Children dominate reading group but do not always get the correct answer

From recent recordings of a particular group in my dialogic reading comprehension sessions I have noticed how two children dominate the session. When I say dominate, I mean they always want to answer first and will continue to talk until another in the group has stopped.  They also take twice as long as everyone else in the group to get their point across and regularly fail to find and deliver the correct evidence from the text.  I think they are too preoccupied with being the first to speak and one of them regularly adds a comment in later such as, "Actually I disagree with what I said earlier" after they have had the benefit of listening to the rest of the group.

To solve this we need to discuss it as a class as it does happen in other groups too. It shows how important it is for children to listen to each other and reflect on what the other has said.

Transcript 21.06.13

Questions based on The Invisible Dog by Dick King-Smith

CT: “How do you know that Janie’s father tried to turn her off the idea of a Great Dane?”

(waited several seconds before choosing someone)

Child 1: “I know that her father tried to turn her off the idea of a Great Dane because at night her Mom and Dad were talking and her Mom said that if she.....”she’s kind of getting too far with the invisible dog.” So Dad says, “Are you trying to buy her a new dog?” Mom said, “Well, No.” So then Dad said, “No at the moment.” (57 secs to answer)

Child 2: “I know that Janie’s father was trying to turn Janie off the idea of a Great Dane because they are too expensive and they couldn’t afford Rupert.  I think Rupert was a Great Dane and they couldn’t afford him so they might not be able to afford this one and maybe ya.” (31 secs)

Child 3: “I know that Janie’s father tried to turn her off the idea of a Great Dane because in the book it said that Janie’s Dad said that it was only £300 but if he told her it was £500 pounds maybe she’ll forget all about it.”(26 secs)

Child 4: “ I disagree with Child 2 because they were affording....they could afford Rupert but they....if they bought a new Great Dane then they wouldn’t be able to afford and then they might lose all their money so then they wouldn’t be able to buy stuff”

Child 2: “I disagree with Child 4 because if they can’t get this Great Dane how were they supposed to get Rupert.”

(Both Child 4 and Child 2 have debated the point Child 2 originally made. This is great from a dialogic point of view however they have moved away from the question.

In addition Child 1 and 2 have not found the correct evidence from the text. They have deduced other evidence and their answers show knowledge and understanding. Child 3 has found the evidence I was looking for. This could also mean that the question is not clear enough!)