Create a respectful place for students to share their ideas. Help them to act respectfully to others.

LOCALIZE:  This teaching format is simple. It is meant to be adapted to your learners. Bring your own art, games, songs, and stories. Adjust the lessons to fit the time. Adjust to fit the language of your group -- CLARIFY WHAT YOU MEAN.

TALK ABOUT STUDENT COMMENTS: “Let’s talk more about John’s idea that __________.” This motivates students because they know you are   listening.

ASK FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS: Encourage participation by asking, “What else?” or “Tell me more,” or “why did you say...?”

CALL ON PEOPLE: It is better if students volunteer, but if no one answers, say, “This is an important question. I will give you all time to think, and then I will call on someone.”

WAIT TIME: If you ask a question and no one answers, keep waiting. You could also ask again or rephrase the question.

LISTEN: Tie their comments to the “Big Ideas.”

THANK STUDENTS FOR THEIR COMMENTS: Acknowledge their good ideas. Help them feel good about participating.

GET THEM TO SHARE STORIES: “Have you had an experience like that?”

BE WILLING TO SHARE YOURSELF: The instructor is a listener, but if the instructor never participates, the students might follow.

IF SOMEONE SHARES VERY PERSONAL INFORMATION: Thank them for sharing. Direct students to local support resources if they need help. If the discussion shifts to a topic that is covered later, that is fine. When you get to the topic later, skip the question. Let people talk about what is important to them. Be flexible!

MOVE WITH THE DISCUSSION: No matter what the class discusses, make sure to teach the big ideas at some point in the lesson.

STATE THE BIG IDEAS: Ask, What does this activity teach us about? … “ THE PARTICULAR ARTICLE OF THE UDHR OR CRC THAT YOU ARE TEACHING, SUCH AS RELIGION OR EDUCATION OR HUMAN RIGHTS religion or education or human dignity?” CONNECT GAMES AND ACTIVITIES TO HUMAN RIGHTS.

TEACH VOCABULARY: If students do not know vocabulary words, stop and teach them. Write down the word, if possible. Write down the other words like it. Example: A student did not know the word “DISCRIMINATION.” Thank them for asking a question. Explain that DISCRIMINATION IS …. (SEE THE MANUAL FOR THE DEFINITION) Write the word on the board. Write down DISCRIMINATION. Write related words like “discriminate” and “discriminatory.” Give examples of discrimination.

TEACH LITERACY: Literacy is so important. Each lesson could be used as a literacy lesson. After the lesson, gather the important words your class talked about to describe the code.

• Write those important words on the board or paper. Focus on beginning letters and vowels.
• Contrast the first letter and vowel with other consonant/vowel combinations.
• Think of more words that start with that same letter.
• Literacy includes thinking critically. The topics and discussion are all part of teaching literacy.