thinking of others.  Relevant, significant information that further extends another’s thinking is added when appropriate and meaningful.
   
   
8. Student constructs questions to be asked of others that draw out more information about the topic and/or text. These questions are created during the discussion.  The student develops these questions in response to something that has been stated during the conversation.
   
   
9. Student responds to questions asked by others in the group to further share information about the topic and/or text. This happens during the discussion and requires the student to react to what else has been said during the discussion.  The student needs to adjust and adapt what they had planned to contribute to the conversation with what has been already said and what is needed.
   
   
10. Student combines ideas expressed in the discussion with previous knowledge about the topic and/or text and draws conclusions.  During and after the discussion, the student needs to draw conclusions from what they knew prior to the discussion and what they’ve learned during the discussion.