The ladder of feedback is a wonderful tool to help students give more structured feedback. It really is a great way to facilitate structured communication…and so I see the place for it in a Language B classroom. You can find a link here to the Harvard – Project Zero material related to the Ladder and lots more by doing a simple Google search.
I however have taken the idea to another level in the classroom. I have turned it into a game. Which goes as follows:
1) students present an idea, plan, etc in a set time…say 1 min (others ONLY listen)
2) others ask QUALIFYING questions only…ie was that for a 2 or 3 person boat? ..about 30 seconds here.
GAME PART NOW 
The presenter now DISAPPEARS …they cannot make eye contact with others…and can only listen.
3) the others discuss FIRST – what they like about the idea, then What they are worried about. All in the 3rd person, never looking at the presenter. Here they really need to stick to the LIKES first and WORRIES second, idea…and NO SUGGESTIONS! (about 2 minutes)
PRESENTER MAGICALLY REAPPEARS NOW POOF!
4) presenter thanks everyone for the feedback and opens it up for suggestions and discussion
about 2 minutes here.
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