Following Discussion Rules

You will learn the rules for talking in a group discussion. A discussion is when a group of people talk together about one idea. Following the rules helps everyone share ideas and helps everyone understand each other.

A group discussion is when three or more people talk together about the same topic. You might have a group discussion about a story, a science question, or a class problem. Everyone in the group gets a chance to share what they think.

Group discussions work best when everyone follows the same rules. The three big rules are listening, waiting your turn, and staying on topic.

You listen with your eyes, your ears, and your body. Look at the person who is talking. Keep your hands and feet still. Think about the words you hear.

Good listening means you do not talk while someone else is talking. You wait until they are done. Then you can think about what they said before you talk.

You wait your turn by raising your hand and staying quiet until someone calls on you. In a group discussion, only one person talks at a time. If two people talk at once, no one can understand either one.

Waiting your turn also means you do not interrupt. Interrupting is talking before another person finishes their idea. If you have something to say, hold your idea in your head until it is your turn.

Staying on topic means you talk about the same idea the group is already talking about. If the group is talking about a book, you do not start talking about your weekend. That changes the topic and can confuse everyone.

Before you talk, ask yourself, "Does my idea match what we are talking about right now?" If it matches, you are staying on topic. If it does not match, you can save it for later.

Discussion: A group of people talking together about one idea.

Listening: Using your eyes and ears to pay attention to the speaker.

Interrupting: Talking before another person is finished with their idea.

Turn: The time when it is your job to talk while everyone else listens.

Topic: The one idea or question the whole group is talking about.

Rule: A step everyone in the group agrees to follow so talk time works well.

Sit in a small group and take turns talking about your favorite animal. Practice raising your hand and waiting to be called on before you speak.

Play a listening game where you repeat one thing a classmate said before you add your own idea. This helps you check that you were really listening and that your idea stays on topic.

After a group discussion, ask yourself three questions. Did I listen? Did I wait my turn? Did I stay on topic?

Related lessons

• Taking Turns in Talks