I usually make my very quit students a team leader in a fun game that we play. I make part of their responsibility to be the team spokesman when giving answers, ect.. I have foud that this does a great job in getting these students out of their shell.
I totaly agree with this method. My students feel like something is wrong if I dont come in and speak.
Hi Rebecca,
I never enter my classroom without greeting my students. As a sign of respect I always greet my students in a cheerful manner. Students are more comfortable with you when you take the time to greet them. The small things help with retention as well.
Patricia Scales
I make it a habit of speaking to each student as the enter and exit the class, this encourages them to feel more comfortable and open up a bit after a few days. Small study groups give students a chance to speak amoung themselves and learn a bit about each other with out being put on the spot to answer questions when called on in a classroom setting.
Hi Daniel,
When silent students know that they are dependent upon in a smaller setting normally they will be more vocal.
Patricia Scales
I had a few starting school so when I wanted feed back or needed them to review the work. we did ice breakers for each part of the lesson. The ice breakers would be set up in pairs or teams. This helped all students to get to know each other. I also feel that any answer or question is wrong and need to be looked at and analyzed. To be a cosmetologist you must be able to communicate with a client to service them.
I spend time getting to know the student outside of class, in hopes they will be more comfortable espressing themselves to me. I provide postivie reinforcement when they do speak up.
Utilizing the small group method is an excellent way for the silent student to become more actively involved in the class. The group will cause the student to have to respond in order to complete the assignment.
we interact a lot in my class, and I do have a student that has always been reluctant to say too much. therefore, we do a lot of presenting and group workstations. I have found this to be most successful and keeps us all engaged and motivated. we also, do creative projects that involve individual creativity, such as choosing colors and structure and I try to keep it very personal and individualized.
Hi Debra,
A great combination is to have fun while learning. Students tend to come out of their shell when games are played.
Patricia Scales
I also have game type learning and student involvement is greatly enhanced. I find it creates a fun learning environment and shy students seem less intimidated to speak.
Hi Peter,
You do a great job with getting to know your students and providing help for them. Your students should really appreciate the great lengths you go to for them.
Patricia Scales
I believe it is necessary to realize that silent students can still be participating in the class; they just don't show it as much as other, more extroverted, students do.
I have found that frequent tests are an effective way to identify at-risk quiet students. As long as a student is performing well on these tests, I leave them alone. Having been a quiet student myself, I can appreciate their antipathy toward requirements such as class participation grades, class presentations, etc. As long as I am getting confirmation that a student is mastering the material, that student doesn't even have to say hello to me. (They always do, of course.)
When quiet students' grades are poor, then I have found one-on-one meetings to be successful. I never limit this to one meeting. Instead, I try to find a regular time when these students are free and I can go over the material with them in a more relaxed and less threatening manner. Almost without exception I have found that quiet, noninvolved students lack some foundational knowledge, which would likely embarrass them to ask about in class. I encourage these students to make full use of my office hours.
Peter McAllister
I couldn't agree more. Getting to know all your students and their different needs helps the student be more comfortable in class. If the students feel comfortable and involved. they tend to be involved more without to much asking of them.
Hi Rodney,
Great practice to have in place. Trying to establish a relationship with all students can be extremely helpful.
Patricia Scales
I find that our small class sizes really help with getting quiet students involved and interacting. Quiet students always make me nervous because I wonder if they are being quiet because they are shy, unhappy, or just not understanding. So I try to personally engage with every student everyday to gather where they are and get them involved and actively participating.
Hi Samuel,
Having a rapport with students is really beneficial. Students will work hard as to not to disappoint you when they have a relationship with you.
Patricia Scales
I think developing a good rapport is important so that when you do call on that student they do see you as trying to embarrass them. I also try to help them along asking leading questions toward the answers. Then I reinforce the positive aspects of their answers.
Hi Tamra,
Yes, small group especially really bring out a shy student. Shy students are more likely to open up in a small group.
Patricia Scales
I would place the student in a small group with students that are positive and supportive.
Some students "shy" need to report or respond to a small audience or given the opportunity to share his/her learning in private
