I use a set of active student participation cards. I use a set of blank flash cards and write each students name on the cards for each class I teach. When we are covering material or questions I can pull out the cards and randomly choose students to respond. I continually shuffle them making it possible for ANY student at ANY time to be picked to respond not just after I have gone through the whole deck. They know that seven shuffles completely randomize a deck and have seen it happen where a student can be picked several times in a row. It works to keep them focused and on task and no one feels ”picked on” it’s just their turn. The flash cards come in several colors so I can use a different color for each class to keep them organized and easy to use.

I love this idea- I am a new teacher and welcome these hints on how to broaden participation in the classroom.