Blogs The scenes we see in movies and TV shows, where students engage in perfectly organic, flowing discussions, are enough to intimidate even the most savvy teachers. Let’s be honest: meaningful classroom discussions are hard. They take planning, patience, and a willingness to let go of some control. Yet despite the challenges, strong discussions can be one of the most powerful tools we have to deepen student understanding and engagement.
Do I Really Have Time for These Types of Discussions?
While the up-front “cost” of a class discussion can feel high, the payoff is worth it. When students hear information presented in a variety of ways (especially from their peers), it is much more likely to stick. Although a 30-minute class discussion may feel like a big time commitment, it takes less time than reteaching the same concept for 15 minutes, three separate times.
My Students Don’t Talk!
Or maybe your students love to talk, just not about the content. Often, students are far more adept at discussing the latest TikTok trend or an upcoming field trip than today’s lesson objective. Sometimes, a bit of intentional structure is needed to steer students toward focused, content-rich conversation. Check out this article from Betsy Butler to learn more about structuring productive classroom discussions: 7 Discussion Tips to Get Students Talking and Building the 4 C’s.
The Same Students Talk!
There are many reasons students may be hesitant to speak in class: anxiety, lack of engagement, low academic confidence, and more. Whatever the reason, there are ways to make discussions more inclusive. After posing a question, have students discuss their thinking in partners or small groups first. As they talk, check in with a few students who don’t often share and ask if they’d be comfortable contributing when the class comes back together. You can also incorporate “lower-lift” questions with no wrong answer, such as “What did you do this weekend?” or “Which problem would you prefer to work on first?”
I Don’t Know How to Start
As with many things in life, starting is the hardest part. To jump start a class discussion, come prepared with a short list of open-ended questions allowing for multiple perspectives, such as, “How did you solve this problem?” or “What stood out to you from the text?”
Taking small steps to enhance classroom discussions can make a big difference in how students learn. If you’re interested in promoting deeper discussion, especially in the young mathematics classroom, check out our updated course, 5852-1: Leading Intentional Talk with Young Mathematics Students.
About the Author
Amy Szczepanski (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.S. in both Biology and Environmental Science, a Master’s in Teaching, and has been teaching since 2014. Amy uses her experience to create highly engaging and effective content for both teachers and students. She loves all things STEM and is passionate about teacher advocacy.
Fun Fact: Amy’s favorite hobby is taking long walks through New York City searching for delicious treats.
