TWO WORDS- THE STRATEGY of STRATEGIES

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?

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Comments

[Mike Sansone]

Engaging Assessing

[Angela Maiers]

Mike - THANK YOU! (two words back at ya! )

[Delaney Kirk]

Great idea (see, two words!) I'm sharing it with my audience of college profs!

[Angela Maiers]

Delaney,
Go Girl! How do you like my two words! It is such a simple strategy-would love to know what your colleagues think and the different ways they could use this with students!

[Stephen Hopson]

How about three words?

THAT'S RIGHT STEPHEN!

Those were the 3 words uttered by my fifth grade teacher eons ago who forever set my life on fire and change me for the better.

I was a scrawny kid, deaf since birth and had a hearing aid box wrapped around my chest with cords running up to the ears. My self esteem was low and I had yellow buckteeth.

But those three words magically changed my life and I never forgot what she did on that day. Because of her, I went on to become a Wall Street stockbroker, motivational speaker, author and pilot.

Teachers ROCK!

[Angela Maiers]

Stephen-
Your words and story are an inspiration to all. It is a reminder to us that words matter. You are a testament that the choice words we select to respond to our students and to others can have lifelong effect. We choose the effects and impact the words make. Thank you for sharing your story here. My two words: amazing life!

[Hiram Cuevas]

Sounding Board