Student Strategies: More asking for help

I am always looking for strategies to use in classrooms that allow students to not get caught up on one question.

I often use a thumbs up if you get it, thumbs down if you don't and a 'so-so' hand if you are in between. If there are a lot of thumbs down I can explain again, in a different way, a small handful of thumbs down, I may bring the small group to the carpet, or my desk, or a work table to re-teach in a different way.

Another strategy I have used is pairing up the thumbs up with a thumbs down students to peer help. Often hearing it in a different way, seeing it done or trying it themself is enough to get them going. Nut not always. In cases where students are 'stuck' on a problem, they often stop... wait for teacher intervention/help.

In large classes, it is sometimes a challenge to get to everyone quickly, so I encourage them to skip the question and move on until I get to them.

This blog had a neat idea for students to ask for help during work time.This idea, can be added to that so that students have visually indicated where they are at and so that I can help students in need.

Write this on the board so everyone is clear on how it works.

The only supplies needed are some colored construction paper! This is a great way to gauge student’s progress during independent work. Students use cards to indicate whether they are good to go (green), struggling a bit (yellow) or stuck (red).

Student fold a piece of coloured paper on desk like this and put whichever colour on top to indicate i they need help.

This allows me to intervene early for students on yellow, and reteach on the spot for students on red. Additionally, if I see a whole lot of red cards at the start of the independent practice, then I can reteach to the whole class.

This idea reminds me of the 'red cup / green cup' strategy to ask for help that I blogged about last year.

What other ideas have you seen or tried?

Student Strategies: Asking for help

I saw this neat idea I wanted to share.

It's a flap, triangle desktop sign.

So a piece of paper is folded in THREE sections and then the ends taped together to make a triangle.

One side says: Make not of question and keep working.
Next side says: I'm Fine
Last side says: Please Help.

The idea is when the "Please Help" is facing up, so the teacher can see it, the "Make a note of your question and keep working" is facing the student.

This is a way for teacher's to visually see who needs help and not hold students up waiting for a teacher to get to them, which can take time in a large class.

Another strategy for similar situations, is to take a red cup and a creen cup and tape them together. (Or use them to stack inside of each other) The student can flip the red or green up if they need help or are working fine.

I like the idea of visual cues, because it allows students to continue working instead of having to hold up their hand and distract or stop them from continuing on.

Another method I saw in a friends class was a "Take a Number" bin. This way she could call numbers up and students could be helped individually, but not be standing at her desk waiting for their turn.

One of the great things about TOCing is learning new strategies from all the different classes I am in and teachers I meet. Also, getting to try new things with the classes I am in and students I teach.

What other strategies or ideas do you use in yoru classroom for students to ask for help?