George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Communication Skills

Prepare students for academic and life success by helping them develop their listening, speaking, writing, and digital media skills.

  • Driving Deep Reading Comprehension in K–5

    This five-phase reading strategy exposes every student to challenging texts—and has dramatically improved reading comprehension at a school in the Bronx.
    Emelina Minero

  • A Framework for Whole-Class Discussions

    Philosophical Chairs is an exercise that fosters careful listening and encourages every student to contribute their thoughts.
    Jill Fletcher

  • 60-Second Strategy: Participation Cards

    A quick formative assessment tool also encourages all students—even shy ones—to participate in discussions.

  • How Learning Happens

    In this video series, we explore how educators can guide all students, regardless of their developmental starting points, to become productive and engaged learners.

  • Scaffolding Discussion Skills With a Socratic Circle

    Students deepen their understanding and build a sense of community by engaging with their peers’ reasoned arguments.

  • 60-Second Strategy: Equity Sticks

    Looking for a simple way to ensure all voices are heard in your classroom? Try equity sticks.

  • Morning Meetings: Building Community in the Classroom

    Starting the day with this 15-minute activity helps students regulate their emotions and focus on the day’s learning.

  • Encouraging Academic Conversations With Talk Moves

    Sentence starters that students use to join a class discussion encourage both academic thinking and social connectedness.

  • Teaching Communication Skills

    A framework for exploring with students what good communication looks like and for helping them develop the necessary skills.
    Alice Stott

  • Teaching Students to Disagree Productively

    Teachers can scaffold discussions from the early grades on in ways that show students how to respectfully share dissenting opinions.
    Brittany R. Collins

  • 60-Second Strategy: 7-Minute Writes

    Looking for a simple way to get your students writing? Try a low-stakes timed exercise.

  • 6 Hand Signals That Bring Learning to Life

    Nonverbals are gestural cues that can help students quickly and respectfully communicate their reactions, needs, and levels of understanding in a fast-paced classroom.
    Ellie Cowen

  • Talking Politics: Valuing Different Perspectives

    Students learn how to share and listen to opposing beliefs with empathy.

  • Birmingham Covington: Building a Student-Centered School

    Educators take on the role of guides and motivate students to direct their own learning.
    Holly Korbey

  • Talking in Class

    Strategies for developing confident speakers who can share their thoughts and learning.
    Emelina Minero