Maryland ELA SL.1.1.b

ELA1st GradeSpeaking and Listening

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.

Build on others’ talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges. Identify the topic of a conversation.

Maryland College and Career Ready Standards for English Language Arts (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students listen to a classmate, respond to what that classmate said, and add a related idea or question. They keep talking through several turns and name the topic of the conversation.
What Mastery Looks Like: In a talk about playground games, a student responds to a peer's suggestion and asks a related question. After several back-and-forth turns, they say the topic was playground games.
Common Misconceptions: Some students wait for their turn but give an unrelated answer, or repeat their own idea without responding to a classmate. Others name one detail, such as tag, instead of the broader topic, playground games.
How to Assess It: Ask pairs, “What should we plant in a class window pot?” Listen for six connected turns, then ask each child to name the topic and one idea they responded to.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a picture of a playground and four counters to pass back and forth as they respond to each other's ideas.
Ask, “What did your partner say about caring for a pet, and what question could you ask next?”
Play Talk Ball: toss a soft ball between partners discussing recess rules, with each catch requiring a response to the last comment.
Have pairs plan a class snack, respond to each other's suggestions, then tell the cafeteria worker what they discussed.

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