Notes to a New Teacher: Give a listening charge

My Dear, 

When kids present to the class, the rest of the class often sits passively. They wait for the teacher to pronounce judgment about the answers the other groups share. Most of the time, they don’t listen at all. Instead, ask the students to evaluate the accuracy and quality of the answers their peer groups present to the class.

1. Give students a group task. 

2. Student groups present their ideas to the class.

3. The students in the other small groups converse to decide:

•  Is the answer correct or incorrect?     
• Why is the answer correct? or
• What adjustments need to be made to find the right answer? 

4. Groups share their feedback and evaluation with the group that presented their answer.

With Love, 

Your Advocate