First, a student needs to feel comfortable in the classroom when he or she is asking a question, sharing a solution method and possibly sharing errors in thinking or solutions. In other words, a student needs to feel safe. When students take the risk to share their thinking, encourage the rest of the class to look for what is right in the ideas presented. Often, looking for the "right" in one child's thinking is just the piece another student needs to springboard toward more complete understanding. View any ideas presented as contributions to the class as a whole. Mistakes in this setting are not seen as failures, but as opportunities for everyone to learn and grow.

Tell students that they are all expected to follow classroom rules and be respectful of each other. Teachers need to be vigilant to ensure that no mocking, teasing, laughing or inattention occurs when others are sharing their thinking. Be sure that classroom rules include treating everyone with respect, treating classroom materials with respect and expecting students to be actively responsible for their own learning.