How do you encourage students to talk one at a time during a class discussion?

Answer 1

tell them you will give them a prize if they don't. or else threaten them somehow.

Answer 2

When fascilitating any group discussion, regardless of the ages of participants, start each session by going over the "group rules". Use a large piece of paper (poster size) and ask the class what they consider to be important rules to follow when having discussion time. Usually the class will be able to come up with most or all the the important ones: don't interupt, don't put other people down, don't talk for too long (give other people a chance), stick to the topic, etc. Then keep this list posted on the wall where everyone can see it all the time. Another simple trick is to have a "talking stick" or any other object - whoever has something to say must wait to hold the object before speaking and then pass it on when finished.

Answer 3

Have them draw numbers out of a hat that will represent the order in which they must respond to whatever statements or questions have been made by the other responders prior to the time their turn comes around. Do this at least once to accustom them to the experience, and to give them some confidence in their ability to contribute. Your guidance during this process is important for encouragement even when the performance is otherwise criticized by other students. The first speaker in this round robin experiment will be the teacher, of course.

Answer 4

We use Response Partners in our school. This is where the kids get chance to talk to someone else about the issue, answer or whatever before you begin whole class discussion. This way, even if they dont get to say their bit to the class they have said their opinon to SOMEONE, You can also then remind them that they have had their talking time and now is the time to listen.

If you mean in a circle time activity, i use a teddy and the only persn who can speak is the person who has the teddy.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Model and prevention.
Before asking a question say, "Make a bubble if you know...?" (blow your cheeks out like you're holding your breath).
It keeps there mouths from moving and generously praise those that KEPT their bubble without popping while the other was talking. Ignore the talker but later address that it isn't fair to others when they interrupt and talk over others voice and continue to repeat that it isn't fair to so and so.

Before you ask a question, raise YOUR hand and put a finger over your mouth and say "Raise your hand if you know...?" They will automatically mimic you. Let the talkers know to keep their finger over their mouth until the speaker is finished. Then PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE and use your own reward system.

Positive reinforcement and state expectations.
Even if children are talking over each other, find the "quiet hand" and make a big deal about it and say, "I'm only calling on quiet hands and OH! Look at Billy, he has his hand up quietly."

They need to know EXACTLY what is expected of them and then MODEL MODEL MODEL as a class repeatedly.

Answer 6

Here are a couple of ideas -

1. Use a "talking stick" Decorate a 12" dowel rod to make it look special, and only the person holding it gets to speak. When the person is done speaking he passes it to the next person.

2. Use "talking chips." Give each kid three or four poker chips. Each time the child adds to the conversation he must give up a chip. Once the chips are gone, the person can't speak anymore. This makes kids really think about what they are saying, and if it is important enough to use a chip.

Answer 7

I'm am a 10 year old montessori student answering for my mom.
To get children to calm down DO NOT BRIBE THEM at the begining of the school year have the kids sit in a circle on the floor and have the kids give suggestions of the type of rules they
would like in the class and have them each sign it. For creativity put this list on a nice peice of paper and post it in the classroom.
My teacher has been using this methd for over 20 years in her classroom; you have to treat the kids like a family not a classroom.

Answer 8

I myself am a pupil, Students would rather talk aloud to others than write about their thoughts class discussion is a very fun way to talk to their clamates and still stay on the topic in school. Tell you students unless they take turns sharing thoughts about the topic if they don't they will have to write about the topic instead.

Good luck with you seminar/discussion.
your amiga

Answer 9

Say to them, "I encourage you to talk one at a time during our class discussion." No one can argue that you didn't encourage them.

Answer 10

Use a toy, it can be a small ball, a teddy bear, or something like that. The boy with the toy is the only that can talk. Anyone that wants to talk raises the hand, the boy that has the toy trhow it to the next person.

Answer 11

Make them raise thier hand to be recognized before they can speak. After a while, you may be able to relax that requirement and still have a productive conversation.