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How to Have Meaningful Classroom Conversations

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My students love to talk. #chattiestclassever

But I don’t want them to just be talkers. I want them to be thinkers too. And, I want them to be able to support what they’re thinking with reasons.

That’s when I started using discussion starters. Keep reading to find out how you can try discussion starters FREE.

How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.

Why use discussion starters?

  • Simple. Coming up with mostly random questions that don’t necessarily relate to anything when there’s already million other things on my mind gets old pretty quickly. When writing our morning message on the easel, I would sit for what seemed like forever trying to think of an engaging question to ask my students.
  • By using pre-made discussion starters, the work is done for me. 
  • I give control to my kids. Our “Discussion Starter Chooser” picks are card out of a container and reads it the class. It’s adds an extra element of fun, and excitement.

How do I use discussion starters?

  • Morning Meeting
    • We use discussion starters during morning meeting every.single.day. And my kids LOVE them. They can’t wait to see what question they’ll answer.
    • Sometimes, the questions result in the most perfect classroom conversations. Like this one: what makes you feel loved. #swoon
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
  • Partner Up
    • I use the Kagan structure “Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up” to have students find a partner. It’s super simple. Students stand, and put their hand up. Then they make eye contact with another friend in our class, and pair up. Easy Peasy. Then they take turns sharing their responses.
    • FUN SIDE STORY: I actually had a DOE person in my classroom (#intimidating) who, when I told my kids could partner up in about 10 seconds said, “Prove it.” And was completely blown away when I simply said, “Stand Up, Hand Up, Pair Up” and every single kid in my class had a partner quickly, quietly, and without any direction from me.
  • Transitions
    • I like to carry some discussion starters with me as we go to specials, lunch, and anywhere else where we might have a few minutes where we need something to do.
  • Brain Breaks
    • Sometimes, my kids just need to talk. So, what better way than to give them something to talk about in a meaningful way?
What kinds of questions do I ask?
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
Where do I get my discussion starters?
 
  • I actually couldn’t find any discussion starters that I really liked, so I decided to make my own! Below are two different types of discussion starters I have:
    • Monthly Discussion Starters: These discussion starters are themed around various seasons, holidays, and special events that happen within a given month. These are currently offered at a HUGE discount.
    • General Discussion Starters: These are perfect for anytime. They aren’t related to any holidays, or special events.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
How to use discussion starters or discussion cards to have meaningful classroom conversations, teach listening and speaking skills, and create a strong classroom community.
 
So you’re definitely ready to try discussion starters during morning meeting, or anytime of the day with your students. 
 

DISCUSSION STARTER SAMPLE

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8 thoughts on “How to Have Meaningful Classroom Conversations”

  1. I love the idea of having pre-made discussion starter cards. What a super way to get the students thinking and to learn more about them! Great blog – thanks for sharing your tips and ideas 🙂

  2. Hi! Can you tell me more about the post it notes / chart paper procedures? Do you write the post it notes for them? Thanks!

    • Sometimes I record responses on the post-it notes, and sometimes my students record their own responses. It just depends what the content is, and what time of the year it is.

  3. How long do your morning meetings last? I am wanting to start this in my classroom this year! Also, what does this look like? Do they come in and put their stuff down near their area then circle up? TOTALLY new to this.

    • Morning meetings last about 30 minutes the first few weeks of school, but then shorten to between 15 and 20 minutes once we’ve got our routine down.

  4. These look amazing! Can you describe how you use them for morning meeting? Do you have the question already posted when students arrive? At what point in your morning meeting do you discuss the questions?

    • I usually have one of class jobs be the “question chooser” and they get to choose. First we do a greeting, and then we share.

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