Teachers informally check for understanding throughout the class period by asking questions of students. Below are strategies to add to your teacher "toolkit" to extend student thinking in the classroom.
Utilize "think-pair-share" - 30 seconds of think time; one minute of discussion with partner; open up the class to discussion
Remember "wait time" - 10 to 20 seconds following a higher-level question
Ask "follow-ups" - Why do you think...? Do you agree? Can you elaborate ...? What evidence supports...?
Survey the class - How many people agree...? Thumbs up; thumbs down.
Ask for a summary - Could you please summarize ____'s point/answer? (promote active listening).
I will use this to remind my teachers of these strategies. It is common for teachers to forget some of the simplest and most effective strategies to implement in their classrooms!
ReplyDeleteAnother strategy that I have seen teachers use is to have the students go back into group discussion or think-pair-share if they cannot answer the question at first. Then go back to the same child or group again to see if they can now answer the question. All of this you have mentioned really works.
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