Tuesday, November 20, 2012

No Talking!

Have you read Andrew Clements book No Talking! It tells the story of fifth graders, "The Unshushables", at Laketon Elementary School. They have a contest to see if the boys or the girls can go longer without talking.
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I had a group of students in my second reading class read it as a literature circle or "Lunch Bunch" last month. They enjoyed it so much, and drew so many parallels to our fifth grade, that I had to read it aloud to my homeroom. As soon as I started reading it, the students knew we had to try the contest. They set ground rules yesterday, and agreed to play through lunch tomorrow. Students are allowed to answer a teacher's direct question, read aloud if called on, and talk in three word sentences. "This is hard," was heard around the room. We "pause" the contest for other classes, the bus, home, etc. although the book didn't.

What we noticed, was that our room is "too quiet" at times. They agreed not to sing if I put on Songza's Top 100 (Clean Lyrics). (LOVE that app!)  All students finished the math assignment in class, the first time this year. Students went home and came up with ways to get around the rules. They have written on whiteboards, created three word phrases, used sign language for basic needs (restroom), and have finished each other's sentences. They have also held each other accountable. I let them talk in the cafeteria today for our Thanksgiving lunch. They were thinking up other things to do to show solidarity.

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