1. Precision Partnering:
Strategies to Structure Accountable
Academic Interactions
in Second-Language Classrooms
Central Valley Dual Language Conference
October 10, 2009
Dr. Kate Kinsella
San Francisco State University
(707)

2. Workshop Objectives Participants will learn effective ways to:
Structure engaged, accountable responses during lessons
Design “precision partner” task-based interactions
Elicit more competent and democratic verbal participation
Explicitly teach target lesson vocabulary and language
Utilize response frames to structure competent language use
Check for task comprehension in mixed-ability classrooms
Observe lessons for explicit instruction and engaged, accountable learning and use of academic language 2

3. Workshop Setup partner for any assigned partnering tasks.
Identify a colleague who can be your
partner for any assigned partnering tasks.
Decide who will be partner #1 and partner #2.
Observe the “4 Ls” for working with a partner:
Look (Make eye contact.)
Lean (Turn toward your partner.)
Low Voice (Use your private vs. public voice.)
Listen (Authentic vs. pseudo listening)

4. Setting Up Precision Partnering

5. Precision Partnering in Action Video 6 Gr
Precision Partnering in Action Video 6 Gr. 8 Read 180 Identifying Main Ideas & Details

6. Active Listening Vocabulary
Word
Meaning
Examples
authentic
au•then•tic
adjective
____, genuine
The bride wore authentic pearls at her ________.
Authentic _____ are made in
_____________.
pseudo
pseu•do
___________
Santa gave my daughter pseudo ___ from ______.
real
wedding
Uggs
Australia
fake
Uggs
Target

7. Think-Write-Pair-Share
What are two ways a student can demonstrate active, authentic listening while working with a partner?
Starter: A partner can demonstrate active, authentic listening by__ (verb + ing)
making eye contact
leaning toward the partner

8. Check for Understanding of Task Directions
Use a hand rubric to communicate your level of understanding:
3 I understand what to do.
I can explain the directions to the class.
2 I am a little confused.
1 I am very confused.
I do not know what to do.

9. Partnering Directions
Partner #2 shares first. Partner #1 shares next.
Jot down your partner’s idea.
If you don’t understand your partner’s idea, say “Will you please explain that idea?”
If your partner spoke too quickly or softly, say “Will you please repeat that idea?”
Keep sharing until you hear: “1-2-3, eyes on me.”
Share the teacher’s idea or your partner’s idea if you don’t have a second idea.

10. Class Discussion Ground Rules
Demonstrate respect for others at all times.
No hand-raising until I ask for volunteers.
Use your public voice: 2 x slower and 3 x louder than your conversation private voice.
Use the sentence starter to share your idea.
Listen attentively and jot down one new idea.
Point out similarities before sharing your idea.

11. Language for Classroom Learning: Pointing Out Similarities
Casual Conversational English
Mine’s the the same.
Oh yeah. Right.
Me too.
Formal Spoken and Written English
My idea is similar to __’s.
My idea builds upon __’s.
I agree with __. I also think that __.

12. Think-Write-Pair-Share
Starter: A partner can demonstrate active, authentic listening by__ (verb + ing)

13. Language for Classroom Learning: Expressing Agreement
Casual Conversational English
Yeah. Right.
Uh huh.
Formal Spoken and Written English
I agree with __’s statement/perspective that …
I support __’s decision to/argument that …
Like __, I support …/I am in favor of …
My idea dovetails with __’s. I believe …

14. Language for Classroom Learning: Asking for Clarification & Paraphrasing
Casual Conversational English
Huh? What? I don’t get it.
Formal Spoken English
I don’t quite understand.
Could you explain what you mean by __.
So what you mean is __.
If I understand you correctly, you think that __

15. Pragmatics of Precision Partnering

16. Think-Write-Pair-Share
Discussion Task:
What are two important factors to consider
when partnering students in mixed-ability classes to complete important lesson tasks?
Starter: One important factor to consider
is a student’s __ (noun phrase).
time on task
attendance record

17. Explicit Vocabulary Teaching with a Structured Oral Task
Word
Meaning
Examples
factor
fac•tor
(noun)
_______
A number that you can _______ into another number evenly
One of ________ things that affects a situation
3 is a factor of 15 because 3 x ___ = 15
2. An important factor when I buy a gift for someone is _______ _________________
divide 5
many
factor
the person’s interests

18. Factors to Consider When Assigning Lesson Partners
We decided that one important factor
to consider is a student’s …
_______________________ proficiency
_______________________ score
_______________________ skills
_______________________ background
_____________________________________

19. Check for Understanding of Task Expectations
Partner #1, explain to #2 what you are supposed to do right now.
Partner #2, listen to see if your partner left out an important step.

20. Factirs to Consider When Assigning Lesson Partners
Attendance record
Time on task
_______________________ proficiency
_______________________ score
_______________________ skills
_________________________________
Language
Reading / Lexile
Social
Cultural background
Gender & comfort level with opposite sex
Behavioral issues

21. Pragmatics of “Precision Partnering”
Arrange seating conducive to partnering.
Assign partners thoughtfully rather than randomly.
Change partners routinely (a new month, unit).
Designate who is partner 1/2, green/blue.
Designate who speaks first for a particular task.
Assign a concrete task and a specific time frame.
Check for understanding of task expectations.
Provide a clearly displayed sentence starter and model appropriate use.
Assign a related follow-up task for fast finishers.

