This time of year is always filled with “New Year Resolutions” of how we want to improve ourselves and begin with a fresh start. Our students feel the same way, yet need your guidance, support and opportunity to do so. Students want to come to school and be successfully engaged. One way to do this is to set up a transparent routine when calling on our students.
As teachers, we fall into routines of calling on students who will “add to our lesson” and often unintentionally tend to leave some students out. One way to ensure we do not fall into this category is to begin a non-biased system for calling on students. Possible systems include Popsicle sticks with a student name on each in a can and draw a stick OR you could use apps like Stick Pick (used to be free but now cost money) or Randomly (free). This transparent process gives all students the same chance of being called on and ensures you treat all students fairly in your classroom. It also keeps all students on alert.
If you are fearful that some students may need support in answering, then allow students to sit with question partners in which they can consult. This helps build classroom community as well.
The second semester is also a time to make sure we are asking higher level questions that make students dig deeper. I found this simple chart that is a quick way to make students justify their answers and help create critical discussions in your classroom.
Looking forward to 2017 with you!
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