Chat Share #3 - response to RELEVANCE/Not Rules

Thank you anonymous for your COMMENT on RELEVANCE (CHAT SHARE # 2). I completely agree that compliance to rules, like not talking out, is not at all a measure of engagement (though it is helpful for the learning environment for short direct instructional times.) I look for MOTIVATION,active involvement and the students either leading the discussions or producing the "product" as you say.
I've noticed that getting the students to take over can be hard at the beginning of the year, as they are trying to abide by procedures and may be shy in front of new classmates and a new teacher. The students certainly need direct positive feedback to feel confident in their opinions, without worrying about being "wrong" - especially for math. So far, I am having students practice looking at each other when they share their thoughts, and not always at me. This helps create an environment that is student centered, and open to peer discussion. When young children discuss topics with one another, and don't just answer questions, they themselves bring context and relevance to the lesson with concrete, example-based child thinking. Again, this takes practice at the early elementary level - but I see it working already!

Furthermore, on the idea of COMPLIANCE, children naturally need to speak and move. I believe in having partner and group collaboration and moving between tables be part of my lessons - so long as it is controlled and the students know how to share the floor, and when and how to stop and listen. When the procedures for being safe and fair are in place, children can not only absorb ideas and knowledge, but they can apply them to projects and activities that have RELEVANT CONTEXTS.

Thanks Again & Happy Teaching1 - Ms. Chatty