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Observation Tools

Introduction

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Sophisticated speaking and listening skills take time to develop. When we start to see what is right about how we interact with each other, we start to see ways to build upon bright spots and optimize the effectiveness of our communication. We encourage you to take a 10% better approach to helping members of your community improve speaking and listening skills.

Review the rules that are part of this checklist as needed.
After reviewing the rule, explain the rule to a peer.
Highlight the bright spots when you see and hear your classmates participating. Silent snapping is a great way to show praise without interrupting!
Remember that the reason we come together in schools is to learn from each other, so being a good contributor is important for each student and for the whole learning community.
Remember when you are participating in the discussion to reflect on the following questions:

Are you showing…

Respect for yourself?
Respect others?
Respect the environment?
Respect learning?

Let’s Spark Courageous Thinking!

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Grade 9: Peer Collaboration

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in discussion appropriately.	build on others' ideas express personal ideas clearly and persuasively use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
Come to discussion prepared.	refer to evidence on topic or text from required or researched material probe and reflect on ideas under discussion
Follow rules of discussion.	help develop rules for peer collaboration set goals and track deadlines with peers help define roles with peers bring discussion back to topic as needed
Pose and respond to questions with elaboration and detail.	review key ideas expressed demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing and modify personal view when warranted clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions integrate information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source explain how it contributes to the topic, text, or issue under study
Delineate specific claims, distinguishing those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.	present information, findings, supporting evidence in a coherent manner in which listeners can follow the reasoning, organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task strategically include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to enhance points

Instructions: Observe presentations and discussions and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

©Thinkcerca.com Inc 2025

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Grade 9: Socratic Discussion

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in Socratic discussion appropriately.	build on others' ideas express personal ideas clearly and persuasively uses appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
Come to Socratic discussion prepared.	refer to evidence on topic or text from required or researched material probe and reflect on ideas under discussion
Follow rules of Socratic discussion	help develop rules for peer collaboration set goals and track deadlines with peers help define roles with peers bring discussion back to topic as needed
Pose and respond to questions with elaboration and detail.	review key ideas expressed demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing and modify personal view when warranted clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions integrate information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source explain how it contributes to the topic, text, or issue under study
Delineate specific claims, distinguishing those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.	present information, findings, supporting evidence in a coherent manner in which listeners can follow the reasoning, organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task strategically include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to enhance points

Instructions: Observe Socratic discussions and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

©Thinkcerca.com Inc 2025

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Grade 9: Debate

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in discussions to prepare for debate and participate in debate appropriately.	build on others' ideas express personal ideas clearly and persuasively use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
Prepare for debate.	set goals and track deadlines with peers help define roles with peers help develop rules for peer collaboration
Come to debate prepared.	refer to evidence on topic or text from required or researched material probe and reflect on ideas under debate
Pose and respond to questions with elaboration and detail according to rules of debate.	review key ideas expressed demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing and modify personal view when warranted clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions integrate information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source explain how it contributes to the topic, text, or issue under study bring debate back to topic as needed
Delineate specific claims, distinguishing those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.	present information, findings, supporting evidence in a coherent manner in which listeners can follow the reasoning, organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information

Instructions: Observe debate and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

©Thinkcerca.com Inc 2025

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Grade 9: Panel Discussion

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in panel discussion effectively.	build on others' ideas express personal ideas clearly and persuasively use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
Come to panel discussion prepared.	refer to evidence on topic or text from required material probe and reflect on ideas under discussion
Follow rules of panel discussion.	help develop rules for peer collaboration set goals and track deadlines with peers help define roles with peers bring discussion back to topic as needed
Pose and respond to questions with elaboration and detail.	review key ideas expressed demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing and modify personal views when warranted clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions integrate information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source explain how it contributes to the topic, text, or issue under study
Delineate specific claims, distinguishing those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.	present information, findings, supporting evidence in a coherent manner in which listeners can follow the reasoning, organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task strategically include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to enhance points

Instructions: Observe panel discussion and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

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Grade 9: Performance

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in discussions to prepare for performance effectively.	engage effectively with different partners/classmates follow rules of respectful discussion build on others' ideas express personal ideas clearly and persuasively
Prepare for performance.	set goals and track deadlines with peers help define roles with peers help define costumes, props, blocking and other elements of performance memorize lines and rehearses
Deliver polished performance for audience.	deliver well-executed performance of role demonstrate understanding of text use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate

Instructions: Observe performances and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

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Grade 9: Pitch

SPEAKING AND LISTENING

Grade Level Performance Standard	Evidence	Rating
Participate in pitch presentation effectively.	create a pitch applying pitch deck guidelines strategically use multimedia format (e.g. slides, recorded presentation, sound) and visual displays in presentation to enhance points
Create evidence based pitch.	refer to evidence on topic or text from required material probe and reflect on ideas presented in the pitch
Demonstrate understanding of purpose and audience.	review key ideas expressed demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing and modify personal view when warranted clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions integrate information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g. visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluate the credibility and accuracy of each source explain how it contributes to the topic, text, or issue under study
Delineate specific claims, distinguishing those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.	present information, findings, supporting evidence in a coherent manner in which listeners can follow the reasoning, organization, development, substance and style are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task

Instructions: Observe pitches and look for evidence of the following behaviors. Does Not Meet, Meets, Exceeds (for outstanding performance.)

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