Invisible Structures
In my bag there’s always a small fabric ball. As I begin working with a new class, I take it out and casually toss it from hand to hand. Then, as I ask a question, I make eye contact with someone, toss the ball to him or her, and softly clap my hands. It’s obvious to everyone in the room that the person with the ball is meant to say something. Of course I encourage that something and help as needed. Then, I respond to what’s been said and depending on what’s been said, clap my hands softly again and either gesture that I’d like the ball back or that I’d like it passed on to someone else.
When I take the ball back myself it means that I’d like to clarify something or build on what’s been said. If I then set the ball down, walk over to the board and begin to write something, it means we’re going to do a little language work that I want people to take note of and build into their responses. If after tossing the ball back, I move to the back of the room, it means they’re on their own and need to direct their own flow for a while. If I walk to the front of the room and ask for the ball back, it means we’re changing activities. It doesn’t take long for everyone to get into the rhythm of this. The ball, the handclap, the way I move and the rather dramatic way I use my eyes make it seem like some kind of game. It’s not. It’s a playful structure.
Along the way, I model little strategies like saying the name of the person I’m going to toss the ball to with rising intonation; like saying uh huh when someone says Chuck? before tossing me the ball; like saying hmmm, let me think about that a moment before replying. All the while, my movements in class become a pattern everyone understands.
By the second or third class meeting, the ball becomes an unnecessary prop and all I need is the eye contact and the handclap. By the fourth class, the handclap becomes unnecessary and then all that’s needed is the eye contact. By the fifth class, I can let go of my ritualized movement. The structure is still there, though, but it’s now invisible.
My eyes say it all and it’s at this point that I can then step back.
Still, if things ever get out of hand, I can pull the ball out, clap my hands, and use my movements again to remind people of the structure without ever saying a word about it. If things get really out of hand, someone in the room is likely to get the Chuck look which by this time everyone knows means “you’d better get back on task and stop doing what it is you’re doing.” I never need to verbally chastise anyone. My eyes do it, but then of course, the Chuck look is followed by my smile to let everyone know that it’s all really okay and it always is.
While you may feel uncomfortable with the ball, the handclap, the dramatic looks and the ritualized movement that I use, what I recommend is that you find a structure that works for you, build it up and then dismantle it step-by-step until only the memory of it remains. Whether it’s a class of 20 or a class of 100, doing this before you unplug and step back to just let learning happen will help tremendously.
Need I say that? 🙂 Chuck, you’re a magician! 🙂
Your wonderful and ingenious strategy made my virtually speechless. This is the Art of Teaching! 🙂
The technique convinced me once again of the necessity of an invisible yet powerful class routine which everyone in class follows like dancers follow the steps of a dance.
But what makes your strategy unique is that you establish it without words. It’s a common place that we need to reduce teacher talking time as much as possible, but it’s really a piece of art to use no words at all! 🙂
Thank you, Chuck, for sharing this amazing idea! 🙂
Hiya Chuck,
First of all, glad to hear you’re back on the up =)
Second, I came here by way of your Facebook post with the mention of NLP, which is probably something in the air as well just coincidence. I say this sat with Revell and Norman’s book on NLP in ELT on my desk and considering the area for my DELTA experimental practice. Good stuff, as I’ve just begun reading about NLP and how it might be applied in the (language) classroom. This post is really really useful. I may try this out when I have a new group on Monday after our easter holiday.
Big thanks,
Mike =)
I agree with Alexandra, that establishing routine without words is magical. In visualizing this technique, I could envision a couple other scenarios with some of the students in a couple of my classes. Have you ever had adverse results with this?
Thanks for the post, Chuck. I know your students are lucky to have you as their teacher.
After reading your post, I wish I had some large classes to teach. I’ve always tried to challenge myself by teaching a large spectrum of classes and methods. However, large classes are not available to me. Though I don’t have any large classes, I’d love to watch yours in action.
Thanks again,
Mark in Gifu
I can clearly see the Chuck look and the rest of the routine you’re describing, though of course it will not work for me. I like it immensely that what we should have as a consecutive result of this is a teacher stepping back leaving the floor to learning!
I really have to think of the structure of my own, as I admit I hardly ever view my lessons from that perspective..It would be interesting to read if other teachers use any similar strategies! Hope this soon comes in comments below)
Thank you Chuck!