If you’ve come to this page, it means we’ve got you thinking, and that’s exactly what great teaching should do.
Strategies like Think–Pair–Share work because they:
- Increase participation
- Improve the quality of responses
- Build confidence and accountability
- Strengthen memory through retrieval practice
- Reduce Teacher Talk
Three Simple Ways to Try Think–Pair–Share
Leadership Hub Subscribers, you can download the Full resources HERE…
Example 1. Silent Think – Structured Pair – Share Back
- Think: Students write down their ideas independently (no talking).
- Pair: Students discuss using a prompt (e.g. “I think this because…”).
- Share: Teacher selects pairs to report back or uses cold calling.
Example 2. Timed Think–Pair–Share
- Think (1 min): Students reflect on a question.
- Pair (2 mins): Discuss and refine answers together.
- Share (1 min): Quick whole-class responses or mini whiteboards.
Example 3. Think—Pair— Switch
- Think: Students prepare a response.
- Pair: Discuss with a partner.
- Switch: Move to a new partner and explain again (refined).
- Share: Final response is stronger after multiple discussions.
Examples of How I Use Think–Pair–Share in the Classroom
- Introducing a topic: What do you already know?
- After reading: What was the main idea?
- Problem-solving: Solve it, then compare your ideas.
- Checking understanding: Think, discuss, then share.
- Before writing: Share your ideas with a partner first.
- Reflection: What have you learned today?
Think–Pair–Share is just one of many practical classroom strategies you’ll explore on our 9-week Advancing Teachers Programme (ATP) for teachers and teaching assistants in international schools.
Starting 19 October, the programme is available at a preferential rate of £400 per participant for COBIS, FOBISIA and Leadership Hub member schools.
We’d love you to join us. Find out more about the programme and watch our information webinar HERE.
Thanks for reading,
Costa Constantinou (BA, PGCE, MA)
Director of Education
