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English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

Explore tips, tools, and resources for teaching English Language Arts and Reading. Enhance literacy and inspire students with creative strategies.

Explore three tools to quickly and effectively differentiate and personalize literacy instruction for all readers.

Three AI Tools for Literacy Instruction

by Holly Taylor March 27, 2024

written by Holly Taylor

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, using artificial intelligence (AI) tools holds great promise for transforming classrooms. As educators, we find ourselves at the forefront of this exciting shift. Proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking empowers students to access information, express their thoughts, and engage with the world. However, the traditional one-size-fits-all approach to literacy often falls short of meeting the diverse needs of our students. Enter AI, a tool that can help teachers differentiate learning experiences, identify learning gaps, and provide targeted support to students.

Will AI Replace Educators?

Before exploring AI tools that have the potential to revolutionize literacy classrooms, it is important to highlight one of the major concerns surrounding AI: the idea that it may eliminate the need for teachers in the future. The fear of AI replacing teachers entirely is a valid concern, but AI must be viewed as a valuable ally instead of a substitute. The need for human touch in designing and developing quality lessons can not be underscored. As we delve into the capabilities of various AI tools, we must keep our pedagogical practices at the forefront. Now, let’s look at three AI tools you can use to boost literacy.

1. Magic School AI

With over 60 AI generators featured on their website, MagicSchool has the capability of transforming classrooms and saving teachers time in the process. As literacy teachers, it is crucial to provide students with engaging and grade-appropriate texts. However, finding relevant materials can be a challenge. That’s where MagicSchool’s “Informational Text” generator comes in handy.

MagicSchool AI's Informational Texts Generator offers literacy teachers a quick way to accommodate learners' needs when it comes to reading. — Screenshot by Holly Taylor | **MagicSchool** | **Informational Texts Generator**

Imagine this: You’re teaching a unit during Women’s History Month, and you want your 5th grade students to learn about the remarkable Maya Angelou. Instead of spending hours searching for suitable texts, you can simply use the Informational Texts Generator. It can instantly create a grade-level appropriate text about this influential writer and activist. Now, your students can dive into Maya Angelou’s inspiring journey without spending hours creating, adapting, or searching for a supplemental resource.

2. Diffit

Diffit provides literacy teachers with a way to differentiate texts by changing the reading levels. — Screenshot by Holly Taylor | **Diffit** | **“Get Resources” Page**

As educators, we’re always seeking ways to meet the diverse needs of our students. Diffit is an AI tool designed specifically for creating leveled activities. Imagine being a 4th grade teacher who wants to differentiate an article about Lewis and Clark. You need to make it accessible for struggling readers or ESL students. With Diffit, you can level up or down any article to match the needs of your students. The Lewis and Clark article can be uploaded directly to the Diffit platform and adjusted to a 3rd-grade level. Now, struggling readers can engage with the content effectively.

Diffit doesn’t stop at adjusting the text. It goes the extra mile by generating a vocabulary list, multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and more. These resources empower literacy teachers to seamlessly differentiate instruction based on individual student needs. Using Diffit, teachers can ensure that all students can access the same text at a level that suits them. Whether a struggling reader or an advanced learner, everyone benefits from personalized content.

3. Twee

Screenshot by Emily Horn | **Twee** | **Tools Page**

In the context of K-12 education, AI tools like Twee offer exciting possibilities for enhancing literacy instruction. One of Twee’s standout features is its dialogue-based “Create a dialogue on any topic” tool. With Twee, you can input any subject, generating an original conversation between characters or historical figures. For instance, I used this tool to create a dialogue centered around Lewis and Clark, the famous explorers. Here’s an example of the conversation that was generated:

Lewis: Hey, Clark. Are you awake? Thought I’d check out the map one last time before we hit the trail.

Clark: Yeah, just sittin’ here boiling up our coffee water and trying to get warm in front of this fire. Brrr…it’s colder than yesterday!

Lewis: Looks like we’re gonna have another tough day sloggin’ through these hills again with all that underbrush slowing us down. During breakfast I may break open a pouch containing ten grains of dried peas which has been sweetened with molasses. What do you think?

Clark: Sounds yummy. What about dinner?

Students can read this dialogue in groups or even transform it into a Readers’ Theater script for an interactive experience. By exploring dialogues generated by Twee, students gain insights into historical context and character perspectives. It’s a powerful way to foster critical thinking and make learning come alive.

In our literacy classrooms, integrating AI with the educator’s touch holds great promise. As we explore AI tools like MagicSchool, Diffit, and Twee, we unlock pathways to enriching student learning experiences with AI as a trusted co-pilot. From leveling articles to generating dialogues, these tools save time and enhance our teaching. They’re not here to replace us but can amplify our impact. Take what’s generated, personalize, adapt, and tailor it to your students’ needs. Or use it as a springboard for discussions, projects, or collaborative activities. Let your imagination soar and weave your unique touch into your students’ learning experiences.

March 27, 2024 0 comments

Digital Literacy English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

A SIFT Lesson Plan: Critical Skills for Navigating Media

by Miguel Guhlin March 12, 2024

written by Miguel Guhlin

“Oh my goodness, have you seen all the political ads on the television recently?” said a colleague earlier this month. It’s an election year, but how are you making sense of what’s true and false? Many of us have to learn how to deal with persuasive text, which may include political propaganda. And many adults and students are dealing with media overwhelm.

The middle school Texas ELA TEKS emphasize critical thinking skills. But how do you teach that? Let’s take a look at one approach you might consider. That approach is Mike Caufield’s SIFT Method (CC-BY 4.0 license). Before jumping into an overview of SIFT, let’s take a moment to review why it’s even necessary.

Media Overwhelm

If you can read, listen, or watch content, you are under continuous assault. Differing viewpoints and perspectives assail your senses. In fact, when you have so many points of view, you may lack an easy way to make your own selections. The sheer volume of content can force some to throw up their hands in anomie.

