There have been several Ask Angela questions this week regarding active participation:
- How do I know my students are really listening when they do not say anything during group discussion?
- How do I get students to share their thinking with me?
- What is a good way to assess "on the run" if students are really listening and understanding what I am saying?
One of my favorite strategies for "checking in" is called the TWO WORD STRATEGY. I use this this with kids and grownups in my presentation and workshops.
Here is how it works:
Choose a point in the lesson or group discussion that you think warrants reflection or active learning. Ask the students or group members to stop, reflect on the content presented, and synthesize their most important thoughts and ideas down to only two words. This may sound easy, but it is difficult to express yourself in only two words. Be sure to encourage, not judge as learners share out their responses.
Here’s why I love this strategy:
- It can be used with any audience: regardless of any age, grade, or content.
- It can be employed at any time: before the discussion starts, during the presentation, or afterwards as participants reflect on key ideas.
- It is a powerful assessment tool: In an instant, I can hear what my audience is thinking and wondering based on their two words shared.
- Everyone participates: the two words can be written down, shared with a neighbor, or communicated as a group. Everyone has a chance to pause and reflect about what matters most to them as active participants in the learning experience.
- It’s simple-no fancy forms, assessments, calculation. In seconds, you know if things are making sense and if your audience is there with you.
So next time you are looking for a way for students to engage, participate, and join the learning conversations, give this strategy a try! What do you think..two words, anyone?
