One of the best ways to increase classroom engagement is building opportunities throughout the lesson for students to talk with each other. The structure for doing this is Numbered Heads. Students talk with a partner to summarize content, demonstrate skills, debate issues and respond to questions. Both students are actively engaged since it is very difficult for an individual to get lost in a pair.

Explaining information to each other both deepens understanding and promotes retention. In addition, the peer support provided through Numbered Heads helps students feel more confident in their ideas and responses and thus more willing to actively participate in classroom activities.