Collaborative Conversations

This year, McKinley’s focus is on collaborative conversations—structured opportunities for students to talk with each other and their teachers to explain thinking, justify reasoning, use evidence, and make connections. We chose this focus both to address assessment data showing a need in listening and speaking, and to respond to a growing trend: more behind-the-screen communication and fewer face-to-face interactions. In an age of “text-talk” and multitasking, students need explicit practice in active listening, building on others’ ideas, and speaking with clarity and respect—skills that today’s college- and career-ready standards require.

Some benefits of Collaborative Conversations include:

• Strengthens listening and speaking skills while deepening understanding of concepts.
• Develops higher-order thinking, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills transferable across subjects.
• Increases student engagement.
• Promotes a positive school culture by fostering relationship-building.
• Rapidly develops academic language for English learners.
• Aligns directly with District, LCAP, SPSA, and McKinley goals.