The Teaching Strategy
1. Seat the students in a circle--or the nearest approximation. Students should not have their backs to each other. This way they can see each other and be seen as they read. The attention will be focused on the reader.
2. Distribute as many blank strips of papers as there are students in the class. Students write a compliment to each classmate as he/she reads.
3. Students write each reader's name on the paper. So if Vonda volunteers to read her paper first everyone in the class writes Vonda's name or strip. (This is also a way for students to learn their classmates' names.)
4. Tell students they must respond with a positive comment to each writer. Emphasize that by listening and "stealing" what works in their class mates' writing, they will improve their own. Write a list of ways to respond on the board.
The class should free from the traditional rows of desks and able to see the teacher and other classmates' while writing and proofing each other's papers.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I also really liked this strategy. It makes the students really pay attention because they have to respond to it. It is too easy for students to drift off into other thoughts instead of listening during these kinds of activities if they are not given an assignment or a reason for paying close attention. All seemed well with this strategy until I thought back on some classes that I have thought. A teacher needs to really know the students in the class before attempting this because this gives some students the opportunity to insult others by trying to make the class laugh. But I think it could be effective in the right setting.
This strategy seems like it would help out a lot in the classroom not only with a lesson, but also building a classroom enviroment where everyone can hear eachothers opinions and be willing to participate. I really enjoyed the oppertunity to witness this in class. If this is done right and planned out, the students should respond well to this new way of teaching.
Post a Comment