Better Conversations
Coaching Ourselves and Each Other to Be More Credible, Caring, and Connected
- Jim Knight - University of Kansas, USA
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 Conversations and the accompanying Reflection Guide to Better Conversations.
Free resources
Webinar: Better Conversations
Unpack with Jim Knight, bestselling author of Better Conversations, what it takes to improve schools by improving communication among administrators, teachers, and coaches.
“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.”
“Better Conversations stimulates the mind, spirit, and soul of those who coach, regardless of their role or position, by unpacking and reshaping the mental models that drive how they think, speak, and act. . . I found myself frequently thinking about how helpful this book will be to nearly every human who interacts with others whether in school or beyond.”
“I read more education books than I care to admit. Some are good, some are bad, and very few are great. Jim Knight’s book Better Conversations is BRILLIANT! Insightful, innovative, and practical are the three words that kept coming to me when I was reading and learning from his book. Jim treats the subject of communication as an art and gives all of us, regardless of position or years of experience, practical ways to use our voice to improve the teaching and learning environment, as well as ourselves!”
“Better Conversations is just what the title says. Jim Knight moves learning conversations ahead for educators to deepen trust, meaning, and actions. He summarizes current thinking from multiple authors that will make learning for adults and students better. Activities at the end of each chapter can be used for self-reflection, team learning, and schoolwide focus on learning. The vignettes are real issues in schools, which makes this book very important for our profession.”
“Doing the Better Conversation study, I think I have started to see a better version of myself, and who doesn’t want that? . . . “
“The Better Conversations process pushed me to video record myself in the same way that I ask others to engage in video protocols with the purpose of deeper understanding. Reflecting on my experiences felt like a gift I gave myself. I actually savored the time and experience of answering questions and considering my strengths as well as areas in which I can grow.”
“I find that I am using the Better Conversations process in all walks of life, not just in professional coaching. I am seeing aspects of my personal life differently because I am focusing on what I can do to control my reactions to situations. It is forcing me to think more about practicing what I preach.”
“I’ve learned a lot by reading through the materials, practicing the activities, and changing entrenched responses. I have slowed down, learned to listen, and become keenly aware of choices I have in communicating with those I come in contact. This has become a very empowering series of skills.”
“I have been able to carry these practices into conversations with my children, which is really making for some great dialogue. When I talk to them and not judge what they say and truly listen and treat them as equals in the conversation, I find that they share more with me.”
“Video forced me to take a hard look at my coaching skills and practices, as well as my relationships with the staff I work with. I have realized the true power of video through watching myself interact with others, and it has made me more willing and excited to continue using video to improve my communication skills.”
Sample Materials & Chapters
Looking Back: Fostering Dialogue Worksheet
Looking At: Fostering Dialogue Worksheet, Part 1
Looking At: Fostering Dialogue Worksheet, Part 2
The Power of Clear Explanations Blog Post, Radical Learners
The Power of Listening Blog Post, Radical Learners
Lesson 1: Responding to Reading
Lesson 2: Writing Fiction for Readers
Chapter 2: Cultural Proficiency: The Conceptual Framework and Tools
Chapter 1: Are You a Change Agent?
Chapter 2: Assembling Your Crew
Chapter 1: Disrupting Pedagogy
Chapter 1: Becoming Expert Educators
Chapter 2: Partnerships with and for Learners
Chapter 1. The Selection of a Research Approach
Chapter 2. Review of the Literature
Chapter 1. Develop a Relationship With Your Child
Chapter 2. Hug, Rock, and Love Your Child
Chapter 1: Starting With Our Students and Ourselves
Chapter 2: Integrating the Regulations and Principles
Chapter 2: Foundations of Dual Language Programs
Chapter 1: On the Teaching of Souls Toward Long-Term Flourishing
Chapter 2: The Five Key Beliefs: How They Work
Chapter 1: Wisdom Helps You Grow
Chapter 2: Getting Started ~ Create A Community Of Learners
Chapter 1: Success Starts With Understanding Needs
Chapter 2: What’s Going on Here: Barriers and Strengths
Chapter 1: How Students Learn Languages
Chapter 2: Apprenticeship Experiences in Small Groups
Module 1. Engagement—From Disrupting to Driving Learning
Module 2. Learners Know Their Current Level of Understanding
Chapter 1: Demographics and Determinants
Chapter 2: Instructional Framework For Experienced Multilinguals
Principle 1: Create a Culture That Engages Every Family
Principle 2: Communicate Effectively and Develop Relationships
Chapter 2: Feedback From the Perspective of the Learner
Chapter 2: Constructive-Developmental Theory: A New Lens on Social Justice Capac
Chapter 1: Introducing a Developmental Model for Justice-Centering Educational L
Chapter 1: What Does It Mean to Be Good at Math?
