Jumpstart! Talk for Learning: Games and activities for ages 7-12

Jumpstart! Talk for Learning presents a collection of multi-sensory games and activities that will jumpstart children’s use of effective talk in the classroom. This book offers practical and engaging ideas ranging from brief games to extended lesson suggestions. It offers a basis for creating your own spoken language activities to match topics you are teaching and individual needs of your class.

Specifically written to help teachers with the direct teaching of talk skills required by the National Curriculum, activities in the book encourage children to:

• participate in group and class discussions

• use exploratory talk and share a range of points of view

• use talk imaginatively to develop understanding

• develop individual presentational talk

• take part in active drama sessions

Jumpstart! Talk for Learning includes a range of classroom activities that can be used in literacy lessons and integrated across the curriculum. This essential resource will help teachers develop children’s use of talk to understand one another and get things done together.

Contents

Introduction

The importance of talk in the classroom. Why classroom talk can be a part of a productive learning environment.

How understanding is developed through speculating, hypothesising, imagining and exploring ideas.

The importance of listening and responding to what others say. Developing children’s skills so that they become active listeners.

Section 1

Talking to convey information:

Informative talks

Recounting experiences

Reporting events

Researching and reporting

Explanations

Instructions and directions.

Section 2

Expressing opinions and arguments:

Expressing opinions

Points of view

Developing arguments

Discussion

Preparing speeches

Debating

Persuading

Section 3

Using talk imaginatively to develop understanding

Telling and retelling stories

Learning and presenting poems

Hot seating and thought tracking

Role play

Improvisation

 

Assessing Speaking and Listening

Assessing the content, structure, language and delivery of talks and speeches

Assessment of group discussions

Assessment of storytelling and poetry presentations

Assessing listening skills