Procedure

1. Decide whether you want a whole-class or small-group discussion, and then create a discussion space for each prompt. The prompt can be teacher-created or student-created. See the attached Examples document for more ideas of how to use this strategy in your classroom.

2. Explain to students that during a Silent Discussion nobody speaks; instead, they are to communicate by writing words or drawing sketches in the discussion space. They should use their writing/drawing to respond to each other’s ideas by adding details, asking for clarification, agreeing/disagreeing, etc. 

3. Clearly communicate discussion expectations with your students. Consider having students share writing utensils to ensure that students’ ideas are going back and forth, as they would in a real conversation. Share how much time students have and encourage them to think before they respond, rather than rush.

4. After the Silent Discussion, facilitate a whole-class debrief (out loud) where students/volunteers share their takeaways from the discussion.