Questioning

[carmentiris]

I was wondering if anyone had creative ways to call on students to respond to your questions. I've already used names on popsicle sticks and throwing the ball to students.
Are there any new and exciting ideas?
Thanks for the help.

[BigDaddyTeacher]

Grab a standard deck of playing cards, and write the first names of your students on the pip'd side of the cards. As you lecture, quietly take out the deck and begin shuffling the cards. The motion and the noise will draw their attention towards you, even though they have no idea what you have planned. When you're ready to start asking questions, stop the shuffle, ask the question, flip over the top card, and call the name that appears there.
It's similar to the popsicle stick way, but I find the cards easier to handle. Plus, when you reshuffle after a spirited round, it wakes up the kids who have already answered.

Hey, how's about calling them by their name! That would be such a creative change! Or you could learn each child's name in sign language!

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

Hey, how's about calling them by their name!

But how do you choose the students? That is the question.

I like pinochle decks for classes of 24 or fewer, since the deck contains duplicates of each card. The method isn't that important, as long as the students think it is perfectly random.

Originally Posted by Lisa's Hotscakes

But how do you choose the students? That is the question.

I like pinochle decks for classes of 24 or fewer, since the deck contains duplicates of each card. The method isn't that important, as long as the students think it is perfectly random.

I use popsticks with kid's names on it. spoons work too.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I use popsticks with kid's names on it. spoons work too.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........never realized the importance of all this!

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

Probably the best thing a teacher can do is quit calling on raised hands and start calling on nonvolunteers randomly.

[KatieBee]

As an avid handraiser in school I will say that that is frustrating, you don't want to discourage the handraisers from raising their hand! I like the card idea best of the ones that have been put on here. Definitely pay more attention to kids you're trying to draw out (don't always have to show them whos name was on the card!), but give everyone a fair go!

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

As an avid handraiser in school I will say that that is frustrating, you don't want to discourage the handraisers from raising their hand!

Well, the name you call doesn't actually have to be the one on the Popsicle stick.

With enough time, children will quit raising their hands when they realize you call students at random. This practice will prompt all students to think about answers to the questions, not just the smarter kids.

Now, if you have a really juicy question that you know your smarter kids want to answer, then ask the question and tell them you will pick a random student. Then after sufficiet time, go ahead and call for volunteers. The trick is to make every kid in class think he will be chosen after the question has been asked.

Let me irate: Calling on raised hands is a bad habit for teachers to develop.

In a class discussion, I try not to call on the same person twice. This helps give even the most quiet a chance. Try and ask lots of questions so everyone gets a turn. The kids know who has gone and who hasn't.