Provide an opportunity for every student to verbally participate in class through a “speak out.” After material has been presented, direct students to create and hold in their minds a very clear thought related in some way to the material. Pause a moment for everyone to practice by simultaneously speaking their thoughts (this is very important in creating a level of comfort for some students), and then move quickly from one student to the next allowing each to share his/her thought. Once students become comfortable with this exercise, the speak out topics can become more directed. For example, in a math classroom, students may have to speak out about a real life application of a math concept.