Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Ah, discussions. We can hear the collective groan of every sixth grader out there already. While this Common Core Standard might not be able to make discussions interesting and not groan-worthy (that's the teacher's job), it does lay out some guidelines that students have to follow:

1. They have to be prepared (duh!), which means they have to at least read what they're talking about and be able to refer to it during the discussion.
2. A sub-standard states that students have to "follow rules for collegial discussions," which means they have to be respectful of others during the discussion and at least act like they're paying attention to what's going on.
3. They actually have to participate by asking meaningful questions and comments, with none of that conversation-derailing stuff. After all, don't you hate it when life gives you lemons and suddenly you're stuck with bunch of broken-down cars?
4. Students need to understand everything that was talked about in the discussion. They might think that discussions are a waste of time, but they might as well have learned something during that waste of time.

That's it. As long as students follow these guidelines, they'll be conducting discussions like mature, responsible adults in no time!

Standard Components

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.A
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.B
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.C
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.D