W.A.I.T. Why Am I Talking?

W.A.I.T. brings attention to why and when someone is talking, allowing them to reflect on their thoughts and words paying close attention to how and what they contribute to conversations and discussions. It allows them to be more reflective before they speak and more intentional with their words.

How to use this tool in the classroom:

•Review the W.A.I.T. flowchart with your class. Post it somewhere visible that you and your students can refer to before having a discussion or doing a group activity (whole group or small group).

•W.A.I.T. Reflection Form – For repeat blurters, have them reflect and fill out the blurt alert form. Sometimes we need to give those students a little nudge to reflect on why they are talking and remind them to next time contribute with purpose.

•Blurt Alert Points – I use my class Beat The Teacher class hive and give my class points if they don’t blurt out. If they do then I get a point. Try saying something like:

“I noticed that our class discussion went really well. You all spoke when it was your turn, respectfully contributing with responses that were on topic. You get a point in our class hive.”

OR

“That class discussion could have gone better. We had many students talking out of turn and calling out responses that were not helpful or necessary in moving our discussion along. That wasted instructional time and stopped other students from contributing. I get a point.”

After having your students reflect more about why they are talking, they will begin to notice more about what they say and if it is necessary, kind, & helpful. You’ll notice that your class discussions and activities both big and small go much more smoothly and you’ll save a lot of instructional time. You may see more peer respect in time.

Includes:

•All posters & pieces for a full size flowchart (8.5 x 11) in color and black & white

•All posters & pieces for a smaller flowchart (half sheets) in color and black & white

•Posters with clip art for elementary classrooms and without clip art for middle

and high school

•Reflection form

Let’s be intentional about getting students to talk with purpose.

This is a digital download (PDF).

Enjoy from my classroom to yours!