CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1
The Standard
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11—12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students prepare by reading assigned material and bringing notes, questions, and evidence. They introduce clear ideas, connect their comments to earlier speakers, and invite others into the conversation. They support claims, question reasoning, address disagreement, and help the group reach a clear conclusion.
What Mastery Looks Like
- During a discussion, a student refers to specific evidence and explains how it supports a point. The student asks useful questions, responds directly to classmates, and challenges ideas respectfully. The student can summarize agreements, disagreements, and unresolved questions.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat discussion as taking turns stating separate opinions rather than responding to one another. They may repeat evidence without explaining its relevance, interrupt to disagree, or stay silent when unsure. Some confuse persuasion with speaking loudly or dismissing opposing views.
How to Assess It
- Give triads a short editorial and six minutes to discuss its strongest claim. Use a checklist for relevant evidence, direct responses, follow-up questions, and a closing summary.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups sticky notes to map each claim, supporting evidence, response, and unresolved question during a ten-minute text discussion.
Ask students to write and discuss: “Which speaker’s idea most changed your view, and what evidence caused the change?”
Run a response-stem relay where students draw cards labeled clarify, challenge, connect, or summarize, then respond to the previous speaker.
Hold a mock school board meeting on a campus policy, assigning students stakeholder roles and requiring source-based proposals and rebuttals.
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Printable SL.11-12.1 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.11-12.1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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Where This Standard Sits
See the whole path on the Speaking & Listening progression map.
Before This Standard
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, ...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, ...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, ...
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