Think-Pair-Share
Overview
Students develop their skills by listening to and speaking with others in informal ways. When learners think about a question then discuss their thoughts with a partner before sharing with the larger group, everyone participates and practices their skills.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
In this Reading Rockets video, watch a second grade teacher review think-pair-share with her class and apply it to a read-aloud. We can see how, by having individual think time, students are more equipped to process and answer questions meaningfully. They are also held accountable for maintaining their Attention with a peer, which contributes to a more fruitful discussion.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Watch how Class Dojo builds in think-pair-share into its classroom communication platform. From 16:58, see how it enables teachers to create prompts for students to discuss with their partners.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
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When students have meaningful conversations about math and use math vocabulary, they develop the thinking, questioning, and explanation skills needed to master mathematical concepts.
Students deepen their understanding and gain confidence in their learning when they explain to and receive feedback from others.
Respectful redirection, or error correction, outlines a clear and concise way that educators can provide feedback on behaviors that need immediate correction, in a positive manner.
