Learning & Teaching

Cold-Calling: A Powerful Strategy for Student Participation at Holy Cross.

At Holy Cross, we are committed to using evidence-based teaching practices that support every student to succeed. One highly effective strategy used in our classrooms is cold-calling - a simple yet powerful way to increase student participation and check for understanding across the room.

What is Cold-Calling? Cold-calling is when a teacher asks a question and then selects a student to answer after posing the question - rather than waiting for hands to go up. This approach keeps all students engaged because anyone might be asked to contribute, not just the ones who usually raise their hands.

Why Do We Use It? This strategy helps us create more inclusive classrooms where every child’s voice matters. It allows teachers to get a true sense of how well the class is understanding the material, and not just rely on feedback from a few confident students. Cold-calling helps teachers to adjust their lessons in real time, reteach concepts when needed, and ensure all students are involved in the learning process.

What Does It Look Like in Our Classrooms? When cold-calling is used at Holy Cross, it’s done in a respectful and supportive way. Students know it’s part of our routine, and that mistakes are part of learning. They’re encouraged to take risks, explain their thinking, and build confidence in speaking up.

Cold-calling isn’t about putting students on the spot - it’s about giving every child the opportunity to be part of the conversation. We want all students to feel seen, heard, and supported.

Cold-calling is a strategy that our educators at Holy Cross are currently focusing on and refining, as part of our ongoing commitment to increasing our impact on student learning and participation across all classrooms.