Do we, as teachers, give enough chances for students to talk?

Having a group appreciation at the end of the lesson is a great thing to end and conclude the class. It gives a chance for the student-artists to show and explain their work to their peers as well as to let the other students to learn how to appreciate other people’s work.

Please look at the video clip below and listen carefully.

Teacher: It looks like a ___ mask. Do you want to explain it to us, Casey? It’s an Indian?

Casey nods.

Teacher: ... Are the feathers because of Indian?

Casey nods.

Teacher: Why did you choose purple and white? You think they are the girly ones?

Casey: For Penn State.

Teacher: For Penn State! It’s a good idea. I like it. Good job.

Do you think Casey had enough chances to express herself? Do you think if the teacher asked more “open ended” questions, such as “where does your mask come from?” “What do the colors of the feathers stand for?”, the student would have talked more? Do you have any other suggestions? Try to think of how to get the other students involve in this appreciation. For example, “What do you see on Casey’s mask?” “Which country do you think Casey’s mask comes from?”