Noteblog 2-- Due 1/27

In my classroom, for the most part, the classroom discussion has been in the I-R-E (Initiate- Response- Evaluate) participatory structure.  I have only seen three language arts lesson thus far because it is so early in the semester.  The CT will pose a question and a students will respond.  The student's responses typically answer the question directly but do not explore the answer any further.  Occasionally a student will comment on another students ideas but that typically does not happen.  

To help the students pose their own questions and facilitate their own discussion the teacher needs to begin by asking fewer questions.  Instead of asking all of the questions, the teacher should occasionally pose good model questions for her students to learn from.  Also, the teacher needs to encourage the students.  If encouragement does not take place then the students might feel nervous to share their opinions with the class.  At the end of a discussion the teacher should give a "re-cap."  The teacher should sum up the discussion and ask for any final thoughts or comments.

There is one student in particular in the classroom that does not participate in any form of classroom instruction.  I do not think his lack of participation comes from being nervous or unsure, I think his lack of participation is intrinsic.  The student is not motivated therefore needs extra attention from the teacher or classmates.  Hopefully throughout the semester I can try my best to motivate the student to participate more in class discussion.