From my previous career as an alternative school teacher, I found
the "participation" points to be almost unworkable; I also worried
that I might be biased. The school was constantly under
review/supervision/observation by local, state, and national
institutions, so it was important to match every grade to my lesson
plan. For that reason, I established "activities" and continue to
use these.

An activity might be answering teacher questions, working problems,
posting on the chalkboard, working in a pair or small group, panel
discussions - just whatever seems to be an appropriate method for
students to practice the objectives (notice practice - don't use for
introducing new objectives). I announce the activity and announce
the value - harder ones earn more points, and it's possible to earn
less than the norm and/or bonus points for better performance.

Some activities will be listed in the syllabus and some will be "free
form" - that gives me the opportunity to add as warranted.

Particularly in my English Composition I courses, my students are
slow to involve themselves, even when they've read the assignment.
They are nervous, or they haven't learned the Socratic method, or
they haven't figured out how to respond. Also, some students just do
NOT feel comfortable speaking to larger groups. Activities instead
of class discussion seems to reduce their stress.

By the middle of the semester - most students will participate in
small group discussions.

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