Talk Tactics Teacher Guide Instructional Playbook
TALK TACTICS
Building Academic Discussion Norms early in the year.
Lesson Plan TEACHER
Grade Level Grades 6 - 10
Duration 60 Minutes
Focus Skill Text-Based Talk
Group Format Pairs & Socratic
Mission Statement
Too often, classroom discussions default to isolated statements or superficial agreements. Talk Tactics introduces three clear discussion maneuvers—Build Up, Pivot Back, and Dig Deeper—using a high-interest textual case study. This structure establishes an environment where evidence-backed, respectful dialogue is the standard.
Target Standards
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.A: Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material.
Phase-by-Phase Execution
01 10 Min
The Hook: The Echo Chamber vs. The Think Tank
Ask students to react to an argument where two speakers completely ignore each other's points. Prompt: "What makes an argument cooperative instead of combative?" Introduce the difference between an echo chamber and a dynamic think tank.
02 15 Min
Direct Training: Decoupling the Three Maneuvers
Review the Talk Tactics Slides . Explicitly teach the three maneuvers. Model how to connect statements with text evidence using simple everyday topics (e.g., "Pineapple belongs on pizza because..." ) before diving into the complex text.
03 15 Min
Active Scaffolding: Read & Evidence Harvest
Distribute the Evidence Builder Worksheet containing "The Mammoth Dilemma". Students read independently, identify core evidence pieces supporting both the De-Extinction side and the Conservation-First side, and draft potential discussion contributions.
04 20 Min
The Arena: Structured Peer Arena
Group students in pairs or trios using the Discussion Arena Cards . Students must take turns drawing cards or selecting specific conversation goals (e.g., "Build Up on a peer's point"). The peer must check off the tactic used.
Unit: Academic Dialogue Norms PAGE 1 OF 2 Material Code: TACT-LP-01
Instructional Playbook
THE DIALOGUE BLUEPRINT
Instructional strategies, troubleshooting, and assessment frameworks.
Lesson Plan TEACHER
The Discussion Mechanics Cheat Sheet
TACTIC 1
Build Up
Adding text-based weight to a peer's thesis.
"I agree with... because text segment B states..."
TACTIC 2
Pivot Back
Respectfully countering with opposing evidence.
"While... claims X, Paragraph 4 directly contradicts..."
TACTIC 3
Dig Deeper
Requesting structural clarification or evidence.
"Could you clarify which line supports that claim?"
Common Pitfalls
Pitfall A: "Fake" Text-Evidence
Students say "The text says this" without naming a paragraph, author, or statistic. Fix: Prompt them to provide the exact physical reference.
Pitfall B: Side-Talking
One speaker dominates. Fix: Hand out "Talk tokens" (2 per student) that must be spent before anyone can speak a third time.
Adaptation & Support
For Emerging Readers / ELLs
Provide highlighted worksheets where the key facts are pre-bolded. Focus their goal on using a single "Build Up" prompt.
For Advanced Communicators
Require students to chain together multiple tactics: a Pivot Back followed immediately by a Dig Deeper question.
Formative Observation Rubric
Criteria Developing (1 pt) Proficient (2 pts) Mastery (3 pts) Tactic Application Attempts a prompt but reverts to unstructured chatter. Correctly deploys at least one target maneuver during play. Fluidly integrates multiple tactics based on conversation flow. Evidence Utilization Opinions voiced without direct citation or logical source references. Specifically names a paragraph or data point to backup claims. Directly analyzes textual quotes to build/rebut logical arguments.
Closing Debrief Question (5 min)
"Which Tactic felt the most unnatural at first, and why? How did utilizing structured scripts alter the actual concentration level in your discussion?" Encourage 2-3 representatives to share their growth patterns.
Unit: Academic Dialogue Norms PAGE 2 OF 2 Material Code: TACT-LP-01
Talk Tactics Slides Instructional Playbook TACT-SD-01
TALK TACTICS
The Art of the Agreeable Argument
Target Skill: Respectful, Text-Based Discourse
Ready for Print / Projection
Let's Speak
Why We Practice This
Debate vs. Dialogue
Combative Debate
• Goal: Win the argument at all costs
• Focus: Waiting for your turn to speak
• Tone: Aggressive, dismissive, stubborn
Cooperative Dialogue
• Goal: Uncover deeper truth together
• Focus: Deeply listening to synthesize points
• Tone: Inquisitive, cooperative, rigorous
Focus: Academic Discourse Norms Slide 2 of 6
The Combat Kit
Our Three Conversation Tactics
TACTIC 1
Build Up
Agree with a peer's thesis and immediately pile on additional evidence.
"I agree with... because text segment B states..."
TACTIC 2
Pivot Back
Politely introduce a counterargument backed by textual citations.
