Gesvin Romero shares five participation strategies

Gesvin Romero used an X post on May 22 to lay out five participation routines for younger pupils that teachers can use without adding screens or heavy marking. The list named Think-Pair-Share, Pair Questions, 3-Stage Interview, Open Forum and Jigsaw, according to Romero’s post. The routines all rely on pupil talk, partner explanation and short structured turns rather than longer written tasks. The post circulated as teachers continued trading low-prep classroom strategies on social platforms this week. ### Which five routines did Romero name? Gesvin Romero’s post listed Think-Pair-Share, Pair Questions, 3-Stage Interview, Open Forum and Jigsaw as the five strategies. Romero presented them as practical participation structures for younger learners, according to the post. Think-Pair-Share and Jigsaw are established cooperative-learning routines already described in teacher-training materials and classroom strategy libraries. (x.com) Penda Learning says Think-Pair-Share gives students three steps — think, pair and share — while Jigsaw asks pupils to learn part of a task and then present or discuss it with others. KIPP’s instructional routines library also lists both Think-Pair-Share and Three-Step Interview among collaboration structures used in classrooms. ### How do these routines work in a primary classroom? Think-Pair-Share typically starts with a short question, silent thinking time and partner discussion before a class share-out. ASCD said the routine works best when teachers protect the “think” stage, ask well-designed questions and make pupils accountable for listening to a partner’s answer. (pendalearning.zendesk.com) Three-Step Interview, which Romero called 3-Stage Interview, is commonly used as a paired speaking routine in which one pupil answers, the other listens, and roles switch before reporting back. KIPP’s routines page lists Three-Step Interview as a collaboration format alongside other structured discussion methods. Jigsaw usually divides material across small groups so each pupil becomes responsible for one section before teaching it to others. (ascd.org) Penda Learning says the routine can be used for new material, review and shared discussion, with expectations for both group work and individual accountability set in advance. (trg.kipp.org) ### Why are teachers using talk-heavy structures like these? May 2026 education discussion has included stronger skepticism about heavy classroom screen use and more emphasis on observable, low-friction teaching routines, according to the supplied briefing and recent coverage cited there. Romero’s post fits that wider pattern by pointing teachers toward oral rehearsal and peer explanation rather than additional devices or written workload. (pendalearning.zendesk.com) That connection is an inference based on the timing and content of the post. Collaborative-conversation guidance from Prince George’s County Public Schools says Think-Pair-Share increases wait time, makes students active participants and gives all students a chance to practice speaking and listening. ASCD wrote that pair discussion can help students test and extend their thinking before speaking to the whole class. (x.com) ### What can a teacher try first? A primary teacher could start with Think-Pair-Share because it needs the least movement and fewest materials. ASCD recommends a short prompt, protected thinking time and a clear expectation that students may be asked to report a partner’s idea, not only their own. A second easy entry point is Jigsaw for short texts, pictures or topic cards. (sites.google.com) Penda Learning says teachers should explain the task, set expectations for interaction and decide in advance how they will check both social participation and individual understanding. May 22 is the date of Romero’s post, and the original thread remains the next place to watch for examples, clarifications or classroom adaptations from Romero. (ascd.org) Teachers looking for the exact wording and any follow-up replies can find them on Romero’s X account. (x.com) (pendalearning.zendesk.com)