Pair / Share - A Daily Language Activity

20 September 2014
Let's face it - we already try to squeeze so much into our daily classes that the prospect of adding one more thing can cause one to break out in a panic attack.  But, when I made the time to incorporate a daily Pair/Share activity into my language block, it quickly became one of the most important activities of the day.  And it's a hit with the students, too.

My daily pair/share only takes 10 minutes each day ... but the skills that are practiced during that time are incredibly valuable.

My students read independently for 15 to 20 minutes daily.  Before they begin, I post a general question or two (related to the comprehension strategies) for them to think about while they are reading.

When our independent reading time is over, the students know it is time to "partner up" for a pair share.  Most of the time my students are really good at including everyone and making sure everyone quickly gets a partner, but if I notice some are having difficulty with this part, I will intervene and assign partners.  My students will often gravitate towards the same partners for various reasons - promixity, friendship, interest in their partner's book, so if they wish, I let them keep the same partners for at least a week before I ask them to switch it up.  They can meet with their partners anywhere they feel comfortable in the classroom.

Once they have their partner they have three jobs (the PAIR part):
  1. Summarize what they read during their independent reading time.
  2. Read a page aloud to their partner.
  3. Answer the posted comprehension question.
Both partners have to complete all three jobs.  At the end of the time, usually about 7 minutes, I assemble our full group again and ask for 3 or 4 volunteers to share (the SHARE part).  When they share they:
  1. Summarize what their PARTNER read to them that day.
  2. Explain how their PARTNER answered the comprehension question.
I use the share as a quick formative assessment - putting down a level from 1-4 for Oral Communication (speaking and listening skills).  This way I get a mark for 3 or 4 students each day.  If I notice a student hasn't volunteered to share in a while, and I'm needing some marks from them, I give them a quick heads-up before they partner up to let them know I may be asking them to share today.  That way they have time to prepare for it.

And that's that.  In just 10 minutes students are introduced to new books, and are practising their social skills, oral fluency skills, summarizing skills, comprehension strategies, listening skills, and oral speaking skills ... and I get a get a quick insight into how well they understand summarizing and the comprehension strategies we are studying, and get a quick and easy assessment without having to take home any marking.  :)  That's what I call a WIN!

An added bonus:  you can use this activity across all subjects.  I frequently do pair/shares after independent writing activities, problem-solving in math (where they explain how they solved the problem to their partners) and after science or social studies readings.

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16 comments

  1. Thanks for the great ideas! These conversations are so valuable for BOTH partners!

    Sally from Elementary Matters

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  2. I love how this simple and minimal prep activity provides such a comprehensive range of skills and practice! thanks!

    ​MissVerickersAdventures​

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    1. Thanks! It really is simple and no prep ... and the assessment is just as easy.

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  3. Question: This is all done orally without any writing?

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    1. Yes Kelly - it's all oral. I've noticed some students taking jot notes during their discussions to help them with the summary, but 95% of the class keep it strictly oral - just a discussion.

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  4. Great idea! Would you please share a few examples of open-ended comprehension questions? I am trying to get an idea as to form these might take. Thanks!

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    1. Hi,
      I almost always use questions from my question fan resources. You can take a peek at them here: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rundes-Room/Category/Question-Fans

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  5. I love this idea! I'm going to try it out tomorrow. My students have 30 min of independent reading time daily. I think I'm going to cut it down to 20 minutes and leave the last 10 minutes for this activity. Thank you for sharing!
    Chelsea
    Fifth Grade Wit and
    Whimsy

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  6. Can you tell more about how you mark students on a 1-4 scale? What criteria do you use?

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  7. This is a great idea! I'm definitely using this in my classroom!
    Thanks!

    Confessions of a Modern Day [ex] Substitute Teacher

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  8. Brilliant -Idea have done twice with my class this week worked brilliantly !

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  9. Could you please share the rubric or assessment you use for this activity? I believe I am overthinking the best way to assess this, but I truly love this idea. Thanks!

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  10. This is great! Can you give some examples of your general comprehension questions?

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    1. I just saw your reply the same question above. I'll check out your resource on TPT. BTW, I've been using your writing units for 3 years now (I live in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and teach at an Ontario Curriculum school). The 3rd and 4th grade teams use them. I'm not sure if you even sell them anymore (fictional narrative, persuasive, informative...). I tried to direct teachers to buy them but couldn't find them. Anyway, thanks for all of the wonderful resources!

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