Pair Share

PAIR SHAREFoundation Course Strategy

“The best way to learn is to teach.”Frank Oppenheimer

Introduction to Pair-Share

• “Think, Pair Share” is a structure first developed by Professor Frank Lyman at the University of Maryland in 1981. It has been adopted by many writers in the field of cooperative learning.

• The purpose is to help student to process information, communicate and develop stronger thinking skills.

• Relevant skills result in students’ enhanced ability to listen, ask good questions, summarize others’ ideas and the ability to paraphrase.

http://www.eazhull.org.uk/nlc/think,_pair,_share.htm

Steps for a Successful Pair-Share Activity

1. The instructor poses a problem or asks an open-ended question to which there may be a variety of answers;

2. The instructor gives the students “think time”;

3. Students connect with a learning partner and work together, sharing ideas, discussing, clarifying and challenging; and

4. The pair then share their ideas with another pair, or with a group or entire class. It is important that students need to be able to share their partner's ideas as well as their own.

http://www.eazhull.org.uk/nlc/think,_pair,_share.htm

Getting Started With Pair-Share

• One very important way we learn is also to teach others what we know. In the Foundations Course, we use a strategy called Pair-Share. Throughout this course, each student will have a teaching partner. And in every room, you’ll find that the directions—North, South, East, and West—are shown by signs on the wall. When your instructor says “Pair Share,” he or she will add a direction like “North to South.” The partner on the North side then turns to the partner on the South and teaches what we’ve just learned.

Pair Share Activity

• So let’s give it a try. We’ve just learned the Job Corps Mission statement. To review, say the answer out loud as a group: the mission of Job Corps is to A (pause while group says “attract young people”), E (pause…and continue on through U).

• OK, on your table tent, you’ll see your pair-share partner number, and on the walls you’ll see the signs for the directions, North, South, East, and West. Next you’re going to shake hands with your partner, but before you do, I want you to think about how people shake hands in the world of work. They look directly at the person and shake firmly—not a limp finger touch and not a bone-crusher.

Job Corps Mission Statement

• So, please stand, shake hands with your partner, and introduce yourself as your name and direction, like, “Hi, I’m Ethan West. Hi, I’m Maria East.” [After 10 seconds, resume.]

• Now, I’m going to ask you to teach your partner the mission of Job Corps. I will tell you who is to do the teaching and who is to do the listening by saying the direction. East to West means that the East partner teaches the West partner who is silent but listening closely. West to East means the West partner teaches the East partner who listens silently.

Pair Share Activity

Job Corps Mission Statement, continued.

• Let’s give it a try. Pair Share West to East. [Let students talk for 20 seconds. Circulate to help any partners not engaged.]

• Great. Let’s see how well you did. [Choose one East student.] Juan, tell me what you learned. Everyone, please listen carefully. [Listen to student. Call on another East student.] Carla, did Juan get that right? [Listen to response.] Let’s get a final opinion. [Call on third East student.] OK, it looks like we’ve got it.”  

• CDSS overview: Give a very brief overview of Job Corps’ CDSS system, beginning with the Career Foundation Period and ending with placement and on-going transition services via the Career Transition Period. 5 minutes maximum.

• Today’s schedule: Review the schedule for the rest of the day, noting that students will next meet in the Foundations Course room. Have staff escort; discourage a break at this point.

Pair Share Activity

Job Corps Mission Statement, continued.

Links for Think Pair Share Resources

• http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/interactive/tpshare.htmlScience Education Resource Center at Carleton CollegeOnline lesson with tips for Think Pair Share

• http://www.adlit.org/strategies/23277/All About Adolescent Literacy – WETAAdditional Strategy ideas for Think Pair Share

• http://www.eazhull.org.uk/nlc/think,_pair,_share.htmEducation Action ZoneBransholme & District Area

• http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/Think%20Pair%20Share.pdf

Success for All – Cooperative Learning Exercise

END If you continue to click forward, you will see links to presentations of similar content available through

slideshare.com

Content prepared for the National Office of Job Corps through Contract No. DOLJ111A21695 Job Corps Professional Development Support - KUCRL