Math Language Routine 8: Think, Ink, Pair, Share

Speaker: “Think-Ink-Pair-Share” puts an extra little twist on the classic “Think Pair Share,” adding a bit more focus for students’ paired conversations. Here’s how you do it:

When you introduce a task, first give students time to think independently about it. Then, have them “ink”–that is, write down some of those initial thoughts about the problem. No need to be overly prescriptive.

Encourage them to consider possible approaches, important noticings, questions they have, or representations that might help them make sense of the problem.

Finally, have students pair and share their initial thoughts. Encourage them to share their inkings and refine them if they get new ideas from their pair and share. Also, remind them that they should balance participation so that they can each share their ideas.

In creating an artifact to anchor their conversations, students are likely to refine their initial thinking so that they can have a richer mathematical discussion with their partner.

Now go ahead and give Think-Ink-Pair-Share a try!