Virginia SOL 10.C.2.A.ii
The Standard
Using active listening and speaking strategies effectively with awareness of verbal and nonverbal cues (e.g., appropriate facial expressions and posture).
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Speaking and Presentation of Ideas
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students give an organized oral report or opinion and support it with clear reasons or evidence. They listen closely and adjust their words, tone, pace, posture, and expressions based on audience cues.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students organize their ideas, speak clearly, and support a claim with relevant details. They use natural eye contact, facial expressions, posture, pace, and volume, then respond thoughtfully to questions or reactions.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think active listening means staying silent or making constant eye contact. They may read from notes, use forced gestures, or miss cues such as confusion, hesitation, and changes in tone.
How to Assess It
- Prompt: “Should schools limit student phone use during class?” Give a 60 second response, then paraphrase a partner’s response and answer one follow-up question.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs present the same claim with closed and open posture, then compare how each version affects the listener’s interpretation.
After a brief peer speech, write one verbal cue and one nonverbal cue that showed confidence, confusion, or disagreement.
Play Cue Switch, where audience members show confused, interested, or skeptical cards and speakers adjust their pace, explanation, or evidence.
Hold a mock school board meeting where students propose a schedule change, read panel reactions, and answer follow-up questions.
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Printable 10.C.2.A.ii Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 10.C.2.A.ii, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 11.C.2.A.iii
Using a variety of active listening and speaking strategies, with awareness of intent and impact of verbal and nonverbal cues.
- 11.C.1.A.i
Applying a variety of strategies to listen actively and speak purposefully and respectfully.
- 10.C.1.A.i
Applying a variety of strategies to listen actively and speak purposefully and respectfully.
- 9.C.2.A.ii
Using listening and speaking strategies effectively with awareness of verbal and nonverbal cues (e.g., using body language to indicate attentiveness, and giving...
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