Better Conversations Book Study

Welcome to the Better Conversations Book Study.  Better Conversations by Jim Knight.  In this book study we will work together to become better communicators in our profession.
(From the Back Cover)

“I thought I knew how to have a conversation; I’ve had millions of them.  Some were good, others not so much so. But I want to have GREAT conversations, and Jim Knight has taught me how. The proof is in: better conversations are possible and the results are worth the investment.”
–DOUGLAS FISHER
Coauthor of Rigorous Reading and Unstoppable Learning

Because conversation is the lifeblood of any school
You don’t want this book―you need this book. Why this confident claim? Think about how many times you’ve walked away from school conversations, sensing they could be more productive, but at a loss for how to improve them.

Enter instructional coaching expert Jim Knight, who in Better Conversations honors our capacity for improving our schools by improving our communication. Asserting that our schools are only as good as the conversations within them, Jim shows us how to adopt the habits essential to transforming the quality of our dialogues.

As coaches, as administrators, as teachers, it’s time to thrive. Learn how to:

  • Coach ourselves and each other to become better communicators
  • Listen with empathy
  • Find common ground
  • Build Trust

Our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth depends upon our doing this hard work. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, open our minds, and dare to change for the better of the students we serve. You can get started now with Better Conversationsand the accompanying Reflection Guide to Better Conversations.

Book Study Parts

The book study nitty-gritty:  You will receive 6 hours of Professional Learning credit for taking part in this study and completing all online discussions. There are nine chapters in Better Conversations with a cooresponding blog post and discussion questions.  You can find the blog post and discussion questions below.  If you have questions, you can use the help button.

THE HELP BUTTON

Better Conversations Chapter 1

Better Conversations Chapter 1

(Suggested Completion Date: June 15th) Welcome to the first part of the Better Conversations book study.  This chapter, in a nut shell, introduced us to the two main pillars of the book: creating better conversations by building better communication beliefs and...

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Better Conversations Chapter 2

Better Conversations Chapter 2

(Suggested Completion Date: June 29th) Welcome to the second part of the Better Conversations book study.  Chapter two focuses on the 6 Better Conversations Beliefs: I see conversation partners as equals I want to hear what other have to say I believe people should...

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Better Conversations Chapter 3

Better Conversations Chapter 3

(Suggested Completion Date: July 13th) Chapter three is about listening with Empathy.  Knight identifies two types of empathy: Affective Empathy: sharing or mirroring another person's emotions Cognitive Empathy: making an imaginative leap and recognizing that other...

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Better Conversations Chapter 4

Better Conversations Chapter 4

(Suggested Completion Date: July 27th) Welcome to the fourth part of the Better Conversations book study.  In this chapter Jim Knight focusing on fostering dialogue.  Dialogue can be pratical (everyone is involved in the conversation) or moral (fully humanizing...

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Better Conversations Chapter 5

Better Conversations Chapter 5

(Suggested Completion Date: August 10th) We are to the halfway point in the book and this chapter is all about asking better questions. To excel at asking better questions there are three strategies to practice: Be curious Ask open, opinion questions Be nonjudgmental...

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