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Walk, Talk, Decide

This partner strategy allows students to work together to solve a problem or respond to a question. Students walk around the room while having a structured talk with a partner, providing an opportunity to move and process their learning.

How to use

1. Prepare & Pose

Prepare a prompt or question that has multiple answers and requires discussion. Pose the prompt to students and tell them how long they will have to discuss with a partner. At the end of this time, they will share their response with the class.

2. Walk & Talk

Students pair up and walk around the room with their partner the allotted time. During this time, they are discussing their response. They must agree on a response that they will share with the rest of the class.

3. Freeze

After the allotted time has passed, ask students to freeze where they are. Do a quick whip around the room to hear each partner group’s response.

4. Discuss

Be sure to discuss any errors in thinking or misconceptions that were shared, as well as point out any great ideas.

When to use

Use Walk, Talk, Decide at any time during a lesson to encourage accountable talk:

• As a warm-up activity to discuss previous lesson or homework assignment
• During class discussions as a way for students to discuss ideas before sharing them with the class
• During Guided Practice to get students talking about the material just covered
• As a closing activity so that students can synthesize new learning or apply it in a new context

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