TABLE VIII

Strategies to Extend Student Thinking

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Remember "wait time I and II"

Provide at least three seconds of thinking time after a questions and after a response.

Utilize "think-pair-share"

Allow individual thinking time, discussion with a partner, and then open up for the class discussion.

Ask "follow-ups"

Why? Do you agree? Can you elaborate? Tell me more. Can you give an example?

Withhold judgement

Respond to student answers in a non-evaluative fashion.

Ask for summary to promote active listening

"Could you please summarize John's point?"

Survey the class

"How many people agree with the author's point of view?" ("thumbs up, thumbs down")

Allow for students calling

"Richard, will you please call on someone else to respond?"

Play devil's advocate

Require students to defend their reasoning against different points of view.

Ask students to "unpack their thinking"

"Describe how you arrived at your answer." ("think aloud")

Call on students randomly

Avoid pattern of only calling on those students with raised hands

Encourage student questioning

Let the students develop their own questions.

Cue student responses

"There is not a single correct answer for this question. I want you to consider alternatives."

(From Jay McTighe, Language and Learning Improvement Branch, Division of Instruction, Maryland State Department of Education.)

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