I have a child in my class who tries very, very hard to join in class activities, but hampered by learning difficulties, often doesn't quite succeed.
On the carpet during discussion, the hand will shoot up enthusistically and a comment or question emerges that is barely articulate. We know that with support, we can help to unravel the word tangle and create a sensible comment that we can praise and encourage. If, as is often the case, the question has already been answered or may be somewhat off-topic, we reply suitably anyway and give credit for the contribution. The third time the hand goes up, we point out that other children want a chance to comment too and suggest listening carefully for a few minutes.
But recently we have had visitors to the class talking to them on our history topic and it causes a bit of difficulty. We see how glad the visitor is to see the enthusiasm of our little questioner, and then how nonplussed they are with what comes out. Like us, they do their best to work out the question and answer it sensibly, but then they KEEP ON RESPONDING every time the hand goes up, even when they must realise the exchange isn't likely to add much to the general learning.
All praise to the patient visitors; but I sit there thinking "No, no, ignore it - or say it's someone else's turn!"
