No place to hide

From FreeReading

A key concept in FreeReading pedagogy is: No place to hide. Some early literacy activities can reinforce bad habits in struggling students. For instance, a student who is embarrassed at not being able to sound out a word that his peers can sound out may seek a way to hide his lack of this skill: he may simply repeat what other students are saying. Good teachers look for these students and give them individual turns accompanied by appropriate support (such as modeling first, or giving the student an easier example to begin with). Inexperienced teachers may be reluctant to do this for fear of "putting the student on the spot."

FreeReading core activities have been designed not to allow students a place to hide. They do this by:

• Having students respond at the same time, so it is easier to find students who are repeating what others say
• Watching for non-responding or slow-responding students
• Providing plenty of examples so that students (particularly at-risk students) can get solo practice, supported by the teacher
• Providing explicit strategies for helping students who give an incorrect response.