Backtalk: Let’s bring the art of deeper conversation into schools

Abstract

Discussions of school climate, like those in the February 2022 Kappan, rarely delve deeply into how everyday conversations between students and adults can promote such climates, says Rebecca Rolland. Tips for such conversations are helpful, but a more robust, research-based framework is needed. Rolland’s framework for rich talk suggests that conversations be adaptive, back-and-forth, and child-driven. Rick talk expands on children’s utterances, explores their thoughts and questions, and evaluates. Teachers can also benefit from conversations among themselves that use these strategies.