South Dakota ELA 8.SL.1.e

ELA8th GradeSpeaking & Listening

The Standard

8.SL.1: Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Cooperate, mediate, and problem solve to make decisions as appropriate for productive group discussion.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students share ideas, listen for what others need, and help their group reach a decision. When classmates disagree, they restate both views fairly and suggest a next step.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can invite a quiet classmate to speak and restate opposing views without taking sides. They can propose a workable choice and explain how it addresses the group's concerns.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think a vote is the only way to settle a disagreement, or that the loudest person should decide. Others repeat their own idea without addressing a classmate's concern.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Two classmates disagree about the best debate topic, and a third has gone quiet. Write what you would say next and how the group could choose fairly.

Lesson moves

Give groups three class party plans and a $30 budget; have them sort conflicting priorities on sticky notes and agree on one affordable plan.
Ask students to write two neutral sentences they could say when partners disagree over the opening scene of a class video.
Play mediator relay with seating-plan disputes: each student restates the last concern before offering one workable solution.
Role-play a cafeteria meeting: students request pizza daily, cooks have limited prep time, and the group agrees on a workable menu.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 8.SL.1.e, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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