This week we began weekly shares in our class. Children are welcome to bring in small objects from home to share (I said shares must be able to fit in a backpack) or they can do a telling share, which are my favorite because they require even sharper listening with no accompanying visual. Sharing is a great opportunity for children to pracitce speaking with a loud, clear voice, using details to describe what they are sharing. At the same time it gives other children a chance to practice listening thoughtfully. After each share three children are called on to ask a question or make a comment. We are working on asking thoughtful questions and making specific comments. At this point children can bring a share any day of the week, but only once in a given week. So far children have loved this opportunity.