Kagan Structures #19 Paraphrase Passport: Passports to Speak

To be used with Kagan style lessons or as an active listening activity.

Kagan Structure number 19: Paraphrase Passport
Students earn a passport to speak by accurately paraphrasing the prior speaker. Paraphrase Passport promotes active listening.

Step 1: Teacher Assigns Topic
The teacher assigns an open-ended discussion topic. e.g. “What are your feelings about stem cells?” Or, “What do you think might happen next in the story?”
Step 2: One Person Shares
One person in the pair or team shares an idea.
Step 3: Paraphrase and Check
Any student can share his or her idea next, but first he or she must paraphrase the person who spoke immediately before, checking for accuracy before sharing his or her own idea. “You think it’s a terrific idea for scientists to grow organs from patients’ own cells because it will save lives and improve quality of life. Did I hear you right?”
Step 4: Offer Passport or Rephrase
If the student who was paraphrased feels the paraphrase accurately reflected his or her thoughts, the student offers the passport for the paraphraser to speak. “You understood my thinking.” If the paraphrased student does not feel the paraphrase was accurate, the student takes responsibility, saying, “I don’t think I got my idea across. Let me try again.” After hearing the idea rephrased by the speaker, the person paraphrasing has another opportunity to earn the passport to speak.