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Talk

The text book defines "talk" in two ways aesthetic talk and efferent talk. Aesthetic talk, like aesthetic listening, deals with the lived-through experience of literature. Students use aesthetic talk to respond to literature and to deepen their understanding of the books they are reading. Efferent talk is used by students to inform and persuade. They use efferent talk in conversations during an activity called theme cycles. There are four other types of efferent talk and they are: show-and-tell, oral reports, interviews, and debates. These activities require the children to prepare and rehearse before presenting in front of an audience.

The chatter of little voices is an everyday occurrence in elementary school classrooms. As they talk they are using their conversations for different purposes. They may be trying to control a classmates behavior, maintain social relationships (friendships), convey information, or to express their own personal experiences and opinions. Talk encourages children to voice their ideas and opinions and by doing so, create opportunities for listening as well. Which is why talk is so important in the classroom.

Talk appears in the classroom through many ways and activities. Aesthetic talk happens in small groups, grand conversations, by asking questions, through reading stories and through readers theater. Small groups is where students learn to be responsible group members and recognize that what they have to say is important in the classroom. Grand conversations help to dig deeper into stories and help students deepen their comprehension. Students talk about literature they are reading in literature focus units and literature circles. Both students and teachers ask questions in the classroom this helps stimulate conversation and deepen understanding. Remember the most useful questions cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. A good question requires students to analyze, interpret, evaluate and to offer their personal opinions. Reading stories creates multiple opportunities for talk in the classroom. The stories can be read by both the student and the teacher. Readers theater is a great way to involve your students in the stories you are presenting to the class, by involving them in acting out the stories. I'm sure there are many other ways that talk appears in the classroom so don't let these examples hinder you, they are ways to help and inspire you to inspire your students.