Hi Folks!
I decided to go back to the web site I established while participating in the STEP grant two years ago. Wow! My STEP blog was still there, and so I opened this one. I added all of your names. You each will have received an invitation unless I typed or copied something incorrectly. Let me know if one of our cohorts has not received an invite to be a contributor.
Please add some thoughts prior to our next meeting on Tuesday, December 21, 2010, at 2:45-3:45. Those who attended will vouch for the timeframe - we did not go past the time noted at our November meeting. And, yes, there will be refreshments at this next gathering!
I am using the "No Opt Out" technique fairly successfully. However, there is one kiddo I just can't budge. She rarely responds to any questions, even to state her name. She's extremely quiet and non-verbal. My recent attempt to bring her into the conversation while using "No Opt Out" suddenly provoked a very loud, "NO!" Meaning, of course, she was not going to repeat anything. Hmm. Was that a successful response? Knowing this child as well as I do after two years, I would have to say a resounding, "Yes!" Sometimes, our successes come in disguise.
"No Opt out" for me earlier is not big deal. I just let it pass if students can't say an answer. However, after I read the book, I realized that it is very crucial so every student sitting in the class is not exempted in the learning process and that makes him a responsible learner. I have tried it in my ESOL class. The students were quite reluctant but as I have said to them, no one is excluded. In an ESOL class, I have to break it gently to them otherwise they shun from the challenge. But so far, it is good. I popularly use "Format matters" considering that my students are English language learners, saying their answers in complete sentences is a very suitable avenue for language practice.
ReplyDelete