Virginia SOL 11.C.1.A.i

ELA11th GradeCommunication and Multimodal Literacies

The Standard

Applying a variety of strategies to listen actively and speak purposefully and respectfully.

Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Communication, Listening, and Collaboration

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students take part in extended discussions with different classmates about texts and grade-level issues. They listen closely, speak with a clear purpose, respond to others, and use respectful language.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students build on others’ ideas, ask useful questions, and support their own points with relevant evidence. They paraphrase accurately, share speaking time, and disagree without attacking the speaker.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat listening as waiting for their turn or repeat a point without responding to it. They may confuse respectful disagreement with avoiding disagreement entirely.
How to Assess It: Give pairs three minutes to discuss whether a character made a fair choice. Each student must paraphrase one point, ask one follow-up question, and add evidence.

Lesson moves

Give groups role cards and evidence slips, then require each listener to paraphrase the previous speaker before adding a new point.
Discuss: Which matters more in a strong discussion, clear speaking or careful listening, and what evidence supports your view?
Play listening bingo with squares for paraphrasing, follow-up questions, text evidence, respectful disagreement, and inviting a quiet speaker.
Run a mock school committee meeting where students choose a new campus policy and reach a decision through evidence-based discussion.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 11.C.1.A.i, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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