Activity
Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share
Activity Overview
Students think individually about a concept, pair with a classmate to discuss, then share their insights with the class.
Grade Levels
Subject Areas
Activity Types
Detailed Example
Photosynthesis (Science - 5th Grade)
Materials Needed
- Sticky notes
- Whiteboard or chart paper
- Timer
Preparation
Prepare a focus question about photosynthesis, such as 'How do plants make their own food?'
Step-by-Step Instructions
THINK (2-3 minutes): Display the question 'How do plants make their own food?' Ask students to write their individual thoughts on a sticky note. Remind them to consider what they already know about plants, sunlight, and energy.
PAIR (3-4 minutes): Have students turn to an elbow partner and share their thoughts. Partners should discuss similarities and differences in their ideas and create a combined response.
SHARE (5-7 minutes): Call on pairs to share their ideas with the whole class. Record main points on the whiteboard, creating a class concept map of photosynthesis.
Follow-up: Introduce the formal definition and process of photosynthesis, connecting to student ideas and clarifying misconceptions.
Differentiation Strategies
For struggling students, provide sentence starters. For advanced students, ask them to include the chemical equation for photosynthesis.
Assessment Guidelines
Listen for understanding during sharing. Note misconceptions to address in follow-up instruction.