Curriculum

Creating More ‘Opportunities to Respond’ for Every Learner

At Skye Primary, we are always looking for ways to ensure every student is actively engaged and learning during each lesson. One evidence-based approach we’ve been focusing on this term is increasing “Opportunities to Respond” (OTRs).

What are Opportunities to Respond?

In simple terms, OTRs are the number of chances students have to actively participate during learning — whether by answering a question, reading aloud, discussing ideas, or showing their thinking in another way. The more opportunities students have to respond, the more they stay engaged, learn from one another, and build confidence in their understanding.

Research shows that classrooms with a high rate of OTRs lead to:

• Greater on-task behaviour
• Improved academic achievement
• Stronger oral language and reasoning skills
• Increased motivation and participation

Rather than having just one or two students answer while others listen, OTRs ensure every child is involved, thinking, and contributing.

How we’re using OTRs at Skye:

This term, our teachers have been embedding two key strategies that increase opportunities for all students to respond — AB Pair Share routines and Choral Reading.

• AB Pair Share Routines: 

  In this simple but powerful structure, students work with a partner (A and B). One student speaks while the other listens, then they swap. This means every child has a chance to think, talk, and share their ideas rather than just a few hands going up. Pair sharing builds confidence, improves oral language, and helps students process their learning deeply through discussion.

• Choral Reading:

  Choral reading involves students reading a text aloud together with their teacher. This approach increases fluency, supports accurate word reading, and builds a sense of community and rhythm in the classroom. Students who might feel hesitant to read aloud independently gain confidence as their voice blends with others.

   

By embedding these practices, our classrooms are buzzing with talk, collaboration, and shared learning. Every student has multiple, structured opportunities to engage, think aloud, and respond — helping ensure that all learners are seen, heard, and supported in their growth.

Mr Snow