Did You Know?

Anomie is an old concept, dating back to Emile Durkheim’s 1897 work, “Suicide: A Study in Sociology.” You may, as I did, have first learned about it in high school sociology class. Anomie occurs when the norms and values of society are unclear. People become confused about how to behave. Social order is threatened and people feel unrestricted in their behavior.

Anomie is a lack of rules about interpreting content resulting from the media blizzard. It raises its head with media due to the effects of media overwhelm. This can have dire consequences for students:

The psychological and social effects of excessive exposure to media and information can lead to feelings of isolation or conformity.

Hyper-connectedness results in feelings of disconnection that can affect students (source). To assist students and staff, you might consider adopting a tool to sift through the fluff.

Available Online at the OER Pressbooks Website

Introducing SIFT

A simple process, SIFT is an acronym that represents the following actions:

Stop. Check your emotions. If you have an emotional response to content, you’ve been “hooked” already.
Investigate the source. Where does the content originate? Who made it?
Find better coverage. Check other reliable sources to verify.
Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context.

Each step in the process comes with a few moves and questions you can ask. You can find these outlined in the infographic below.

View | Get a Copy in Canva | Get PPTx or PDF

Using the SIFT approach (or SIFT Method) in a real-life situation is easy. Let’s give it a go.

Example Use of SIFT Method

“Hey, Miguel, did you hear the news? Our principal now expects us to write all our lesson plans by hand to prove they weren’t generated by AI.” said a teacher at a recent event. “It’s in response to a new policy that goes something like this,” she shared. Then she gave me a printout:

View full size | Get a Copy in Canva | Get PDF (Adapted from Jason Horne’s “What do you tell teachers about AI?“)

What might this analysis look like with the SIFT Approach in mind?

SIFT Step	Questions to Ask	Moves	Analysis
S – Stop	– What is my initial reaction to the memo? – What do I know about the source of the memo?	Pause and consider any immediate reactions. Reflect on the credibility of the source.	The memo is formal and appears to be from a school principal, Juan Wright, addressing the teaching staff. It seems to be a legitimate communication about policy regarding the use of Language Learning Models (LLMs).
I – Investigate the Source	– Who is Juan Wright? – What is the reputation of the school or institution?	Research the author and the institution to understand their credibility.	Juan Wright is identified as the principal. To further investigate, one would need to look up his professional background and the school’s reputation. However, this information is not provided in the memo or the search results.
F – Find Better Coverage	– Are there other documents or announcements from the school that discuss the use of LLMs? – Have other schools implemented similar policies?	Look for corroborating documents or policies from other sources.	The memo itself does not provide other sources, but one could search for similar policies at other educational institutions or official guidelines on the use of AI in education to compare practices.
T – Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to their Original Context	– Can the policy points mentioned in the memo be traced to educational standards or guidelines? – Is the policy based on research or recommendations from educational authorities?	Seek out the original sources that may have informed the policy.	The memo does not cite specific research or educational standards. To fully trace the policy’s basis, one would need to access the school’s official policy documents or inquire with the administration about the research or guidelines that informed the policy.

AI-generated SIFT Analysis of a fake principal memo regarding lesson plans

Applying the SIFT Method

Now that you know what SIFT is, let’s apply it quickly to a news item, “Artificial Intelligence Helps Complete Beethoven’s Unfinished Symphony” from DoGoNews. The analysis below relies on ChatGPT-generated content:

SIFT Step	Questions to Ask	Moves	Analysis
S – Stop	– What is my initial reaction to the headline? – What do I already know about the topic? – What do I know about the source?	Before diving into the content, pause to consider any biases or emotional reactions. Reflect on the source’s credibility.	The headline is intriguing and might evoke curiosity or skepticism. Given that DoGoNews is a platform aimed at younger audiences, it’s designed to be educational. However, it’s still important to approach with a critical mind.
I – Investigate the Source	– Who is the author? – What is the mission of DoGoNews? – Are there any potential biases?	Research the author and the publication to understand their credibility and potential biases.	Lisa Castillo, the author, writes for DoGoNews, a site dedicated to providing news for kids. While the site aims to educate, it’s crucial to cross-check information with other reputable sources to ensure accuracy and lack of bias.
F – Find Better Coverage	– Are other reputable sources reporting on this? – Do fact-checkers support the claims made?	Look for corroborating or contradicting reports from other sources.	The completion of Beethoven’s unfinished symphony by AI is covered by multiple reputable sources, including CBC[3], NVIDIA Blog[5], and Classic FM[6]. This widespread coverage by credible sources supports the article’s claims.
T – Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to their Original Context	– Can the original studies or announcements be found? – Is the information presented in its true context?	Seek out the original sources of claims, quotes, and media mentioned to verify their accuracy and context.	The article references resources like Theconversation.com, NPR.com, and ScientificAmerican.com[1], which are reputable. However, directly accessing these sources or looking for the original announcements or studies would provide the most accurate context and information.

AI-Generated SIFT Analysis of DOGOnews article

Looking for some additional sources of age-appropriate news? Here’s a short list:

View full-size | Get a copy in Canva or PDF

Now that you’ve seen it in action with age-appropriate content, let’s look at a lesson plan using the same example.

Lesson Plan Example

In the example below, you will see the following:

This lesson plan aims to teach 6th graders how to think in a critical manner. It also facilitates their understanding of how to assess online sources. This aligns to the relevant TEKS standards for English/Language Arts. The activities build on one another, solidifying the SIFT method’s learning goals. Accommodations appear to ensure all students can engage and gain from the lesson.

