Ask Three Before Me

How The Red "MayDay Cup" Helps Students Learn Technology By Kimberly A. Saucier

I found this interesting article on a magazine website called Technology and Learning. The article is by a teacher who teaches high school students and uses computers in her classroom. She has taught the students a rule to ask three other students first if they have a question. Saucier claims that this teaches the students leadership, communication, and self-confidence. She uses red plastic cups to execute this rule. What do the students do with the cups you ask? While working on the computers, if a student has a question he or she puts the red cup on top of the computer monitor. When Saucier sees more than 3 cups she stops teaching and asks the students to help others with questions. If three people come to a problem that they can not solve, she takes time to go over that topic.

I think this idea is great. First I just love putting up the red cups if a student has a question. Also, it is great when students are willing to help their peers and that shows that at least some of them are grasping the content. I have had one of my teachers use the rule ask three before you ask me. It is a great way to get acquainted with your classmates. I am very interested in using Saucier's ideas in my classroom but, will kindergarten students understand? Will the students be able to help their fellow classmates? I guess the only way to find out is to experiment in a classroom. I would like feedback if anyone has opinions or ideas on how this will work in a kindergarten class. All in all, I think this article gave me even more ideas for my classroom. Saucier's has positive comments on how this rule has worked in her classroom. "When students are given more responsibility, they always meet or exceed my expectations. Isn't that why we became teachers in the first place? " I urge others to read this article, it gives a good idea for the classroom and encourages you as a teacher.

http://techlearning.com/story/showArticle.php?articleID=196604337