Think-Pair-Share
Think-pair-share is a learning strategy where student’s work together to answer a question the teacher has asked about the reading. This strategy has students first think about something or an answer to a question by themselves. Next they will share their ideas with an elbow partner or someone sitting near them. This strategy is useful because it helps with participation of all students in the class. Think-pair-share also helps keep the students attention and engage them, which will help with comprehending the material.
The teacher can observe the students while they are discussing with their partner to make sure everyone is participating and listen to what they tell their peers. The teacher can also be there for support if any of the students are stuck and need some extra help. This strategy helps ELLs by first having a chance to discuss with a peer. They are first talking with only one person and if they do not quite understand, their partner can help them out. If you have more than one ELL who speaks the same language you can pair them up to give them an opportunity to speak in their first language. This way they can better explain their thoughts and solidify their learning. Even though the students may not be able to tell you everything they want to say because they lack the oral language skills, they are still learning at a higher level because they can discuss in their first language.
The teacher can observe the students while they are discussing with their partner to make sure everyone is participating and listen to what they tell their peers. The teacher can also be there for support if any of the students are stuck and need some extra help. This strategy helps ELLs by first having a chance to discuss with a peer. They are first talking with only one person and if they do not quite understand, their partner can help them out. If you have more than one ELL who speaks the same language you can pair them up to give them an opportunity to speak in their first language. This way they can better explain their thoughts and solidify their learning. Even though the students may not be able to tell you everything they want to say because they lack the oral language skills, they are still learning at a higher level because they can discuss in their first language.
You could use this strategy in math. The students can first think about certain formulas then get with a partner and share what they think. They can then share with the whole class or a different group. This would help students understand why there are formulas in math and what each is used for.
You could use this strategy in science. First the students could think about a way they would like to prove a hypothesis. Next, they can get with their partner and talk about their ideas and see what they think would be the best way. They could then share with the class or another group. You can also have your class do the hypothesis they think would be best and see how it turns out.
You could also use this strategy in reading. You could use this strategy to help students understand some poetry or other complicated readings. The students can think about what they think a poem means, get with a partner and share what they think the poem means. Poems can have many different meanings. By being paired with someone, you can see different perspectives.