Best for: Discussions where students exchange ideas but don't necessarily engage with or build from one another's thinking.
Think
Students develop an initial response independently.
Pair
Partners share their thinking and listen for similarities, differences, questions, or new perspectives.
Build
Together, create a response that incorporates something from both people's thinking.
Pairs can then contribute their combined response to the larger group.
The challenge: Don't simply choose the “better” response. Build something that reflects both perspectives.
Reflect:
What happened when students were expected to use another person's thinking rather than simply take turns sharing?