Classrooms ask for lots of discussion. Answering questions in front of 30 other people can be a very daunting thing to do.
The important thing to promote is that mistakes are a part of learning. Embrace them. If you don't there won't be that environment where children feel comfortable to take a risk and speak up in class to answer a question.
I know what I'm talking about. I was one of them... one of them ones that never answered questions. I'd avoid eye contact, pretend I was busy working, busy thinking, whatever the case may be even if I thought I knew the answer I did not want to be picked to answer it.
WHAT IF I WAS WRONG?!?!
God forbid!!! No thanks. Just don't put me in that situation in the first place.
I'm a very shy person, even now as an adult and a teacher. That part of us never goes away. I recognise the children who, like me prefer not to brave it up and speak in front of the class. I can vividly remember those times when I was chosen... the face would burn up with embarrassment... inside I felt physically stressed and anxious. It's not a nice feeling.
I try to encourage those children who prefer not to speak up in class discussion by providing subtle cues during the exploration stage of the lesson. For example I might have some one on one questioning with a student, then during whole class discussion 'discreetly' ask that child for their input. It's nice because that child feels comfortable as they have that knowledge that they know the answer is correct, and it still allows them to have that feeling of success.
This is not my idea, it's what my own teachers did. I just didn't realise what they were doing at the time.
That is the wonder of hindsight. I LOVE HINDSIGHT!!!
We have a new friend in our class to help with this concept, more toward helping children be accepting about making mistakes. I got the idea as a combination from some students in the class who sang a song to a student who was sad (Put a banana in your ear), and from a colleague who told me about Charlie the unicorn... *Hi Amy*. Perhaps it is just my humour but I found it very freakin funny here is a link:
Charlie the unicorn. Hahaha I'm still giggling thinking about that one...
Charlie is a purple unicorn (purple is my favourite colour), and has magical powers.
Did you make a mistake??? Charlie!!! It was Charlie he is trying trick you...
If someone makes a mistake I place Charlie on their desk. Now Charlie is watching extra close he's still going to try and trick you, and anyone else close by.
A little bit childish you think? Yea but that's me. I've discovered that you should at least go with your ideas it's surprising how things can turn out.
I think it's a nice way to brush away mistakes. I will see how it goes.
In the meantime... welcome Charlie.