22. A Sentence Starter in Academic Register with a Targeted Word Bank
What challenges do immigrants face
coming to America?
One challenge that immigrants face is _ (verb + ing) learning a new language.
Word Bank: dealing with …
finding …
understanding …

23. Language Function: Prediction Sentence Starters in Academic Register
I predict that the character __
will __ (base verb: study, leave) .
will be __ (adjective: upset, excited)
I made this prediction because she/he __ (past tense verb: tried, bought)

24. Follow-up Tasks for Partnering Fast Finishers
Share a second idea using the starter.
Share another idea using a challenge starter.
Write your idea in your notebook.
Write your partner’s idea in your notebook.
Prepare to report your partner’s idea.
Decide together which answer is the strongest.
____________________________________

25. Language For Class Discussions: Reporting Someone Else’s Idea
Casual Conversational English
__ said that …
__ told me that …
Formal Spoken and Written English
__ pointed out that … According to __,
__ indicated that …
__ observed that …
__ emphasized that …

26. Language For Class Discussions: Reporting A Pair’s/Group’s Idea
Casual Conversational English
We think …
We said …
Formal Spoken and Written English
We decided that … We agreed that …
We determined that … We concluded that …
We observed that … We believe that …

27. Precision Partnering in Action Video 7 Gr
Precision Partnering in Action Video 7 Gr. 6 Read 180 Using a Newly-Taught Word

28. Structure Democratic Responses AFTER “Precision Partnering”
Pre-selected initial responses: “Jumper Cables”
Name cards or sticks
Random (or seemingly random) selection
Partner nominations
Reporting the partner’s idea
Popcorn: participant #1 selects #2 from another section of the classroom, etc.
Choose one per table group using pre-assigned color/number codes: All greens report…
Authentic volunteers (after partners share)

29. Checking for Understanding of Lesson Content or Tasks

30. Productive Ways to Check for Understanding of Task Expectations
Partners quickly share what they perceive as the task expectations and the teacher monitors.
Partners or individuals prepare a written question regarding the task.
Individuals use a hand rubric or color-coded cards to assess level of understanding:
(Green) #3 I know what to do.
(Yellow) #2 I am a little confused.
(Red) #1 I am very confused.

31. Check for Understanding of Lesson Content
Review your notes on __. Check any ideas that you don’t fully understand.
Write one or two questions you would like answered that will help you better understand this topic, vocabulary, etc.

32. Language For Classroom Learning: Expressing Confusion About Tasks
Casual Conversational English
We don’t get it.
We don’t know what to do.
Formal Spoken English
We aren’t quite sure what to do.
We aren’t exactly sure what __ means.
We are somewhat confused about __.
We don’t quite understand how to __.

33. Language Functions (Purposes) Within Academic Interaction
Expressing an opinion
Asking for clarification
Paraphrasing
Soliciting a response
Agreeing/Disagreeing
Affirming
Holding the floor
Acknowledging ideas
Comparing ideas
Justifying
Predicting
Summarizing
Offering a suggestion
Reporting/Citing

34. (Write)
Think
Share
Pair

35. Steps in Setting Up: Think-Write-Pair-Share
Direct students’ attention to the written task.
Provide a sentence starter to frame responses.
Provide a word bank to bolster vocabulary use.
Model a response, verbally and in writing.
Clarify the sentence structure and/or grammar necessary for an appropriate response.
Monitor students’ writing process.

36. Steps in Facilitating Discussion: Think-Write-Pair-Share
Partner students to rehearse responses.
Assign active listening and note-taking tasks.
Jump-start with a “nominated volunteer.”
Require use of public voices and the starter.
Randomly call on a few students before soliciting volunteers.
Refrain from offering your perspective until students have had ample opportunity to share.

37. A Sentence Starter in Academic Register with a Targeted Word Bank
What challenges do immigrants face
coming to America?
One challenge that immigrants face is _ (verb + ing) learning a new language.
Word Bank: dealing with …
finding …
understanding …

38. How to Write a Sentence Starter That Can Serve As a Response Frame
Turn the discussion question/task into a starter.
Write a response using as much language as possible from the question.
Analyze your response and decide what part will serve as the starter (vs. the completion task).
Make sure the starter can be completed in various ways using either lesson content or prior knowledge.
Make sure the starter doesn’t require overly complex grammar and vocabulary use.

39. Tandem Goals for All Lessons: Academic Content & Academic Language
Developing critical conceptual, linguistic and strategic foundations to prepare students for lesson tasks;
Improving students’ ability to articulate lesson understandings and perspectives in speaking and writing.

40. Web Sources for Dr. Kinsella’s Resources
Scholastic Read 180 Community Web Site
Consortium on Reading Excellence: 2009 Summit
Santa Clara County Office of Education
California Department of Education
Office of Middle and High School Support
(4 webinars focusing on structured engagement)