CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1b
The Standard
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students follow shared rules during partner, group, and class discussions. They take turns, listen closely, stay on topic, and respond respectfully to others.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students wait for an appropriate turn, listen without interrupting, and speak clearly about the topic. They respond to a classmate’s idea with a relevant comment or question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think listening means staying quiet while planning their own response. They may interrupt, speak off topic, or repeat an idea without responding to the previous speaker.
How to Assess It
- In groups of four, have students discuss, “Which character made the best choice?” Use a checklist to record turn-taking, careful listening, and on-topic responses.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give each group a talking token, and have students place it in the center when they take a turn discussing a short text.
Ask students to write one rule that helps everyone be heard, then explain why the rule matters to the group.
Play Discussion Detective, where observers tally respectful turns, interruptions, on-topic comments, and responses that connect to another speaker.
Compare class discussion rules with turn-taking during a team meeting, family conversation, or community council meeting.
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Printable SL.3.1b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.1a
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1b
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.1a
The 2nd Grade version of this standard.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.K.1a
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion).
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