Chapter 2: Beyond Numbers and Equations
Chapter 1: The Foundations of Scaffolding
Chapter 2: The Origins of Scaffolding
Principle 1: Gather Information
Principle 2: Control What You Can
Chapter 1: What Is Critical Comprehension?
Chapter 2: Exploring Identities
Chapter 1: The Case for Teaching Critical Reading and Fighting Fake News
Chapter 2: Fake News: What It Is, Why It Works, and What We Can Start Doing Abou
Chapter 1: Learning About Multilingual Learners
Chapter 2: Climate for Learning
Pillar 1. The Journey to Self-Mastery
Chapter 1: Element 1: Understand the Components of Research-Informed Project-Bas
Chapter 2: Element 2: Understand the Basics of the CASEL 5 (for SEL) and Emotion
Chapter 1: Personal Considerations
Chapter 2: The Dissertation Terrain
Chapter 1: What Makes Grading So Difficult to Talk About (and Even Harder to Cha
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Grading
Chapter 1: The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat
Chapter 2: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith
Chapter 1: Purpose: Why Am I Writing This?
Chapter 2: Audience: Who Am I Writing This For?
Chapter 2: Alignment and Assessment
Chapter 1: From Subtractive Schooling Models to Dual Language Models That Lead t
Chapter 2: From Culturally and Linguistically Subtractive to Culturally and Ling
Chapter 1: Starting With Ourselves: We Teach Who We Are
Chapter 2: Creating Brave Spaces: Community First
Chapter 1: To Be, or Not to Be
Chapter 2: The Developing Self
Chapter 2: Issues in Assessment for Multilingual Learners
Chapter 1: Empowering Multilingual Learners and Teachers Through Assessment
Chapter 1: Starting With Ourselves: We Teach Who We Are
Chapter 2: Creating Brave Spaces: Community First
Chapter 1: The Living Constitution
Chapter 2: Understanding the U.S. Supreme Court
Chapter 1: STEM Across the Disciplines as Mutually Supportive
Chapter 2: ISP 1: Use Critical and Creative Thinking to Seek Solutions
Chapter 1: Why You Need This Book to Support MLs
Chapter 2: Using a Culturally Responsive Framework to Leverage the Strengths and
Chapter 1: Stem Across The Disciplines As Mutually Supportive
Chapter 2: Isp 1: Use Critical And Creative Thinking To Seek Solutions
Part 2. Forming Positive Relationships With Your Students
Chapter 1: Why Introducing All Students to Grade-Level Content Is Key (and Commo
Chapter 2: What Is Differentiated Phonics Instruction? (and Why It Lifts Even St
Module 1: Identifying Concepts and Skills
Module 2: Sequencing Learning Progressions
Section 1: Creating the Climate for Learning
Section 2: Planning For Learning
Mindframe 1: We invite all to learn
Mindframe 2: We value student engagement in learning
Section 1: Tasks for Students at the Entering Level of English Language Proficie
Section 2: Tasks for Students at the Emerging Level of English Language Proficie
Chapter 2: Writing Prompts and Avoiding Plagiarism
Chapter 1: Why Sel For Mls Matters
Chapter 2: The Sel Framework For Mls
Chapter 1: Teaching Reading Across the Day
Chapter 2: Engaging, Explicit Instruction
Chapter 1: Understanding Parent Capacity and Its Role in School Success
Chapter 2: Building Relationships With Parents
Chapter 1: History of Using Whiteness to Create Ethno-Racial Segregation
Chapter 1: The Budget–Vision Relationship and the National Standards
Chapter 2: Culture, Data, Conflict Resolution, and Celebrating Success
Chapter 1: Establish Credibility
Chapter 2: Build and Sustain Rapport
Chapter 2: Fear of Losing the Standard
Anderson Teaching_ Look Inside Content
Cherry-Paul Antiracist_ Look Inside Content
Guskey Grading_Look Inside Content
Honigsfeld Colloboration _Look Inside Content
Jung Assessing Students 1E_Look Inside Content
Wiliam Student Assessment_Look Inside Content
Assof_Math Look Inside Content
Campbell_2e Look Inside Content
Johnson_Good Look Inside Content
Walther_More Look Inside Content
Chapter 1: Introduction to Psychology
Chapter 2: The Science of Psychology: Research Methods and Statistics
Benegas_Language_Look Inside Content
Burwell_Power_Look Inside Content
Gottlieb_Collaborative_Look Inside Content
Tate_Engaging_Look Inside Content
Trujillo_Teaching_Look Inside Content
Vakharia_Math_Look Inside Content
