Think about the times when you have had a really great talk with someone. It might be a great conversation with a parent, a best friend, or even a stranger. What made it so great? Now, think about the times when you had to talk with someone and it was awful. What made that conversation so powerfully bad?  At PNA, students are taught how to communicate effectively. In fact, 3rd to 5th grade students are expected to meet the following Speaking and Listening standards:
ELA-LITERACY.SL
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3/4/5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1/4.1 /5.1 B
  Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1/4.1/5.1.C
  Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.

​In 4th/5th grade science, students were taught different ways to partner talk, how to agree and disagree politely, and how to compromise. After setting clear expectations, students filled in a contract to record agreements about how they will work together. This partnership contract encourages student ownership and accountability. 

Nowadays, some kids spend more time on video games than outside playing with other kids. Therefore, they don’t get enough time to learn about social cues and body language that would help them have powerful conversations. Fortunately, at PNA, students given daily opportunities to develop their communication skills.