Every teacher needs to have ideas and tools to help them to reach each child at their learning level and with their learning style. One tool I use is incorporating partners into lessons, practice, and activities. Having students work with partners can increase their understanding of an activity as they work with others who may understand it more or work with someone who may test and question their knowledge.

I was constantly having to watch who I paired with who to make sure the learning experience is a positive one. In the future I plan to take just as much time as I do with showing respect to speakers as on how to work as a partner. The modeling, practice, and review will hopefully allow the students to get more out of partner work.  Partners wer used mostly for multiple person activities and are not always positive experiences. I have seen the benefits of partners in my classroom as they explain in their own way and connect activities in a way that I do not for their partner. These are the moments that have shown me I need to continue to do partner work.