[Understand] more thinking about understanding

[CNJPALMER at aol.com]

Viviane
This is something I have been wondering about too. I had a coteacher who  
used this wait time to great effect. When a child said "I don't  know..." She 
would say "But if you did know, what would you say?" I would  get SO 
uncomfortable, but regardless, my colleague waited and I never saw  her disappointed.  
I have tried the same thing...and one time, I caved in and then  immediately 
regretted it. The child, a fourth grader, started to well up,  with tears in 
her eyes, with embarrassment. I then provided leading  questions to help her 
answer, but I wonder still if I did her a disservice. The  description of 
Clara...where she said she saw the question behind her eyes...If  I had done this, 
maybe that child would have had more confidence to  answer...
Jennifer
   In a message dated 8/1/2008 6:45:17 P.M. Eastern Daylight  Time, 
redhedcoach at aol.com writes:

I am  amazed by Clara's ability to stay with Jasmine's silence. I understand 
the  importance of wait time- but at what point does it become uncomfortable 
for  the student or for the rest of the class? Ellin indicates that Clara 
cannot  give the subtle message that Jasmine doesn't?have an?answer. How long is a  
long silence?

Viviane







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