A few years ago, I started reflecting at the end of the school day where my attention had been on that particular day. I realized that some kids got more than their fair share of my time- as I corrected behaviors, re-taught, and signed passes. Some students got more appropriate attention- the outgoing kids who were fun to talk to, who volunteered answers, who asked thought-provoking questions. But in every class, there was a ghost student. You know the one- he or she does the work, doesn't bother anybody, doesn't ask questions. At the end of the year, you wonder how it is that you went a full year and don't really know this kid. There were also several students who weren't quiet and shy, they just didn't want to engage with the teacher or the class. Talking in front of other kids is risky; pre-teens don't want to be wrong in front of their friends. Some don't want to chance being rejected, for example, by raising a hand, but not getting picked. In some classes, there were days when I didn't personally interact with half the class! It bothered me.
I made it my mission to make contact with every student in my class, every day. With class sizes of 24 kids, give or take, you would think this would be easy. And it is easy, but it is also extremely easy to overlook those quiet kids. You, the teacher, have to realize those ghost kids are there and make the effort to engage them. You have to somehow keep track of who you engage with. I have come up with a few strategies that work for my class (6th grade science!)
1. Use name sticks!
