Strategies to Extend Student Thinking
v Remember “wait time one and two.”
Provide at least three seconds of thinking time after a question and after a response.
v Utilize “think, pair, share.”
Allow individual thinking time, discussion with a partner, and then open up for the class discussion.
v Ask “follow ups.”
Why? Do you agree? Can you elaborate? Tell me more. Can you give an example?
v Withhold judgment.
Respond to student answers in a non-evaluative fashion.
v Ask for a summary to promote active listening.
“Could you please summarize John's point?”
v Survey the class.
“How many people agree with this point of view?”
v Allow for student “calling.”
“Peggy, would you please call on someone else to respond?”
v Play devil's advocate.
Require students to defend their reasoning against different points of view.
v Ask students to “unpack their thinking.”
Think out loud and describe how you arrived at your answer.
v Call on students randomly.
Avoid the pattern of calling on only those students who raise hands.
v Encourage student questioning.
Let students develop their own questions.
v Cue student responses.
“There is not a single correct answer for this question. I want you to consider alternatives.”
Adapted from: Maryland State Department of Education
PROTEAM DREAMQUEST CURRICULUM
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