Here’s what a 60-minute lesson plan for sixth graders might look like:

Objectives	Standards	Pre-Assessment	Activities	Post-Assessment	Accommodations	Time
TEKS ELA.6.12.H.i: The student uses critical inquiry to analyze the author’s choices and how they influence and communicate meaning within a variety of texts.	TEKS ELA.6.12.H.i: The student uses critical inquiry to analyze the authors’ choices and how they influence and communicate meaning within a variety of texts.	Students will complete a short quiz to assess their initial understanding of evaluating sources and identifying credible information.	Introduction to SIFT (15 mins): Briefly explain the SIFT method and its importance. Use a simple, clear example to illustrate each step. Group Activity (20 mins): In groups, students will apply the SIFT method to pre-selected websites or articles. Each group will present their findings. SIFT Practice (20 mins): Students will individually choose an online article and apply the SIFT method, documenting their process and conclusions.	Students will write a brief reflection on how the SIFT method changed their perspective on evaluating sources and how they plan to use it in the future.	Provide visual aids and step-by-step guides for each SIFT step. Offer additional time for tasks as needed. Use technology to assist students with special needs.	60 mins

In a world flooded with media, telling the truth from falsities is essential. Equip your students with a critical thinking approach, the SIFT method—stop, investigate the source, find better coverage, and trace claims back to their roots. It will assist them in sorting through the noise to evaluate media with a critical lens. This approach will guide you through the firehose of content and help you avoid the confusion and disconnection that too much information can cause.

March 12, 2024 0 comments

5 lesson plan ideas for celebrating National Poetry Month in the classroom.

English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

Five Lesson Plan Ideas to Celebrate National Poetry Month

by Sara Qualls March 11, 2024

written by Sara Qualls

April is National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate the beauty, power, and creativity of poetry in our classrooms. Engage your students in the magic of verse with these five lesson ideas tailored for National Poetry Month!

1. Poetry Slam Showcase

Host a poetry slam for National Poetry Month where students can showcase their original poems or recite works from famous poets. Encourage creativity and self-expression while fostering public speaking skills. Provide a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions through poetry.

Host a Class Poetry Slam

2. Poet Study and Analysis

Rockin' resources provides a step-by-step guide for student poety analysis. This can be used during National Poetry Month or anytime! — Screenshot by Emily Horn | Rockin’ Resources | **Step-by-Step to Effective Poetry Analysis**

Select a diverse range of poets and their works for students to study and analyze. Explore different styles, themes, and literary devices employed by poets such as Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and Maya Angelou, or contemporary poets like Amanda Gorman. Engage students in critical thinking by discussing the significance of each poet’s contributions to the world of literature. It’s a great way to celebrate National Poetry Month.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Poetry Analysis

3. Found Poetry Workshop

Introduce the concept of found poetry, where students create poems using existing texts such as newspapers, magazines, or even their favorite books. This can be a fun National Poetry Month activity or you can use it at any point throughout the year! Teach students how to extract meaningful phrases or words from these sources and arrange them to create new poetic compositions. Encourage experimentation and creativity as students repurpose language to convey their own unique messages.

Create Found Poetry

4. Collaborative Poetry Anthology

The Literary Maven offers a lesson plan for collaborative poetry, perfect for National Poetry Month! — Screenshot by Emily Horn | The Literary Maven | C **ollaborative Poetry: Bring Students’ Voices Together Through Group Writing**

Divide students into small groups and assign each group a theme or topic to explore through poetry. Encourage collaboration as students brainstorm ideas, write individual poems, and then compile them into a collaborative poetry anthology. This project promotes teamwork, creativity, and a sense of collective achievement as students contribute to a shared body of work. Incorporate this activity during National Poetry Month or use it to make connections to content at other points during the year.

How to Facilitate Collaborative Poetry

5. Dear Poet 2024

Each National Poetry Month, Dear Poet provides an immersive educational initiative inviting 5th-12th grade students to craft letters in response to the works of celebrated poets. Through this multimedia project, participants engage with poetry on a personal level, connecting with the artistry and insights of award-winning poets through their written and spoken words.

Dear Poet 2024

National Poetry Month provides an excellent opportunity to ignite students’ passion for poetry and cultivate their skills as writers, thinkers, and performers. Incorporate these lesson ideas into your classroom to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of poetry among your students.

More Poetry Month Resources

March 11, 2024 1 comment

6-8 ELAR TEKS and Free, Editable Spreadsheets

English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading TEKS

The Middle School ELAR TEKS and Free, Editable Spreadsheets

by Emily Horn February 22, 2024

written by Emily Horn

We’re back with more editable TEKS! I’m working my way through the K-12 content areas, and if there’s a set of TEKS you’d like to see published, send me an email at ehorn@tcea.org or leave a comment, and I’ll add them to my running list. Today, we’ll be exploring the Middle School ELAR TEKS. Who’s with me? Anybody? Bueller? Let’s go!

What Are the TEKS?

In short, the TEKS are the curricular standards adopted by the Texas State Board of Education. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in each content area for each grade level. State-mandated tests are aligned with these standards to measure student achievement and skills acquisition.

About the Middle School ELAR TEKS

The current Middle School ELAR TEKS were adopted in 2017 and amended to be effective in 2019. The introduction for the 6-8 grade ELAR TEKS is almost identical to its K-5 counterpart. Let’s take a look at how middle school knowledge and skills build upon the foundation of the K-5 ELAR TEKS.

