Back To School

Backpacks are filled,
Pencils are sharpened,
Laptops are charged...

It's the beginning of a new school year!

What will our children be learning?

How to talk and listen to one another.

Have you ever seen the
​ Common Core Standards
for speaking and listening?  

​Here is what we expect of our high school seniors when they graduate... 
​

SPEAKING AND LISTENING
Comprehension and Collaboration:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11-12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.B
Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision-making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.C
Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1.D
Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task.

We set the bar high for collaboration skills...
and we should do so.

We should also be able to practice what we benchmark.

We need to model the art of respectful conversation for our children.

The Purple Points Protocol combines
many of these important skills
in an easy-to-use format.

Why not try it out?

As our kids go back to school,
​let's get back to our own speaking and listening.

Let's show our nation's youth
​we know how to 
talk the talk
AND
walk the walk.