Discussion
VC2E4LY01 · Literacy · Reading
use interaction skills to gather information in order to carry out tasks, contribute to discussions, acknowledge another opinion, link a response to the text or topic, and share and extend ideas and information
1. Learning goal
Participate in discussions by listening, linking and extending ideas.
2. What your child needs to know
- Good discussion begins with careful listening.
- Acknowledge another opinion before adding your own.
- Link your response to the text, task or topic.
3. Simple explanation
In a discussion, you do not just wait for your turn. You build on what others say.
4. Examples
I see your point about the character being brave.
I would add that the setting made the choice harder.
5. Worked example
Make a linked response
- Listen to the speaker's idea.
- Name the part you are responding to.
- Add your own idea or evidence.
- Use a respectful tone.
6. Common mistakes
- Changing the topic suddenly.
- Disagreeing without explaining why.
- Repeating someone else's idea without adding anything.
7. Parent teaching tips
- Use family dinner questions to practise turn-taking.
- Prompt with: 'Can you build on that idea?'
8. Quick practice
Give a sentence starter for acknowledging an opinion.
Answer: I understand why you think...
This shows you heard the other person's view.
Why should a response link to the topic?
Answer: So the discussion stays clear and useful.
Linked ideas help everyone follow the conversation.
9. Extension challenge
Have a two-minute discussion about a book and use two linking sentence starters.