Wait Time Supports Constructive Thought: Give Me a Wiggle
14 Nov 2012
Kelishs's picture
Source: Kelishs
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Summary Description:
Teaching Strategy: Do you recall a time when you are in the midst of a discussion or lesson and you call on a student to share or respond to an question and you have provided the three to five second uninterrupted silence and yet the student states or answers, "I forgot or I don't know"? Here is a strategy that ensures students receive enough time to complete or gather their thoughts. It is called, "Give me a wiggle when you are ready."
Resources:

People need time to process cognitive tasks, especially elementary students. Wait time is a instructional strategy coined by Mary Budd Rowe in 1972. The purpose is to provide three to five second (preferably longer) wait time so students can gather their thoughts before they answer. However, there are times when you provided more than five seconds and the student has yet to respond.

During group discussions or explicit lessons after 10 seconds I tell the student to wiggle his or her ear when he or she is ready to share. Nine times out of ten the student wiggles his ear and shares his thoughts. Since I began implementing this strategy I noted a greater percentage of students participate more in-group discussions. I attribute this strategy provides time for the student to respond, formulate an answer, think about the discussion and decide if he wants to add to the conversation, or complete a cognitive task to consolidate his thinking.

The discussion, instruction, or conversation continues which keeps the focus on the topic while "the wiggle" offers time for the student. When the student wiggles his ear I state that I see the student's wiggle and he responds. Everyone's voice is heard and all students' thoughts and contributions are valid.

Components of Differentiation
Credits:
Sandra Kelish authored this instructional strategy. However, research supports the importance of "wait time" for all students.
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