Teachers recognize the value of a class discussion. One of the problems with this technique is that some students avoid becoming engaged and give little thought to the topic. Kelli, my student-teacher figured out how to engage everyone.
First, Kelli told the students that she was going to pass out a paper. She instructed the students to put their name on the paper, read it over silently and think about their answer to the first question, but not to write anything besides their name.
It was obvious that students had been trained in how to efficiently distribute papers. In moments, the papers were passed out. Kelli was free to roam and point out models: students who were following directions. By identifying models, Kelli was able to get full compliance in record time.
After students had a few minutes to examine the first question, Kelli explained how she expected the students' answers to look. She put up a model answer on the board, and asked if anyone had questions.
Kelli then announced that students would have 3 minutes to record a rough-draft answer on their sheet. Afterwards they would share their sheet with a partner assigned by Kelli.
By giving them a time limit, Kelli let her students know that they had no time to waste and needed to get started. When she informed them they would share their answers with a partner, she plugged into the students' desires to look good in front of their peers.
Kelli told her students to begin and snapped her fingers. The snap seemed to wake up a quiet boy in the back who immediately began to work on his sheet. Nearly 100% of students were complying. Kelli approached Elle,our shy girl who appeared very uncomfortable. Later, Kelli told me that since Elle was new and far behind the other students. Kelli told the new girl just to copy the model from the board. Voila! 100% on-task students.
After students had finished their partner sharing—where they were encouraged to change and/or develop their answers based on their peer interactions—Kelli asked if any students wanted to share their answers with the class. A forest of hands went up and an amazing class discussion ensued.
Kelli put the key points on a poster. She planned to use the poster for her next lesson.
What amazed me was how she was able to engage every student in discussion. She said the worksheet caused every student to think about the topic deeply prior to the discussion, so they could all contribute. Her classroom routines allowed her to move efficiently through her lesson.
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