Maryland ELA SL.1.1.a
The Standard
- SL.1.1
- Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. 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). Create rules to ensure respectful group discussions. Build on others’ talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges. Identify the topic of a conversation. Ask questions to clear up any confusion about the topics and texts under discussion. Identify the topic or text under discussion.
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). Create rules to ensure respectful group discussions.
Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts (2025)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students help make rules for group talk. They listen to classmates, take turns speaking, and stay on the shared book or topic.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can suggest a rule such as letting a classmate finish. During a discussion, they wait, then respond to something a classmate said.
Common Misconceptions
- Some students think listening means staying quiet, even if they are not following what someone says. Others interrupt because they have an idea, or change the subject when it is their turn.
How to Assess It
- Ask pairs to agree on one talk rule, then discuss a picture from a read-aloud for one minute. Listen for turn-taking and a response connected to the picture.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a talking token and a book picture; have them agree on two rules, then pass the token as they discuss the picture.
After a read-aloud, ask, "What should we do when a classmate is speaking, and why?"
Play Talk Turn: show a picture, let one child name a detail, then have the next child repeat it before adding another.
Role-play choosing a book for the class library; agree on two talk rules, then take turns giving reasons before making a choice.
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Printable SL.1.1.a Worksheet
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