How can we keep all students engaged? How can we assure that we are calling on each student in our classroom rather than the "selected few?" How can we make each child responsible for his own learning? One trick I have found is equity sticks.
Equity sticks can be Popsicle sticks, index cards, bookmarks, etc. On each stick, you write the name of a student in your class. When you ask a question, you simply choose a stick and that student will answer. After turn and talk, choose a stick and let that child answer. This way, you are assuring equity during discussions.
There is also an iPad app that can be used. Stick Pick is an equity stick app, but it has a twist. When setting your class roster, you can choose to include questioning stems for each student based on Bloom's taxonomy or ESL. Therefore, you can differentiate instruction while questioning your students. Cool! Although it is a paid app ($2.99), it is well worth its price.
~Cara
I was in no way compensated for the Stick Pick review. It was simply an app I found that we could all find useful in our classrooms.
