TEACHER QUESTIONS OR IDENTIFIED NEEDS
Needs:  I videoed the children having a conversation with theIR learning partners and found that many were off task and uninvolved.  A Strengths/Weaknesses Thinking Chart discussed with the children following viewing the video also showed that many children were disappointed or annoyed with a learning partner who did not listen or contribute.   In my class I have a group of quiet, shy children who are not active participants in learning partner conversations and lack the personal confidence to participate effectively.

Question:  What can I do to build up the confidence of these children so that they can contribute to and benefit from the learning partner conversations?

TASKS AND EXPERIENCES DESIGNED AND TRIALLED

•  Read and trial information on Learning Partners.  "Effective Teaching in Elementary Public Schools" by Karen Hollowell states that "children will learn if they have fun while working." http://www.ehow.com/way 5529755_effective-methods-elementary-public-schools.html
• In order to achieve well, children need to be happy and relaxed.
• I believe that teacher expectation is an important determinant of student achievement. I let the children know that they are expected to contribute and interact more with their learning buddies, rather than sit there passively.
• I taught children to paraphrase, show interested body language and ask questions to draw out the shy children.
• I videoed children with their buddies and let them watch, reflect  and evaluate their own level of interaction. 
• We had constant discussions on what was working/not working and the children asked if they could choose their own learning partners.  I was reluctant to do this as readings suggest that the teacher should choose the partners.  Student voice is valued in my classroom, so I let them choose, after a good discussion on what sort of people we would choose as partners.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT OF MY ACTIONS?

• I FOUND THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO ENCOURAGE SHY CHILDREN TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED WAS TO LET THEM CHOOSE THEIR OWN TALKING PARTNERS.  tHEY PARTICIPATED WITH MUCH MORE CONFIDENCE.  I LEARNED THAT QUIET, SHY CHILDREN WORK BEST WITH CHILDREN THEY FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE WITH INSTEAD OF PAIRING THEM WITH CHILDREN THEY DIDN'T KNOW WELL.