...engagement. That is what I am being asked for in regard to asking students questions.

I am very aware who is engaged and absorbing information, formulating a plan, or completely out in la-la land. If the person who is out in la-la land is is not being distracting...is just well, physically present, but mentally elsewhere, does he/she need to be asked a question and startled out of their stupor (a regular ed kid, not an ADD or other)? Does a shy student who I can see in their eyes or on his or her paper have to answer? If I ask a student to share out, and that student respectfully requests not to go up in front of the class, is okay if I let them pass?

I am not being rhetorical, I really am asking your opinion. And if you feel as though everyone should publicly participate, how do you achieve that without popsicle sticks? I couldn't keep track of who is in and who is out...really if you must go through 35 students before a student can answer again, what prevents that really verbal kid from causing trouble? (The student who is an A+ student who never wants to say a word in front of the class, will ALWAYS raise her hand and correct a number in the problem, the date, or the assignment number. I LOVE THAT!)

Anyone, anyone? Please let me know your thoughts.

On another note, here is an anticipatory lesson I used for Zero Product Property that I thought went really well:

(coming soon)