Teach Primary Issue 18.7

54 | www.teachwire.net Three essential ingredients Oracy in primary classes means managing classroom talk to deepen learning across the curriculum, and equipping your pupils to use spoken language effectively in any situation. For oracy to flourish, it’s I magine a classroom where every child speaks confidently. Where every child can be clearly heard sharing their individual thoughts and ideas. A classroom where children work productively in pairs and groups, where children support and challenge each other, listening with respect and encouragement. How about a classroom where everyone knows that talking can help us think and thinking can help us talk? Where children express themselves clearly, are interested in each other’s thoughts and ask each other questions because they know it helps them learn? Oracy makes all this possible. It gives children a chance to develop a voice and be able to use that voice effectively in relationships, in work, in life. If children can’t do these things, they won’t thrive – oracy is a matter of social justice, citizenship and democracy. “Please elaborate, Jack.” or “Say it again, Simran, using our focus vocabulary.” Use a kind, respectful tone at all times. (This is not about mocking or intimidating pupils.) If a child doesn’t immediately respond during whole-class talk, stay with them, support 3. Create a culture of listening For children to talk confidently, and to risk sharing thoughts, emotions or new ideas, they need to feel safe. They need to know they will be listened to with respect, and that everyone will value their contribution. Creating and agreeing ground rules as a class will help with this. Hand signals for dialogue Use active learning gestures to indicate ‘I agree’, ‘I disagree’ or ‘I’d like to build on…’ Decide on a set of non-verbal signals to indicate thinking during whole-class dialogue. Aim for still, silent signals, which are less likely to be distracting than moving or noisy ones. Some examples could be: ⋅ Open hand resting on heart – ‘I agree.’ ⋅ Closed hand on heart – ‘I disagree.’ SIGNALS Topsy Page explains how to take oracy to the next level in your classroom “The use of signals like these can offer a number of benefits to children” vital to have the right classroom culture. This can be achieved by focusing on three key areas. 1. Have high expectations All your pupils can get better at communicating, so avoid underestimating them. Children respond to our expectations, so try to phrase the way you speak to them according. For example, them and find out what they are thinking. 2. Be caring and thoughtful All children have different starting points, and some are initially less confident with their oracy skills. Without losing your high expectations, be sensitive and nurturing. This can be a delicate balance; the key is to challenge at the appropriate level. Signs and