“Where would we be without conversation? Throughout history, conversations have allowed us to see different perspectives, build ideas, and solve problems. Conversations, particularly those referred to in the book, Academic Conversations, push students to think and learn in lasting ways. Academic conversations are back-and-forth dialogues in which students focus on a topic and explore it by building, challenging, and negotiating relevant ideas.”  In this course, teachers will actively participate in online learning to further develop their understanding and application of Structured Academic Conversations in the Classroom and how to utilize Structured Conversations to Support CLD Students. Teachers will identify what is and what is not Academic Discourse, understand the importance and power of utilizing Academic Discourse in the Classroom, apply specific strategies for different lesson elements, reflect on and discuss their experiences with other teachers, and ultimately develop an Action Plan for how to utilize Academic Discourse in their teaching practices. 

This course is appropriate for all secondary level teachers including elective teachers, ELD & CLD teachers, Digital Literacy Teachers, Librarians, and Instructional Coaches.  

Required Text:

• Academic Conversations Classroom Talk that Fosters Critical Thinking and Content Understandings by Jeff Zwiers and Marie Crawford

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and Categorize what IS and what is NOT Academic Discourse. 
• Explain the importance and power of utilizing Academic Discourse in the Classroom.
• Apply Specific Strategies for different Lesson Elements.
• Differentiate Strategies for CLD Learners.
• Develop an Action Plan for how to utilize Academic Discourse in their teaching practices.