Dealing With Challenging Teaching Situations Workshop Handout
Case 1: Think Pair Share
An instructional tactic where students are asked to think for a moment first, then pair up to
compare their experiences / thoughts, then share them with a larger group.
THINK
Students are to think by themselves for at least 10 seconds about the question.
What background information do students need to be able to think effectively about the
question?
How can you frame the question to indicate the level of thinking you expect?
PAIR
Discuss their thoughts with a partner or small group.
How directed do you wish this to be? General discussion or “listen – repeat –record” or
something in between?
SHARE
Share the findings with the class.
Who will report to the class? Random so all are equally accountable, or a more directed
process?
1. Case 2: Placemat
Place Mat is a form of collaborative learning that combines writing and dialogue to
ensure accountability and participation of all students. It involves groups of students
working both alone and together around a single piece of paper to simultaneously
involve all members.
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Chart paper is divided up into pieces based on the number of member in the
group with a central square or circle.
Students work alone first.
Students share information with their group. Results are recorded in the center of
the page.
Results are then shared with the class.
Placemat Examples:
2. Case 3: PMI- Positive Minus Interesting
PMI assists in making wise decisions, critical thinking (analysis) and evaluation.
It invites exploration of an issue from the point of view of what will or won’t work.
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‘Positive’ refers to reasons why something is a good idea or decision
‘Minus’ refers to why something won’t work or is unwise
‘Interesting’ usually refers to the position or action one takes having balanced out
the Positives and Minuses
Generate / Brainstorm information around a topic / issue
Use a PMI organizer to complete the paper process
3. Case 4: Value Line
A simpler version of Four Corners; uses a continuum between opposites to place a
student’s thoughts / emotions.
Value line can be used in combination with other tactics and strategies. Eg. At the
beginning and end of a lesson to see how students positions have shifted, in
combination with Think, Pair ,Share to examine why students have chosen their
particular spot on a continuum, Academic Controversy, Mental Set creation at the
beginning of a lesson or a form of Closure
Examples:
Opposite ends can consist of:
Agree --------------Disagree
Is an example of ------------------Isn’t an example of
Should -------------Shouldn’t
4. Case 4: Numbered Heads
Numbered heads is one of simplest and useful of group tactics. It simply means to have
groups number off (1,2,3…) or letters (A, B, C…).
Numbered Heads can increase student accountability without increasing stress when
used in combination with other tactics: Think, Pair, Share, Place Mat, PMI, etc.
Numbered Head can also assists in initiating a transition or handing out, collecting
materials
5. Case 6: Walk About
Walk about is an extension strategy in which a student in a group joins another group to
provide cross pollination of ideas.
Walk About links more complex processes in collaborative learning and builds individual
accountability, physical movement, and variety into the learning process.
References:
Beyond Monet: The Artful Science of Instructional Integration
By: Barrie Bennett and Carol Rolheiser