Structured Oral Practice Routines
A-B Partner Sharing
When students get into partners, they will decide who is the A partner and the B partner. Each partner is given a responsibility for sharing.
Circle Partner Share
With A-B partners, two circles are created…an A circle that faces outward and the B circle that faces inward. The A-B partner shares an idea and when the teacher prompts, all B’s move one partner to their right and share again.
Clock Partners
Use a clock or other diagram, students sign each others at a specific time and that is their partner (ie 2 o’clock partners)
Face/Shoulder Partners
Face= across from you
Shoulder = beside you
Shoulder = beside you
Lines of Communication
Same idea as inner/outer circle, but structured as two lines. Works well in smaller spaces.
Numbered Heads Together
A team is established and each member is given a number. The numbered student is called or asked to give an idea/answer.
Popsicle Stick Name Draw
Write each child's name on a Popsicle stick. Then, when calling on students for answers, pull a name out of the jar with the Popsicle sticks. This holds all students accountable for the content.
Stay and Stray Strategy
After working together in a group on a specific item, assignment, or topic, one or more group members stay with the group product while one or more group members rotate to other groups to learn and share.
Talking Chips
Each member receives the same number of chips. Each time a member wishes to speak, they put a chip in the center of the table. Once individuals have used up their chips, they can no longer speak. Process continues until everyone in the group has used up chips.
Talking Stick
Students pass any object that can serve as the talking stick around the group. Teacher gives prompt and student with the talking stick speaks while everyone listens. Student passes stick when done and a new person has the opportunity to speak without interruption.
Whip Around
Students go around, with everyone in the group contributing an idea/answer.
Work Cited
Smucker, H. Structured oral language practice routines [Word document]. Retrieved from Lecture notes online Web site: http://online.wou.edu/course/view.php?id=3680