| Teaching
Ideas and Units - Teaching Strategies
Think-pair-share
Speaking
and listening
Bands A, B, C, D
What
is it?
Think-Pair-Share is a cooperative learning strategy, which allows students
to think about a question/idea/issue/notion and share their thoughts with
a partner before discussion in a small group.
What is its purpose?
The strategy allows students to share their thoughts in a non-threatening
situation and involves all members of a group rather than the more confident,
articulate few. Students learn to share with a range of class members
rather than remaining within their peer group. The opinions of all members
of the class are valued. The focus is on short-term, purposeful talk.
How
do I do it?
Explain the purpose of the strategy to the class and the idea/issue/problem,
which is to be discussed. A revision of listening skills is also useful
here. (Eye contact, non-verbal encouragement such as nodding, no put downs,
no interrupting.) The process may include the following steps:
- Identify
the point of discussion
- Allow
think time as students think individually
- Have
students face a partner and share their ideas
- The pair
contributes to a larger group or the whole class and ideas are recorded
- Use the
shared list of ideas for future work or to create a new idea
How can I adapt it?
Double
up a Think-Pair-Share into a Think-Four-Share where two pairs share and
one member of the group acts as reporter.
How
can it be used to evaluate students' language learning?
Listening skills, communication skills, using appropriate structures and
features of spoken language, effective note taking and co-operative skills
are most effectively assessed when using this strategy.
Where
can I find out more?
Bennett, B, Rolheiser C, Stevahn, L (1991) Co-operative Learning, Where
Heart Meets Mind, Educational Connections, Ontario.
Murdoch, K, (1998) Classroom Connections, Strategies for Integrated
Learning, Eleanor Curtain,.
Jennings, C and Shepherd, J (1998) Literacy and the Key Learning Areas,
Eleanor Curtain.
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