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Intro to Accountability

One Component of Discourse

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In Aurora Public Schools, Discourse Is…

Strategic, differentiated opportunities for students to make meaning, justify, critique, clarify, extend, and deepen understanding through communication using intentional approaches.*

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*Collectively developed by DOEL & Coaching Cadre

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Success Criteria for Discourse

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  • Purpose: Why are students engaging in discourse?

(Making meaning, justifying, critiquing, clarifying, extending, or deepening understanding?)

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  • Structure: How are we asking students to engage?
  • Accountability: How are we holding students accountable for the purpose of discourse?
  • Supports: How are we ensuring that all students can access and engage in the conversation? (graphic, linguistic, sensory, interactive supports)

Success Criteria developed by Aurora Public School CLDE

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Microlearning Objectives

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  • Educators will name elements of accountability within discourse
  • Educators will identify opportunities to monitor for one of the elements of accountability within discourse

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Ground in Learning

  • Read article “Accountable Talk® Discussions: Solidifying Knowledge and Engaging in Rigorous Thinking Alongside Others in a Collaborative Community”
  • While reading, annotate for the 3 elements of accountability (to knowledge, to rigorous thinking, to the learning community) within discourse: what are they and what do they look like/sound like?

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An Example

Middle school students are engaging in a science circle discussion regarding the phenomenon of hailstorms from different locations across the country at different times of the year producing different amounts of hail.

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Accountability to rigorous thinking:

-“We can predict that in December…”

- “If we put together this map and this data chart…”

Accountability to the learning community:

-“I agree with Dulce’s claim because…”

-“Caleb, what do you think?”

Accountability to knowledge:

-“The evidence to support the claim that spring is stormier is…”

-“What evidence proves that?”

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Reflect and Commit

Identify an upcoming discourse opportunity in your class

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How will you establish accountability to rigorous thinking?

How will you establish accountability to the learning community?

How will you establish accountability to knowledge?

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