Running Head: LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN D

Literature Review Domain D

Katy DePauw
TED 690 Capstone
August 2016
Prof Shepherd

LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN D

Abstract
This paper will be critiquing the article Increasing Student Interaction with Think-Pair-Shares
and Circle Chats by Kristina Robertson. The purpose of this paper is to compare how the
information and views in this specific article relates to the California Teacher Performance
Expectations by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. More specifically, the author of this
paper will be comparing TPEs under Domain D: Planning Instruction & Designing Learning
Experiences for Students. The author will also be explaining how she can use this content in her
own classroom.

LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN D

Introduction
Teacher candidates are expected to master certain teaching expectations known as the California
Teaching Performance Expectations. It is in this document that the author explains that including
activities such as think-pair-share and circle chats in daily curriculum will only enhance learning
for all students in the class. The scholarly article backs up the authors opinion with facts that
show the importance for educators to differentiate instruction and designing curriculum for all
students in the class.

Response
In the article Increase Student Interaction with Think-Pair-Share and Circle Chats, it provides
the readers with reasons why both strategies work in the classroom. In this review the author
will be responding to ELLs and the strategies listed. The article also focuses on positive
outcomes such as reaching all students, which include ELL and the reserved students. What this
article is getting at is that teachers need to be doing less traditional lessons and focusing more on
hands-on, interactive ad engaging lessons in order for their students to succeed.
These two strategies are well known to educators, but will be elaborated in this response. The
first strategy, Think-pair-share is a wonderful and effective way to get all your students engaged
in the lesson. As mentioned in the text, students are given think time to reflect on a question
silently, so they have more time to process the question (www.colorincolorado.com). In this
case of ELL students, they are given time to process the question, but are also able to think about

LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN D

the language and vocabulary in the question being asked. This is very important, and many
teachers do not use this strategy as much as they should in their classrooms.
The other strategy, Circle Chats is another effective way to involve all students in discussing
what is being taught. This scholarly article explains that the teacher forms two circles, one circle
and then another around the existing one. The student who is right in front of the other (in the
other circle) is their partner and they discuss the question the teacher has asked. Once time is
complete, the student in the outer circle moves to the left one spot, and the teacher asks another
question. This type of activity is an important aspect of a lesson and allows all students
(including ELL and reserved students) to engage in meaningful discussions with their classmates.
The key to this activity is even though the conversation may be short, students will get multiple
opportunities to get new thoughts by interacting with multiple classmates.
Teachers should include both these strategies in their curriculum. They both benefit all students
in the class, and allow the students to have fun as well. They allow students to become even
more engaged in the material being presented to them through interacting with their peers. The
purpose of this review was to point out the importance of differentiated instruction and the
benefits it provides to all students.

LITERATURE REVIEW DOMAIN D

References
Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (2013). California Teaching Performance Expectations.
Sacramento, CA: Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Robertson, K. (n.d.). Increase Student Interaction with "Think-Pair-Shares" and "Circle Chats"
Retrieved August 17, 2016, from http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/increase-studentinteraction-think-pair-shares-and-circle-chats