"While... claims X, Paragraph 4 directly says..."
TACTIC 3
Dig Deeper
Politely demand clarification or challenge evidence logic.
"Could you clarify which sentence supports that claim?"
Focus: Academic Discourse Norms Slide 3 of 6
The Case Study
The Woolly Mammoth Dilemma
The Core Dispute
Scientists have successfully mapped the Woolly Mammoth genome and are actively working to bring this extinct animal back to life. But is this the best use of resources?
Your Task Today:
Analyze the evidence packet on your worksheet, align with your team's stance, and defend it using Talk Tactics.
🧬
Pro: De-Extinction Project
Resurrecting mammoths could restore crucial arctic grass systems and capture carbon.
🐘
Con: Conservation-First
Funding should protect actual living, threatened species instead of synthetic vanity science.
Focus: Academic Discourse Norms Slide 4 of 6
How We Play
The Discussion Arena Rules
1
Build Your Case
Spend 5 minutes gathering evidence on your worksheet. Mark up key quotes.
2
Deploy Tactics
Evidence Builder Worksheet Student Companion
EVIDENCE BUILDER
Name
Date
Dossier: The Woolly Mammoth Dilemma
SOURCE A Restore the Ecosystem
According to geneticist Dr. Sandra Vance, bringing back the woolly mammoth could help stop global warming. [Paragraph 1] "Mammoths once trampled moss, broke up snow, and scraped down thick winter layers, allowing arctic cold to penetrate deeper and keep the permafrost frozen. Re-introducing them could delay carbon emissions."
SOURCE B Protect the Living First
Ecologist Marcus Thorne argues that synthetic science is a dangerous luxury. [Paragraph 2] "Over 20,000 actual living species are currently threatened with extinction. Spending millions of dollars on a single cloned woolly mammoth is a distraction. The money is needed now for anti-poaching and habitat restoration."
Evidence Harvesting Workspace
Identify and write down key textual facts supporting both stances in the spaces below. Ensure your handwriting background is clean.
PRO-MAMMOTH ARGUMENTS (VANCE)
PRO-CONSERVATION ARGUMENTS (THORNE)
Talk Tactics Drafting Pad
Write out your discussion sentences using the mandatory starters before speaking in the active Discussion Arena.
TACTIC 1: BUILD UP Target: Agree & Add Citations
"I agree with _____ because Dr. Vance / Paragraph 1 suggests that..."
TACTIC 2: PIVOT BACK Target: Respectful Counter-Evidence
"While _____ makes a valid point, Thorne / Paragraph 2 contradicts..."
TACTIC 3: DIG DEEPER Target: Evidence Challenge
"Could you point out which specific line or source supports that thesis?"
Arena Peer Sign-off
Have your peer group initial below once you successfully execute each tactic in play.
Build Up
Pivot Back
Dig Deeper
Unit: Academic Dialogue Norms STUDENT COMPANION Material Code: TACT-WS-01
Discussion Arena Cards Printable Activity
ARENA CARD SET
Tactic Cards 6 CUT-OUTS
Teacher & Student Prep Instructions:
Cut along the dotted lines to separate the cards. In groups of 3-4, place these cards face down. During your turn, draw a card and use that exact tactic with the listed goal to earn points!
Build Up
1. Carbon Crusader
Goal: Support the mammoth project using Vance's carbon-trapping permafrost thesis from Source A.
MANDATORY STEM:
"Adding to [Name]'s point, Vance's study in Paragraph 1 explains..."
Pivot Back
2. Living Protector
Goal: Counter a pro-mammoth speaker by pointing out actual threatened species funding in Source B.
MANDATORY STEM:
"While [Name] values the tech, Thorne argues in Paragraph 2 that..."
Dig Deeper
3. Source Inspector
Goal: Politely challenge a peer's claim by requesting their physical paragraph location or evidence.
MANDATORY STEM:
"You made a strong claim—could you tell us exactly where the text says that?"
Build Up
4. Eco Optimizer
Goal: Support the conservation side by adding why natural ecosystems are more valuable than clones.
MANDATORY STEM:
"I agree with [Name] because Source B confirms that real habitat protection..."
Pivot Back
5. Bio Futurist
Goal: Pivot back to defend technology by citing how mammoth cloning helps develop global genetics science.
MANDATORY STEM:
"Although modern species matter, Source A shows that genetic science has..."
Dig Deeper
6. Logic Inspector
Goal: Request clarification on how permafrost carbon release links to mammoth behavior.
MANDATORY STEM:
"How exactly does mammoths scraping snow preserve the permafrost layer?"
Unit: Academic Dialogue Norms PRINTABLE CARDS Material Code: TACT-AC-01
