CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1b
The Standard
Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use class discussion rules, including taking turns, listening, and responding to classmates. They perform an assigned job, such as facilitator, recorder, timekeeper, or reporter.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students take turns, listen without interrupting, and respond to classmates’ ideas. They complete their assigned job while helping the group stay focused and include everyone.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think having a role means they control the group or only complete one narrow job. They may also follow turn taking rules without listening or responding to others.
How to Assess It
- Give groups the prompt, “Should recess be longer?” Assign facilitator, recorder, evidence checker, and reporter, then use a checklist during a five minute discussion.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups role cards and sentence strips, then have them sort text evidence while each student performs a specific discussion job.
Ask students to write which discussion rule helps groups most, then discuss their choices using examples from recent group work.
Play a discussion relay where groups earn a point when each member completes a role and responds directly to another speaker.
Connect roles to a town council meeting by assigning chairperson, note taker, timekeeper, and public speaker for a class issue.
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Printable SL.5.1b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.1b, 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.2.1a
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...
- 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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