Level Up Your Lessons with Think-Pair-Share: Strategies for Every Grade Level

The education industry is ever evolving and every teacher always strives to acquire new and innovative teaching methodologies. Teachers always seek innovative ways to improve their critical thinking skills, engagement rate in class and also foster a collaborative learning environment in the classroom.

However, there is one of the effective teaching strategies that can improve not only the engagement rate of students but also students willingly participate in the classroom.

If you also want to make the most of the Think-Pair-Share teaching method to improve the learning experience of your students, then we got you covered.

In this blog post, we will be sharing the benefits of using the Think-Pair-Share teaching method and how you can implement it in your classroom successfully.

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What is Think-Pair-Share Strategy?

The think-pair-share teaching method, which also called TPS, is one of the most effective methods available in the industry. It’s a strategy that is a structured three-step activity that promotes critical thinking, engagement rate, and collaboration among students in the classroom.

Let’s get to know the three-step activity in detail:

Step 1:Think

In the first step, teachers must present any question, prompt, or topic related to a particular lesson. Then, the teacher must ask students to take their time before giving their responses. This step generally, allows students to process any given information or topic which is presented by the teacher.

Step 2: Pair

After the thinking step, it’s time to instruct students to form a pair with their peers. Once they are paired up, they can share their thoughts, ideas, and responses related to the given question or prompts. The pair step helps students share their ideas and also listen to their partner’s perspective which leads to a collaborative discussion.

Step 3: Share

In this final step, the teacher will arrange a discussion where students either in pairs or as individuals are invited to share their responses, insights, or conclusions with the entire class. This will help every student to hear different perspectives on the same topic from different students.

Benefits of Implementing Think-Pair-Share Strategy

There are several benefits of implementing the Think-Pair-Share strategy, which creates a positive learning experience for students. Let’s get to know those benefits in detail-

Improved Engagement & Comfort

One of the primary benefits of the think-pair-share strategy is that it creates a comfortable and safe environment for students to share their thoughts, ideas, and responses without any hesitation. When students get the opportunity to discuss their ideas in front of small group or in pairs instead of in front of the whole classroom, then it ultimately increases the engagement and participation rate of students.

Improved Comprehension and Speaking Skills

While students are, in pairs or groups, they get the stage of exchanging or brainstorming thoughts and ideas related to any topic helps them to develop their listening and comprehension skills. Students will get both opportunities to share their thoughts, and ideas and also get to listen to their partner’s contribution. This will ultimately help students to improve their communication skill and listening skills simultaneously.

Create a Collaborative Learning Experience

During the pair stage, every student has the opportunity to pair with their peers, which creates a collaborative learning experience for them. Students get the opportunity to learn from each other because the pairing stage allows each student to share their thoughts and knowledge with their partner, which ultimately helps them to gain a new perspective on the same topic and also helps them to learn new concepts, and vocabulary from their partner.

Make Learning Interesting

The Think-Pair-Share strategy always helps to generate interesting, engaging, and thought-provoking discussions in the classroom. When teachers encourage their students to share their unique thoughts, ideas, or perspectives related to any particular topic and engage in a meaningful discussion leads to improved critical-thinking skills and also students become able to gain a deeper understanding.

Adaptable & Flexible

Think-Pair-Share is one of those teaching strategies that can be molded according to different grade levels and subjects. It gives the teacher the flexibility to choose their own set of questions or customize pre-designed lesson plans according to the learning needs and student's interests or levels.

Effective Strategies To Implement Think-Pair-Share Strategy In Your Classroom

Teachers are required to figure out effective ways to execute and implement the Think-Pair-Share strategy in the classroom. Consider following the below-mentioned steps to implement it successfully-

• Choose Thought-Provoking Questions or Topic

Every teacher must choose the question wisely and make sure it’s aligned with the curriculum and learning objectives. Most importantly, make sure the question or topic improves the critical thinking skills of students and also gives them the opportunity for discussion.

• Explain The Steps

Now consider making them understand the three steps of Think-Pair-Share which are-

- Individually think about the response to the question or topic

- Form a pair with a peer and discuss thoughts, ideas, or response

- Lastly, share the thoughts, ideas, or responses with the whole class

Additionally, make sure to let students know the expectations and provide support for each step.

• Give Time To Think Individually

While you provide students with questions or topics, as the first step of the Think-Pair-Share strategy suggests give them the time to think without any disturbance to come up with their own ideas, thoughts, or responses. You can even suggest them to jot down their ideas to organize their thoughts.

• Make a Pair of Students

The second step of the Think-Pair-Share strategy suggests pairing students with a partner with whom they can have the opportunity to learn something new and different perspectives on the same topic.

• Gives the Opportunity To Discuss

Think-Pair-Share strategy allows students to discuss the topic, thoughts, and ideas with their partner, which enhances the communication and listening skills of every student.

• Structured Time management and Transitions

Make sure that students know how to make the most of their time in the Think-Pair-Share strategy. Every teacher also needs to make sure every student gets the opportunity to listen and speak so that each student can share their thoughts and learn from each other new perspectives.

• Let Them Share

Lastly, you can call certain student from a pair or groups to share their thoughts, and points of view. Every group may have come with different thoughts which helps every student to learn new perspectives in the classroom.

Think-Pair-Share Method Is a Powerful Tool

Using the Think-Pair-Share strategy is one of the most effective and powerful tools in the education industry with which any teacher can improve student’s engagement and participation significantly in the classroom. By incorporating this strategy in your teaching practice will not just improve student’s engagement but their academic progress as well. Utilize the above-mentioned strategies to implement the Think-Pair-Share method in your classroom, which will create a positive impact on student’s learning journey.

To learn more effective strategies to enhance engagement and participation in their learning process, consider pursuing courses like Diploma in Montessori Teacher Training Course, where you will get guidance from top expert trainers who will also help you to become a capable teacher.

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Written By : Ruchi Mehta