Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

This Common Core Standard is all about discussions—specifically, how to not suck at them. According to the standard, here's what students should be doing to not suck at discussions:

1. They should actually know what they're talking about. If this means doing some outside research before a discussion, then so be it. Ignorance definitely doesn't mean bliss here.
2. Students shouldn't be passing out or going at each other's throats during a discussion. We're not on Verbal Gladiator over here.
3. They should be asking each other questions that have more than "yes" or "no" answers. And like always, they should be keeping their discussions on track.
4. There's nothing worse in the world than people who keep on arguing even after they've realized that they're wrong, and students shouldn’t be doing that. Instead, they should learn that it's okay to change their original opinions.

There we go. Hooray for students that don't suck at discussions!

Standard Components

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.A
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.B
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.C
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.D