Like the K-5 ELAR TEKS, grades 6-8 focus on the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Additionally, the seven strands started within the K-5 TEKS continue through grades 6-8:
- Strand 1: Developing and sustaining foundational language
- Strand 2: Comprehension
- Strand 3: Response
- Strand 4: Multiple texts
- Strand 5: Author’s purpose and craft
- Strand 6: Composition
- Strand 7: Inquiry and research
The focus on oral language (expression and comprehension) continues to weave through these grade 6-8 ELAR TEKS as a focal point for literacy as well as authentic reading and reflective writing.
As in K-5, it is clearly stated within the 6-8 ELAR TEKS that each strand is of equal value, although some strands may require more instructional time than others. The strands can be presented in any order but they should be integrated throughout the instructional year.
References to encoding and decoding have been removed from this intro, as would be expected.
The goal remains for students to become “self-directed, critical learners who work collaboratively while continuously using metacognitive skills.”
As in K-5, there should be daily opportunities for students to read, write, engage in academic discussions, and be read to.
English Language Learners (ELLs) are expected to meet standards in a second language, and their language development affects their ability to demonstrate mastery of skills in English. Therefore, they should be provided scaffolding for text comprehension and linguistic accommodations to help ensure mastery.
ELLs should also be encouraged to use their first language to help them develop and build English vocabulary. Making connections between a native language and English is important to English language development (affective, cognitive, and academic).
Within the standards, “such as” is used to illustrate examples, whereas “including” alludes to content that must be mastered.

Helpful TEKS Documents

TEA TEKS Documents
K-12 Vertical Alignment TEKS Documents
lead4ward TEKS Resources
TEKS Guide by TEA

6-8 Grade ELAR TEKS Freebies from TCEA

Ready for some editable freebies? Snag spreadsheets for grades 6-8 ELAR below. Each spreadsheet contains one tab with the TEKS and a second tab with “I can” statements. I hope you find these useful and that they save you a little time somehow.

English Language Arts Free and Editable TEKS Spreadsheets

Grade 8 ELAR TEKS Spreadsheet — **Click to make a copy of the Grade 6 ELAR TEKS and “I Can” Statement Spreadsheet**

**Click to make a copy of the Grade 7 ELAR TEKS and “I Can” Statement Spreadsheet**

**Click to make a copy of the Grade 8 ELAR TEKS and “I Can” Statement Spreadsheet**

Additional STAAR and TEKS Articles You May Find Useful

February 22, 2024 0 comments

7 benefits of audiobooks for struggling readers.

English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Reading

Seven Ways Audiobooks Benefit Struggling Readers

by Chris Buecksler January 11, 2024

written by Chris Buecksler

Technology is the great equalizer for students who have challenges accessing grade-level texts. Audiobooks are an “easy button” technology tool that can provide immediate access for students while optimizing teacher time and resources.

Audiobooks Are Supports, Not Replacements

Teacher working with struggling reader in 1:1 reading instruction.

It’s important to note that audiobooks should not replace traditional reading instruction entirely. There is a time and a place for struggling readers to read within their decoding ability— when working on explicit skill building in a one-to-one or small group setting. All other times, when students need to read for grade-level assignments and participate in classwork or self-select titles for pleasure reading, they need access at their grade-level or cognitive level. That said, let’s look at eight ways audiobooks are beneficial when it comes to supporting reading interventions.

The Benefits of Audiobooks

1. Auditory Learning and Multisensory Approach

Some students are auditory learners, meaning they grasp information better when they hear it. Audiobooks allow struggling readers to access content through their sense of hearing, potentially improving comprehension and retention. Audiobooks provide a multisensory experience by combining auditory input with the visual aspect of following along with the text. This dual approach can reinforce understanding and help struggling readers make connections between spoken words and written text.

Struggling readers using audiobooks in the classroom to read the same text as their peers.

2. Access to Vocabulary

Listening to audiobooks, especially those with human narration, exposes struggling readers to correct pronunciation and varied vocabulary. This can enhance their language skills and contribute to a richer vocabulary, which is vital as the demand for higher-level word exposure increases as students age.

3. Increased Comprehension

Audiobooks can help struggling readers reduce their cognitive load. The student does not need to expend mental energy on the task of decoding so they can focus on comprehension. Learning through listening can enhance comprehension, as it allows listeners to focus on understanding the content without the added challenge of decoding written words.

4. Access to Grade-Level Material

Audiobooks enable struggling readers to access more complex and age-appropriate material than they might be able to read independently. This exposure to higher-level content can help them develop a deeper understanding of various subjects. Students can read the same books as their peers, allowing them to participate in class discussions with confidence.

5. Flexibility and Accessibility

Struggling reading listens to and reads and audiobook on the metro bus.

Audiobooks are flexible and can be listened to almost anywhere, allowing struggling readers to integrate reading into their daily routines. Additionally, audiobooks are accessible to individuals with print disabilities, such as dyslexia, making reading more inclusive. Students can download books onto their personal, online bookshelf, which can be accessed with or without internet access at school and at home 24/7. For example, the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution^TM is compatible with PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, Android, and iOS devices.

6. Independence

Audiobooks provide struggling readers with the opportunity to engage with literature independently. This independence can boost their confidence and motivate them to explore a wider range of texts.

7. Encouragement and Enjoyment

Audiobooks can make the reading experience more enjoyable for struggling readers. The engaging narrators, sound effects, and overall production can capture their interest, fostering a positive attitude toward reading.

The Learning Ally Audiobook Solution can remove the barriers to reading, permitting your students to read and learn along with their peers. Audiobooks provide a quick win for you in terms of improving your students’ reading and literacy skills.

Now, through an exclusive partnership with the Texas Education Agency (TEA), any public school in Texas can bring the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution to their students at no cost! Take advantage of the TEA funding and get started with audiobooks at no out-of-pocket cost to your school or district. Get started today!

January 11, 2024 0 comments

English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)

Four Emoji Kitchen Activities for English Language Arts

by Peggy Reimers December 13, 2023

written by Peggy Reimers

Emojis are more than just cute pictures, they’re a language all their own. Emoji Kitchen is a fun web tool that lets you and your students combine two emojis to make an original emoji mash-up. If this is the first time you’ve heard about Emoji Kitchen, check out my colleague Miguel Guhlin’s article to get a rundown of how to use this fabulous generator. Go ahead. Try it out!

