CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1c

ELAGrades 9–10Comprehension and Collaboration

The Standard

Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

What This Standard Means

Students need to move a discussion forward, not just take turns talking. They should ask questions that connect one comment to a bigger theme, invite quieter classmates in, and respond by clarifying, checking, or respectfully challenging ideas.

Mastery looks like a student saying, “How does that connect to justice in the text?” or “Maya, your note links to this. What do you think?” Students often get stuck making comments only about their own opinion, asking yes-or-no questions, or disagreeing without using evidence or a clear reason.

Ways to Teach It

Use discussion role cards labeled connector, inviter, clarifier, verifier, and challenger during a 10-minute fishbowl on a short article.
Prompt students to write two questions that connect today’s discussion to a larger theme, then use one during seminar.
During discussion, tally each student’s use of an inviting, clarifying, verifying, or challenging sentence stem on a checklist.
Connect the skill to a team meeting by having students discuss how group members keep planning talks focused and fair.