New Puzzles/Next Moves: Inventing Your Way into High-Quality Student Discussions

Shanklin understands the value of civil, public discourse in a democratic society and the need to impart that to our students. She tells us that “when students enter a community where their use of growing literacy abilities is both respected and expected, they are more likely to use what they do know, and even to push themselves further, to accomplish what they consider to be meaningful tasks.” Here are tips on getting started with discussion and on linking reading, writing, and discussion, thereby laying a foundation for action that offers students motivation and purpose.