Emoji Kitchen Get Cooking — Screenshot by Emily Horn: Emoji Kitchen “**Get Cooking**” Page

You’re probably asking yourself, “Yeah, it’s cool, but how can I use this in the classroom?” Let’s explore four activities (and a bonus!) that I hope you can use in your classroom:

Animoji
Personification
Opposites
Idioms
All About Me

If none of these work, maybe they will spark an idea for incorporating this gem into your lesson plans.

1. Animojis (Animal Mash-Ups)

Examples of Peggy's Denquin which is made up of a deer and a penguin. One more is Katie's Purtle, a combination of a pig and a turtle.

Are you ready to mash up two emojis to make a new fan-dangled animal? Don’t forget to use a collaborative platform so students can see each other’s imaginative results.

Directions:

Visit Emoji Kitchen individually or as a small group
Craft your Animoji.
Share on Padlet, in a collaborative document, or via a digital whiteboard, etc.
- Include the group or student name.
- Share the Animoji’s name.

Optional extension: Use questions as predictions, writing prompts, or for follow-up discussions.

What do you think the new creature will look like? Describe its potential features.
What body parts do you think it will inherit from each animal?
How big or small do you think the animoji will be?
What colors/patterns might it have from each animal?
How will it move around? Crawl, fly, jump, slither, etc.

Access the Animoji Activity

2. Personification

Four personification examples, including The waves eagerly lapped the shore with the mashed up Emoji Kitchen smiley face and the ocean wave.

Personification is when we give human traits, characteristics, or emotions to non-human things like animals, objects, or ideas. It’s like turning a non-human thing into a person! Emoji Kitchen would be a perfect way to give animals and other objects human traits. For example, I combined a cloud with an angry expression and came up with “the storm raged loudly all night.” The storm seems angry, even though a storm doesn’t have feelings.

Access the Personification Activity

3. Opposites

The sad opposite example with a sad panda bear but the opposite is happy with a happy balloon, koala and robot.

Why not use Emoji Kitchen to show an understanding of opposites? The teaching slide deck has the instructions and 11 words for the opposites activity. Choose an emoji mash-up and have students create a new mash-up to express the opposite! Words can include:

sad
sour
cold
healthy
awake
over
quiet
slow
sunny
empty
real

Directions:

Study the emoji. What is it expressing?
Brainstorm the opposite meaning.
Use Emoji Kitchen to create an emoji that shows the opposite.
Go ahead and get creative with your emoji blends!

Access the Opposites Activity

4. Idioms

Idioms are expressions where the meaning of a phrase is different from the literal meaning of the words themselves. This activity houses 24 idioms. On each slide, there are four idioms with their respective definitions. The mission is to match each idiom to its correct definition and emoji (designed in Emoji Kitchen.) Teachers, you could also delete the premade emojis and have each student craft their own to go with each idiom.

Access the Idiom Activity

BONUS: All About Me

The All About Me graphic including favorite holiday, age, and I want you to know sticky note graphics.

For back to school, or any time of the year, the All About Me activity is a staple in the classroom. Why not use Emoji Kitchen to showcase personalities, talents, and fun facts? Emoji Kitchen lends an opportunity to showcase and celebrate each and every student in your classroom as a unique exceptional individual. Students provide the requested information along with their Emoji Kitchen creations.

All About Me in Google Slides

All About Me in Canva

I certainly think Emoji Kitchen adds a playful twist allowing you and your students to concoct original emoji combinations. I hope you enjoy these five activities and can incorporate them into your teaching toolbelt. Try one or more out and spark a world of emoji-driven creativity in your teaching! And if you get a spare moment, I would be tickled pink if you drop a comment and let me know how you are using Emoji Kitchen in your classroom!

Featured Image: Screenshot by Emily Horn of an Emoji Kitchen Mash-Up Creation

December 13, 2023 2 comments

Content Areas English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)Science

Examples for Teaching with Fake News and Pseudoscience

by Miguel Guhlin November 17, 2023

written by Miguel Guhlin

Are you watching students and colleagues make claims based on potentially unverified information they’ve encountered? How can we balance all the information we receive from various outlets with a solid, decision-making process? Let’s explore some sources you can use to teach middle school students the importance of fact-checking and critical thinking. You’ll also discover an exciting new product, The Silph Booster, guaranteed to solve any child’s school cognition problems.

“We think we follow evidence to a conclusion. In reality, we come to our beliefs in irrational ways, then work backwards to find evidence to rationalize the belief. Pseudoscience is the promotion of a non-scientific theory. It is motivated by wishful thinking, existing beliefs, or identity.”
Melanie Trecek-King

Asking Tough Questions

Teachers and librarians may very well ask tough questions like these:

How should professionals address the issues of fake news, pseudoscience, propaganda, and/or biased research?
What happens when state organizations push biased information?
What are the best ways to use digital tools to support critical thinking today?
What are the requisite critical thinking skills that consumers and creators need?

These are tough questions that educators wrestle with. One possibility is changing how you think of it. Pseudoscience is a “by-product of normal science,” and this video is a bit of an eye-opener on the BENEFITS of pseudoscience.

Defining Fake News and Pseudoscience

Fake news is made-up information that’s given the appearance of real, legitimate news. Pseudoscience is fabricated and made to look like real science information. But both are designed to fool you or make you accept something that’s false as truth (adapted from source). How can we teach about this in grades 5-8? And, how might we even encourage the analysis of the design of pseudoscience? Before we get to that, let’s revisit an old bit of pseudoscience you may be familiar with.

Take a moment to watch this video about fake news (or this one). Share your responses to the questions in the comments.

Using Easy-to-Disprove Stories to Teach Critical Thinking

Many start teaching students about fake information using easy-to-disprove stories. For example, the tree octopus site has long served as an example of pseudoscience.

