Not only is it hard for us as teachers to discipline ourselves to allow time for a response - but we must also teach our students (the ones waiting) how to wait respectfully. I am not real fond of calling on raised hands, so I have taught my students to "talk into the space". When no one else is speaking, they may add their thoughts. When it comes to think time, they have to learn how to honor time for thinking. We have come up with a signal - if I, or the student who is to speak use the symbol, students wait quietly. I also use "my turn cards". I have a set of index cards with each student's name on a different card. I use the card on top to call on a child to think and respond. They must respond in some way, even if it is just to restate what was last said to ensure understanding of that statement.
Wait time has made a HUGE difference in my classroom, and not only in reading response. It is amazing at math time. Some of the best learning has come from what students think about the math problem, and some students need lots of time to formulate their thinking as a response that others can follow and understand. Jan We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled, but as candles to be lit. -Robert Shaffer ----- Original Message ----- From: Ellin Keene<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: understand@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:understand@literacyworkshop.org> Sent: Thursday, November 13, 2008 10:08 AM Subject: Re: [Understand] But If you did know I just wanted to thank Rhonda for her comments about Chapter 3. I have found the same response from children of all ages when they are given just a bit more time to dwell in the idea. I often think about how I would respond if a teacher said (and they often did), "Answer this question, correctly, brilliantly, insightfully and FAST!" I would, in a word, choke. Yet that's what I see all the time when I visit classrooms. We adults are uncomfortable with the silence that is necessary when someone is given the necessary time to think, so we fill it in with "anyone else?" or "I'll get back to you when you think of something," and they learn quickly to respond with, "I don't know" or "I forgot." It seems so simple to give them time to think, but I've found that it takes a level of discipline that I had to work very hard to obtain. The results almost never disappoint, however. If everyone took just that one lesson from To Understand - give them the time to think and trust that they will say something insightful - I'd be a very happy author! Thanks, Rhonda and best to all the list serv readers. ellin keene _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org<mailto:Understand@literacyworkshop.org> http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org<http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org> _______________________________________________ Understand mailing list Understand@literacyworkshop.org http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/listinfo/understand_literacyworkshop.org
