Conversation.

1. Model a Good Conversation

Make a point of having one-to-two minute interactions,

one-on-one, at least a few times each week with

students who struggle conversationally. Share

information about yourself as you might when meeting

 a friend or acquaintance, and show interest in the

student by asking questions about his or her interests.

Conversation enhancers include responses and

 prompts like:

• "Really?"

• "Wow!"

• "That’s interesting."

• "No kidding!"

If these students don't or won't share easily at first,

 don't give up.

2. Encourage Physical Cues

Identify procedures for having a conversation that

includes appropriate non-verbal behavior. For example,

you might teach a strategy like S.L.A.N.T. (Sit up

straight. Listen. Answer and ask

questions. Nod to show interest. Track the speaker.)

3. Challenge Put-Downs or Hurtful Comments

For example, if a student says, "I think what she did was

 really stupid," challenge with "How else can you say

that without being hurtful?" If the student seems

unaware, teach an alternative like,"I disagree with that."

 Ask the student to repeat what you said and then move

on to:"What happened to make you feel that way?"

"How would you have handled things differently?"

"Do you think there is only right answer, or could there

be more?"

4. Ask Open-Ended Questions

These are questions without one correct answer,

questions that stimulate discussion and can be a

 very powerful way to reinforce the idea that there

 are different views of an issue, or a set of beliefs

that can be equally valid.

For example: "So if Columbus came knocking on your

 door and told you that sailing to the New World would

be an amazing adventure and there might be lots of

 riches there, but you might never arrive because the

 world was flat, would you go?"