Building a Silent Conversation
Grades 3-12
Big Idea
Directions
First, select the material that students will respond to. This could be math questions, quotations, historical documents, excerpts from novels, poetry, or images. Groups can all be given the same item for discussion, or each group could be given a different text related to the same theme. This activity can be used in pairs or small groups. Each group also needs a sheet of big poster paper that can fit a written conversation and added comments. In the middle of each of these, tape or write the item (image, quotation, excerpt, etc.) that will be used to spark the students’ discussion.
Inform the class that this activity will be completed in silence. All communication is done in writing. Tell students they will have time to speak in pairs and in the large groups later. All of the instructions and expectations are set at the beginning so questions are not asked during the activity.
Each group receives a Big Paper and each student gets a different colored marker or pen. This allows for ease of following the conversation. The groups read the text (or look at the image) in silence. After students have read, they comment on the text and ask questions of each other in writing on the Big Paper. The written conversation must start on the topic of the text, but might lead to other connections and topics. If someone in the group writes a question, another member of the group should address the question by writing on the Big Paper. Students can draw lines connecting a comment to a particular question. Make sure students know that more than one of them can write on the Big Paper at the same time. Depending on the age group, this could be done for approximately 15 minutes.
Still working in silence, students leave their own groups and walk around the room reading other Big Papers. They bring their markers or pens so they can write comments or further questions on each other's papers. Time can be determined for this step based on the number of Big Papers and knowledge of the students.
Groups return to their own Big Paper. They should look at any new comments written by others. Now they are free to talk about the text, their own comments, what they read on other papers, and the comments other students wrote for them. Students could also take out their journals and identify a question or comment that stands out to them.
Finally, discuss the process and ideas generated with the large group. The conversation can be as simple as, “What did you learn from doing this activity?” However, this is the time to draw out students' thoughts and in-depth thinking.
When to Use
Beginning of Big Paper (Little Paper Variation) With A Math Question
Variations
- Little Paper: With a Little Paper activity, use a regular-sized piece of paper. A small group of students each start with their own paper, with the same idea pasted in the middle. Students write on their paper, then pass it to the person on their left. This continues until all students have commented on every paper. Then students review the Little Paper they had first, noticing comments made by their peers. Finally, small groups have a discussion about the questions and ideas that stand out to them from this exercise.
- Gallery Walk: The Big Paper activity can also be structured as a Gallery Walk. Big Papers are taped to the walls or placed on tables, and students comment on the Big Papers in silence, at their own pace.