Speaking & Listening - Liz

I have found this standard a really tricky one to assess, and find opportunities for formal practice (followed by assessment). I feel that so many of the other standards are more concrete and seem to make more sense to me, as well as to the students. I use lots of turn and talk in my classroom, as well as group work and discussion, so I've been able to get a handle on it a bit that way, but I knew I needed to step it up a bit. I'm still working on it, but one of the ways I've started to more "officially" tackle parts of the standard is through quick, but planned, presentations. I focused on this standard:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.A
Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion.

Recently, my students completed book clubs as part of the first reading unit of study. Before moving on to the next part of the unit, I gave each group about 15 minutes to plan a short book talk about their club book to present to the class. There were just a few guidelines: tell the title and author, a brief summary without spoiling the ending or any twists, and someone they'd recommend the book to and why. I also told them that every group member needed to be involved in some way.  The students were excited to present, and also interested in hearing their classmates' presentations. The presentations were short, but by circulating during the planning process, and then listening to the presentations, I was able to quickly assess each student's preparation and delivery of the material. I've since been looking for more opportunity for these more "formal" presentations, so that students can practice, but also become more comfortable with preparing and speaking about various topics.