The Pacific Northwest tree octopus is an Internet hoax created in 1998 by Lyle Zapato. This fictitious endangered species of cephalopod was purportedly able to live both on land and in water. It was said to live in the Olympic National Forest and nearby rivers, spawning in water where its eggs are laid. Its major predator was reported to be the Sasquatch. The Pacific Northwest tree octopus website is among a number of sites commonly used in Internet literacy classes in schools, although it was not created for that purpose. (source)

Back in the 1990s, this bit of lore was old. It’s pseudoscience, even if old, that stirs a chuckle or two. I remember sharing it at “Intro to the Internet” workshops for teachers. Back then, it was about encouraging people to look twice, analyzing the website, before trusting what they found. It soon evolved into a funny way to introduce students to silly, fake facts. Finding out what’s actually true or not with more realistic information is a lot harder. Let’s take a look at some other story examples you can use for teaching.

Check out this lesson plan…

Here’s a middle school lesson plan aligned to NGSS standards. Students explore the characteristics of science and pseudoscience.

“You have to disentangle the details. You have to hold up every one independently, and ask, ‘How do we know this detail? Where are all these details coming from? Where did that specific detail come from?”
Eliezar Yudkowsky

Example #1: Saving Critical Cash Crops

Did you know you can harvest spaghetti noodles? Watch this video and consider the story of spaghetti cultivation and harvest.

This is a delightful tale about how spaghetti noodles find their way to your plate. Want a more up-to-date example? Explore how climate change is impacting farming. Heavy rains are jeopardizing this cotton candy farm, blue strawberries, and marshmallow fruit trees. Have students brainstorm solutions to save these cash crops.

“Most people, in fact, will not take trouble in finding out the truth, but are much more inclined to accept the first story they hear.”
Thucydides

Example #2: Sea Monsters and Whales in the Great Lakes

Explore the enchanting yarn of the Nantucket Sea Monster. Or see how many people have observed whales in the Great Lakes.

It’s incredible to see videos like this one, right? More pictures are available.

“Each year we report the movements of the whales on Lake Superior. The reports are sightings sent by residents and visitors along the North Shore of Lake Superior. If you spot whale activity, let us know by filling out the form on the right! We accept photos, too.”

“What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence.
Christopher Hitchens (a.k.a. “Hitchen’s Razor”)

Example #3: Pig Hero Rescues Baby Goat

It’s not every day you see amazing pig rescues. Once you watch this, you realize how powerful a video is to capture just-in-time acts of heroism.

This video provides some more insights into the creation of the goat rescue. What do you think?

Fake News Isn’t New

Amazing enough, fake news isn’t a recent affliction. You can watch this video to learn more about fake news in the 18th century. This video features a particularly interesting maternal claim. Watch the video to learn more.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Carl Sagan (a.k.a. “Sagan’s standard”)

Example #4: Mike the Headless Chicken

Can you imagine a chicken living without its head? If you aren’t familiar with this bit of lore, you’ll want to check it out.

On September 10, 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen of Fruita, Colorado, was planning to eat supper with his mother-in-law. He was sent out to the yard by his wife to bring back a chicken. Olsen chose a five-and-a-half-month-old Wyandotte chicken named Mike.

Mike, the chicken was still able to balance on a perch and walk clumsily. He attempted to preen, peck for food, and crow, though with limited success.

We are trying to prove ourselves wrong as quickly as possible, because only in that way can we find progress.
richard feynman

Example #5: Nut Milking

Find out the truth behind that almond, cashew, and pistachio milk you’ve been buying at the store. In this three-minute documentary, you and your students will be startled. You’ll learn what it takes to milk nuts, not unlike cows.

It is morally as bad not to care whether a thing is true or not, so long as it makes you feel good, as it is not to care how you got your money as long as you have got it.
Edmund way teale, circle of the seasons (1950)

A Few Books on the Subject

Want to beef up your knowledge on the subject of fake news and pseudoscience? Check out these books to broaden your perspective and deepen your knowledge. You will also find some more examples of stories you and your students can analyze.

Killer Underwear Invasion! by Elise Gravel
Developing Digital Detectives: Essential Lessons for Discerning Fact from Fiction in the ‘Fake News’ Era by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins
Fact Vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News by Jennifer LaGarde and Darren Hudgins

Here are some specific books that feature examples of lies:

Two Truths and a Lie: It’s Alive! by Ammi-Joan Paquette, Laurie Ann Thompson, and Lisa K. Weber
The Nantucket Sea Monster: A Fake News Story by Darcy Pattison and Peter Willis

Want more resources? Explore this Wakelet by high school teacher, Julie Drewry. She does a wonderful job wrapping up stories and ideas, some of which I’ve included in this blog entry.

Give Fakey a Try

You will find interesting scenarios, some of which may highlight toxic practices in education and/or work place. Be sure to preview the scenarios to see if they are appropriate for your situation. Play the game.

Mistrust arguments from authority. In science, there are no forbidden questions, no matters too sensitive or delicate to be probed, no sacred truths.
Carl Sagan

Make Up Your Own Fake News and Pseudoscience

Wouldn’t it be a hoot to create your own fake news and pseudoscience for teaching purposes? I know it is because I’ve written fake news articles about family, friends, and colleagues. Although read by a limited audience, I still remember the time I wrote one about a principal. Ahem, well, no need to go into details. If you need some inspiration, clickbait and April Fool’s jokes are great sources for ideas.

Source: Connect the Dots: Pimple Personality Test in Weekly World News, 1999

Seven Steps to Creating Pseudoscience

To construct your own pseudoscience, Robert T. Carroll has some suggestions. With those for inspiration, I’ve boiled them down to seven steps:

Make big promises about the scientific proof for something that most people fear (e.g. death, pain) or desire (e.g. money, health, long life).
Use a lot of jargon and hedge your promises with words like “may help.”
Reference conspiracies that try to keep the truth from the public.
Claim you have discovered a secret scientists are unaware of.
Make stuff up and include testimonials from famous people with big names.
Charge for your product.
Wear a lab coat and call yourself a doctor.

