Give Them the Language to Disagree
Give learners language to challenge a claim respectfully and support the disagreement with evidence.
Worked model: Give Them the Language to Disagree
View the illustrated activity card
- 1Give learners language to challenge a claim respectfully and support the disagreement with evidence
- 2State a disagreement using a respectful opening
- 3Offer evidence or a reason that challenges the claim
- 4Invite a response and revise the claim if the evidence warrants it
“I read the poster differently because its purpose was persuasion. It shows the promoted message, but not everyone’s opinion.” The disagreement concerns what the source supports.
Teach the move
Prepare · 5 minutes
Choose a question with competing interpretations and evidence to discuss.
- 1
Give learners language to challenge a claim respectfully and support the disagreement with evidence.
- 2
State a disagreement using a respectful opening.
- 3
Offer evidence or a reason that challenges the claim.
- 4
Invite a response and revise the claim if the evidence warrants it.
EAL upgrade
Remove the opening bank once learners can challenge ideas productively.
Keep the subject challenge. Offer one model, visual or language prompt where needed, then check a fresh independent response.
Try it tomorrow
Choose a question with competing interpretations and evidence to discuss.
Give learners language to challenge a claim respectfully and support the disagreement with evidence. State a disagreement using a respectful opening.
Listen for a claim, reason and relevant evidence rather than a disagreement phrase alone.
Remove the opening bank once learners can challenge ideas productively.
What to look for
Listen for a claim, reason and relevant evidence rather than a disagreement phrase alone.
Teacher language
Adapt these prompts to the task and your learners.
Our purpose is: Give learners language to challenge a claim respectfully and support the disagreement with evidence.
Show the relationship and explain the choice you made.
Try the new case on your own. Show the detail or reasoning that supports your answer.
Which support do you still need, and which part can you now do independently?
Across subjects
Science: challenge an explanation using a result. Maths: challenge a solution with a counterexample.
Adjust language support
Use a small word bank, visuals and partner rehearsal when needed. Extend with precise explanations and qualifications. Judge the support from the response to this task.