Mr Maher's List: CASE - Student Engagement

Short video of Cold Calling in action in a math class.

One of the most important elements of successful Cold Calling sessions is the routinization of the process, which necessarily requires some preparation. This quick video shows how one teacher introduces her students to cold calling - what would you need to do with your students to ensure it works?

This quick 1 1/2 minute video shows how cold calling can be integrated with the kinetic/physical "stand on the side of the room you agree with" technique. Variety is the catalyst of engagement - and this belongs in the toolbox.

"For those teachers who are using this approach for the first time, I think it is important to model the procedure for students and explain why this approach is being used. Whether the teacher is using this for review or as a warm-up exercise, students need to be familiar with the routine. I think this all goes back to the idea of providing students with clear expectations."

This blog post presents the contrarian view to cold calling. As critical thinkers we have to practice what we preach and consider arguments against the tools we want to use in the classroom to see if they are valid and exactly what issues they raise. If you take the time to read this article,(and you should), make sure you read the comments underneath as well.

Three "talk moves" explained in a short video; 1) repeat, 2) add-ons, 3) revising and a non-verbal signal that means "I agree with that student". These hand signals and gestures help to keep all children engaged in whole class discussion

Description of technique from "Teach Like a Champion"

Description of technique from "Teach like a champion"

This short video demonstrates how using verbs can drive student question creation. This technique is different than cold calling in that is is much slower as the students set the pace in a higher-order thinking exercise

Examples to get you started

Did you know that how you stand next to the door greeting students before class makes a difference in the lesson itself? Did you know that having your palms up invites messages? Less than three minutes in this video can answer those questions for you.

Quick 2 1/2 minute Teaching Channel video in which a body language expert details the many techniques used by a teacher to engage students in the lesson. Watch this first thing in the morning and see how you begin to "enter a student's space" while "inviting them into the thoughts of the group". There are thousands of elements in teaching, and these tiny ones can be important. At the very least, it's important to be aware of how your body language can be a tool.

"Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success."