How could we put these suggestions to good use?

The Silph Booster, Now Available

Want a quick example that takes real news and science but twists it into pseudoscience? Let’s see…did you know about this new booster to your health, the Silph Booster? It’s especially effective given its long history from ancient times. The original plant on which this solution was based was lost. But it has been recently rediscovered!

Ancient silver coin from Cyrene depicting a stalk of silphium (source: Wikipedia)
The “miracle” plant Silphium consumed by Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, which was thought to have become extinct two thousand years ago, has recently been rediscovered in Turkey by a professor, who thinks he’s found a botanical survivor (source).

advertisement for Silph Booster — Author provided image created with Canva

Are your students having problems getting along in school? Are their grades in core content areas slipping? That may be due to commensal septimedia, a condition recently discovered in grades 5-12. It is the direct result of social media usage and exposure to digital media in schools.

While students may endure it for years without visible effect, it can manifest to bad result. To address it, you will need a powerful herb popular in classical Greek and Roman times. The herb is silphium, and it is now available as a dietary supplement, ingestible as a capsule. Five capsules a day, three at breakfast and two at dinner, will have an immediate salutary effect. Scientists at a prestigious nonprofit education organization have conducted ground-breaking, longitudinal research. The curative impact of the Silph Booster cannot be overstated.

This miracle plant supplement has been kept secret for thousands of years. Fortunately, scientists in the lab at TCEA Science Institute of Technology made a breakthrough that allows us to bring it to you in four easy payments of $35 each for a bottle of 100 capsules. Call 1-800-282-8232 and ask for Chief Researcher, Miguel Guhlin, for details. The Silph Booster is currently only available for youngsters under parental supervision. A stronger formula for K-16 educators is under development. Order now. Government agencies, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), want to keep America dumb, so they are fighting to stop production in the United States. For a limited time, you can order the European version of the booster, which features a stronger formula.

Critical Thinking Is Unnatural, Yet Necessary

“We have to keep reminding ourselves that critical thinking is an unnatural act,” says Carroll. And, I can’t disagree. Every time I find myself falling for pseudoscience, or failing to ask tough questions, I sigh. Like reading, critical thinking is something you practice to get better at. Two quick acknowledgments:

The Silph Booster is a fake product.
Special thanks to Lisa Toner in the Future Ready Librarians group for inspiring this post with her question.

November 17, 2023 0 comments

4 Reading Comprehension Strategies of CSR: Preview, Click & Clunk, Get the Gist, and Wrap up. Adaptable for any grade level.

Common Core State Standards Content Areas English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)History Reading Science Social Studies TEKS

The Four Reading Comprehension Strategies of Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR)

by Emily Horn November 2, 2023

written by Emily Horn

What is CSR?

CSR is a cooperative learning approach that can be used in any grade level and with students of varied reading levels and abilities. It’s meant to primarily boost reading comprehension when it comes to expository and nonfiction texts, like for science and social studies. However, it can be used for narrative texts as well. CSR is an evidence-based approach where students work through the text together in small groups using four reading comprehension strategies before, during, and after reading:

Preview (before reading)
Click and Clunk (during reading)
Get the Gist (during reading)
Wrap It Up (after reading)

Explanations of 4 Reading Strategies of CSR from IRIS Center — Screenshot by the author: The Iris Center, **Overview of the CSR Reading Strategies**

Getting Started with CSR

It’s important to note that before students begin using the CSR process in a group, they will need to learn and practice the four strategies on their own. Using a Gradual Release of Responsibility approach, you can introduce each reading comprehension strategy in a separate mini-lesson, modeling it for the class. Then, students can practice the strategy with a partner or in a small group. Once they’ve got the strategy with guided support, they can begin to practice it on their own until they are ready to use the strategy cooperatively.

Materials Needed for CSR:

Learning Log: A graphic organizer where students make notes throughout the process.
Cue Cards: Prompts for the different roles in the groups to use.
Clunk Cards: Four “fix-up” strategies for students to use if they reach a roadblock.
Timer (optional)

Here are some great free CSR materials, complete with cue cards, clunk cards, and a learning log, available for download from IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University. Also, they provide role cards with explanations for each student’s role in the group.

IRIS Center Leader Cue Card for CSR tasks — Screenshot by the author: Example Leader Cue Cards from IRIS Center’s Free **Materials for CSR**

Student Roles:

Each group member is given a specific role, so all students in the group are responsible for a task. Potential student roles (depending on group sizes) are:

Leader
Gist Expert
Announcer
Timekeeper
Clunk Expert
Encourager
Reporter

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the four reading comprehension strategies that make up this approach!

The Four Reading Comprehension Strategies

1. Preview

Example Preview section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

During the text preview, students work together for a short period to look at important text features like headings, subheadings, bolded words, charts, graphs, images, etc. The purpose of the preview is to activate students’ prior knowledge and get them to ask questions, make predictions, and boost their curiosity on the topic. During this time, the teacher can walk around and ask each group about their observations, predictions, and questions regarding the text. Helpful prompts for students (that can be included in a learning log graphic organizer) might be:

What knowledge do you already have on this topic?
What do you expect or hope to learn?
What questions do you have on this topic?

IRIS Center suggests giving students 12 minutes for this reading comprehension strategy. Once they’ve shared with the group and completed the “Preview” section of the learning log, it’s time to share with the class.

2. Click and Clunk

CSR Clunks & Gists Strategy - Learning Log — Example Clunks and Gists section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

During this part of CSR, students begin reading a section of the text and monitoring their comprehension. This means students are using metacognition (thinking about thinking) to check their understanding as they move through the text. “Clicks” are parts of the text that the readers understand. “Clunks” are aspects of the text that readers find to be roadblocks to understanding, like unknown words or concepts.

