I think this prompt is asking how I make sure that I am being a good listener when students are talking. A few things I like to do are rephrasing the student's answer, whether in a private conversation or in a whole group discussion I think this helps clarify that I am hearing and understanding what the child is trying to communicate. If I'm not quite sure what the student is trying to say, I am very honest with them and ask if they can try saying it again in a different way because I don't quite understand. Sometimes this is frustrating to the students and they feel like I'm not listening, but ultimately I think it is best to respond to their actual message and they deserve to get their ideas out the way they intended.
I get the sense sometimes that you think the prompts in our Handbook could be re-written for clarity :-) It's helpful when you explain up front how you're interpreting a reflective prompt before you answer. In the case of yesterday's question--listening techniques--it's interesting to see that Nicole wrote about strategies she uses to stay engaged with kids when they talk, but Julie focused on techniques she uses to develop her first graders' listening skills.
ReplyDeleteYou may remember that I've complimented you on your natural conversational style with kids--the way you re-phrase their comments, ask for more information, extend an idea--"Here's what you're making me think about with that comment", or "What makes you think that?"--are all signs of an accomplished teacher who is genuinely invested in her students.