Talk-Moves Decision Tree for Classroom Discourse¶
Run the Talk-Moves Decision Tree Fullscreen
About This MicroSim¶
This decision tree helps instructors choose the right talk move after a student contribution. It branches through four questions: Was the contribution clear? Does the reasoning need to be surfaced? Have other students engaged? Have you waited long enough? Each branch leads to a specific accountable-talk move -- Revoicing, Pressing for Reasoning, Restating/Adding On, or Wait Time -- with a sample teacher prompt and a note on the cognitive work the move is doing. Yellow diamonds are decision points, blue nodes are talk moves, and gray nodes explain the purpose.
Diagram Details¶
graph TD
ROOT["A student has just contributed to the discussion"]:::root --> Q1{"Was the contribution clear to the rest of the class?"}:::decision
Q1 -->|"No"| REVOICE["Revoicing: So you are saying that...?"]:::move
REVOICE --> NOTE1["Ensures the idea is public and accurately represented"]:::note
Q1 -->|"Yes"| Q2{"Does the reasoning behind the contribution need to be surfaced?"}:::decision
Q2 -->|"Yes"| PRESS["Pressing for Reasoning: Why do you think that? What is your evidence?"]:::move
PRESS --> NOTE2["Makes the thinking visible, not just the answer"]:::note
Q2 -->|"No"| Q3{"Have other students had the chance to engage with this idea?"}:::decision
Q3 -->|"No"| RESTATE["Restate or Add On: Can someone put that in their own words? Who can add to this?"]:::move
RESTATE --> NOTE3["Distributes cognitive work across the group"]:::note
Q3 -->|"Yes"| Q4{"Have you waited long enough for a thoughtful answer?"}:::decision
Q4 -->|"No"| WAIT["Wait Time: Pause 3-5 seconds before calling on anyone"]:::move
WAIT --> NOTE4["Gives all students time to formulate a response"]:::note
Q4 -->|"Yes"| NEXT["Move to the next discussion prompt"]:::root
classDef root fill:#4A90D9,stroke:#2C5F8A,color:#fff
classDef decision fill:#F0C75E,stroke:#D4A017,color:#333
classDef move fill:#4A90D9,stroke:#2C5F8A,color:#fff
classDef note fill:#E8E8E8,stroke:#999,color:#333,font-size:12px