Structuring classroom discussions increases participation and outcomes. The pictures below illustrate Megan Montgomery's ELA students engaging in the +1 protocol. 

The structure included brainstorming a list of key ideas that you recall from the book, their analysis, and/or their previous discussions. Next, students shared their thoughts with each other and added to each other's lists. 

Students were asked to add one of the following to the list:

• An elaboration on one item on the list
• A new point that you think is missing from the list
• Draw and explain a connection between two items on the list.

Montgomery's students were implementing the Harvard Thinking Routine:  Synthesizing & Organizing Ideas

“Routines that help students find coherence, draw conclusions, and distill the essence of topics or experiences.”