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I do get lots of crickets during lessons, which is frustrating for me.  I'm still working on the wait time.  It's difficult in kinder because they all tend to raise their hand to answer without really having an answer.  So I usually tell them to wait for me to ask the question and wait a couple seconds before they raise their hands.   

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I do get lots of crickets during lessons, which is frustrating for me.  I'm still working on the wait time.  It's difficult in kinder because they all tend to raise their hand to answer without really having an answer.  So I usually tell them to wait for me to ask the question and wait a couple seconds before they raise their hands.   

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Gilda

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I find that in giving that wait time, and allowing for accountable talk within their groups, productive struggle occurs within their small, risk taking group. Teaching students to not automatically give out the answer,(which reminds me not to give the answer) allows for discussion that guides students to figure it out through group think alouds.

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I find that in giving that wait time, and allowing for accountable talk within their groups, productive struggle occurs within their small, risk taking group. Teaching students to not automatically give out the answer,(which reminds me not to give the answer) allows for discussion that guides students to figure it out through group think alouds.

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Alisha

Love the idea of teaching them to use wait time within their small groups! ~ Brandy

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Our class made this poster as a reminder for the times when we are feeling discouraged and defeated.
We worked on it as a group and we refer to it when one of these times comes along:)
Claudia

What a great visual -- thanks so much for sharing! ~ Brandy

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This week I am working on allowing more wait time and giving the students a chance to process the question/problem before I respond. Also, while giving the students this wait time I have been discussing the process of “productive struggle” and the reason I am not just giving them the answer as soon as they begin to struggle. I have been reminding the students of their strategies and to use their resources provided to guide them to the correct answer. It’s been great seeing the students use their strategies and apply what they know, instead of just depending on me to give them the answer! -Rachel

That is so awesome - I love that you are sharing the "why" with them and that they are applying what they know! ~ Brandy

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Wait Time!

It is always awkward.  Silence for us  is challenging, waiting for those cogs to turn in our fast paced environment.  But, when I remind myself to wait.....it is always amazing to see what responses are given.  So often we respond to the same few kids who respond quickly and impulsively.  Wait time captures the thoughts of the deep thinkers and slower processors.  Many times they may know the answer or have something valuable to share but they will only share if given the time.......................... to think and respond.

I agree - I have to  make myself count in my head or think through the question myself in order to not jump in. However, when I wait, the discussions are always much richer! ~ Brandy

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Yesterday I went to prep thinking I don’t always think through EVERY possible misunderstanding, but today I had a student that reminded me he could really benefit from me focusing on time! I have noticed all year that he needed extra time when responding, today we had a lesson in reading and he learned that Mrs. Cotton will out wait him, and if we run out of time, we will come back to it later. I was also really purposeful in some lessons today about counting my wait time to help myself be conscientious about waiting long enough.
-Ashley

So true  - I saw a movie this weekend and the student said, "usually if I wait and smile, the teacher gives me the answer!" So true - they learn early how to get what they want. Love it! ~ Brandy

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Pay attention to how students receive praise and think of new ways to give praise. Shannon Archer

I'm so guilty of getting stuck in one way of praising - so valuable to treat our students as the individuals that they are and teach to their natural bend. ~ Brandy