Wednesday, the 9th

Since we've talked a lot about cooperative learning and conversation in the classroom at UW, I am always on the watch for how these methods are being used in the classroom. I am really enjoying listening to the young ones converse and watching Jessie promote discussion amongst the kinders. One way she employs "think, pair, share" is through story time.

She'll read a couple pages, then pause, share a story about herself related to the theme of the book, tell the students to take a minute to think about something similar in their lives and turn to another student and share their story. Since young ones also have challenges paying attention for periods of time (something I have in common with them), this seems like an effective way to break up a story, as well as liven it up and make it more interactive. I could also see taking a moment during a story to act out a page, and/or stopping to have students predict what will happen next.