Choice Making Elementary

Narrator: Choice making, elementary school example and non-example. Nevaeh often doodles during independent assignments in language arts, a subject she doesn’t enjoy. In response, Mrs. D. decides to use choice making with her. Note how Mrs. D. offers Nevaeh two within-activity choices to complete the alliteration assignment: write a sentence or draw a picture.

Mrs. D.: Today, we are going to talk about a type of language we call alliteration. Raise your hand if you think you know what alliteration is. Alliteration.

I would love for you all to give an example on your papers. And so if you would please write down your own examples. I saw all of you all some hands. Please write down your own example of an alliteration.

Nevaeh, if you would like you can either write it out or you can draw it out. Which one would you like to do?

Nevaeh: Write.

Mrs. D.: Write it out. That is an awesome idea. Thank you so much.

Narrator: To review, Mrs. D correctly implemented choice making. She offered two choices and praised the student immediately after she made a choice. Although Nevaeh initially did not comply with the writing request, when offered the opportunity to control her own learning, she actually chose the same assignment as the rest of the students.

Elementary School Non-Example

Narrator: In this non-example, Mrs. D. does not implement choice making correctly. Pay close attention to how she offers more options than is recommended and then discourages the student’s choice.

Mrs. D.: Today, we are going to talk about a type of language we call alliteration. Raise your hand if you think you know what alliteration is. Alliteration.

I would love for you all to give an example on your papers. And so if you would please write down your own examples. I saw all of you all some hands. Please write down your own example of an alliteration.

Hi, Ms. Nevaeh.

Nevaeh: Hi!

Mrs. D.: You can either write it out. You can draw it out. You can use a computer, or you can talk it out. Which one would you like to do?

Nevaeh: Computer.

Mrs. D.: Hhhmmm. You are just such a great drawer. How about you draw it out?

Nevaeh: Alright.

Mrs. D.: Alright. Thank you.

Narrator: To review, Mrs. D. incorrectly implemented choice making because she offered too many choices, questioned the student’s choice rather than praising the student after making her choice, and basically chose the student’s option for her.