I am not sure how I would respond to these different student behaviors, because I do not know the students as well as the teacher. The teacher told me that he tries to keep the classroom environment relaxed, so that students will feel comfortable when having to give a speech in front of other students. During this short down time other students in class are visiting with one another. During the discussion, a girl turns around to tell a boy to quit pulling her hair, then she hit him on the head with a pen. CM Teacher looks at the girl and motions for her to be quiet.
Students seem to have solved their own problem.
Students will be taking a literary poem or song lyrics and read part of selection along with a discussing its meaning to the class. Teacher asks if there are any questions. Several students ask questions and teacher answers them. There are many resources within the classroom for students to find information for their speeches. Most of the students begins looking through the different rescues, but there are several who are just talking and visiting with each other.