Monitoring comprehension builds confidence and independence when it comes to reading. Working on this in a group can push students who may not usually stop to explore “clunks” to do so, resulting in increased reading comprehension. After reading a pre-determined section (a paragraph, a few paragraphs, or a page, for example), the students go over clicks and clunks. After identifying the “clunks”, the Clunk Expert can guide the group in the following reading comprehension strategies:

Reread the sentence with the clunk and look for key ideas to help you figure out the word. Think about what makes sense.

Reread the sentences before and after the clunk, looking for clues.

Look for a prefix, root word, or suffix that might help.

Break the word apart and look for smaller words that you know.

“Toward a Humanistic Instruction: Collaborative Strategic Reading Approach and EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension”

3. Get the Gist

After previewing the text, identifying clicks and clunks, and working through clunks, students begin to identify the main ideas of the predetermined sections of text together to demonstrate reading comprehension. This is a summarizing activity that gets students to restate what they read in their own words (IRIS Center suggests 10 or fewer words) without getting too detailed. CALIReads suggests students follow three steps:

Name the who or the what.
Tell the most important thing about the who or the what.
Say it in about 10 words.

Get the Gist is a great retelling reading comprehension strategy that allows students to recall important information from the text and summarize it, which solidifies their learning.

4. Wrap Up

Example Wrap Up section of the CSR Learning Log created by the author (provided at the end of the article).

In this final step, students work with their group to come up with questions and correlating answers about the reading. They can think about “who, what, where, when, why, and how,” and they can speculate as to what questions a teacher might ask about the text. If needed, question stems can help prompt students to form deeper questions. After noting questions in their learning logs, they share them with their group and answer the questions together, writing down and reviewing what they learned.

CSR Learning Log Editable Template — Created by the author: Access the **editable template**.

This cooperative learning approach to content-based reading can boost comprehension of everything from textbook chapters to nonfiction articles and more. Can you picture using CSR in your classroom? If you introduce these strategies to your students, let us know how it goes! We’d love to hear about your results.

November 2, 2023 0 comments

Explaining the difference between "hypothesis" and "theory" - Created with Supermeme.ai

AI/VR English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)History Math Science Social Studies Writing

AI Meme Generators and Classroom Activities

by Miguel Guhlin September 28, 2023

written by Miguel Guhlin

Did you know that students make sense of visuals faster than text? That is, when processing image and text data at the same time, visuals get processed sixty thousand times faster (source). Student-created digital media results in greater gains. That means that student-generated visuals can impact learning and achievement. You already know how powerful infographics and graphs are. Today, AI tools can create even more engaging images with text. One way to do that? Memes. Let’s take a closer look at meme creation tools and activities using memes in the classroom.

Memes generated by the author using Simplified.com.

What does the research say?

“Images evoke and enrich complex meanings. These meanings are otherwise linguistically inexpressible,” says the Visible Learning Meta X database. This is a rich database of effective instructional strategies based on the research of John Hattie. Visuals are rated as having an effect size of 0.55. If .40 is an average year’s growth, images have the potential to speed up learning.

What are memes?

Memes can represent ideas, values, or behaviors that are contagious. Pair quotes with pop culture images and you get a shareable meme. Meme quote generators help students engage in language play, deepen their experiences with interpretation, reasoning, and inferential thinking.

How to Create Memes

The old-fashioned way of creating memes includes using meme generator tools. These work great for students, allowing them to combine quotes with existing images. Some tools I’ve relied on to create memes include:

But, there are now new tools that make meme creation easier using AI. These meme-generation tools focus students on the text rather than the image. Let’s explore some AI meme generators.

AI Meme Generators

Some AI meme generators you can use for free include the following. But, some will require you to create an account using Google or an email address.

Now that you have some AI meme generators, let’s jump to a few activities. I invite you to add your own ideas in the comments!

Classroom Activities with Memes

Activity #1: Classroom Debates

Meme illustrating how memes can be used for debate in class.

Debates about tough topics offer rich opportunities for developing student content knowledge, literacy, and civility. For example, “Should I risk my sanity by giving my 12-year-old a cell phone?” is current and relevant. What’s more, it allows students to apply critical thinking approaches when considering the merits of smartphones for minors. Students also get to explore legal issues, social media, and more. All are topics that can be tied into math, science, and social studies.

Debating is an often under-utilized approach in the classroom. At least, debating in a civil manner.

Classroom debates help students learn through friendly competition, examine controversial topics and “strengthen skills in the areas of leadership, interpersonal influence, teambuilding, group problem solving, and oral presentation” (Leuser, n.d., para. 1 as cited by source).

You could have students do any of the following:

Articulate the rules of debate
Organize their points as a series of memes representing their perspective
Create memes that are opposite to a competing perspective

Students could then organize debates as a series of images addressing key topics. The topics would have been identified prior to the debate. Students could also assess the efficacy of memes generated in convincing (or not) the audience.

Activity #2: Vocabulary Development

Clarifying terms and vocabulary in a new lesson can be difficult. That’s true no matter whether you are a language learner, math, or science student. How do you capture the essence of a vocabulary term in such a way as to make it easier to understand? One way is to create a meme that represents that word.

Meme with a bear illustrating a classroom activity on vocabulary

You can combine memes with Frayer Models, as well as concept sorts, to define and organize terms. In fact, in science, drawing a picture of what a word means could be the first step in better defining it.

Activity #3: Conveying a PBL Stakeholder Perspective

When starting a problem-based learning unit, one of the first steps involves identifying stakeholders. These are the perspectives that vie for attention and resources in a real-life problem. In a community where a landfill is being built, you could have a variety of stakeholders. Those could include:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Public
Community Residents and Businesses near the landfill
Landfill operator
Landowner
City
Media
Government Department

How would you represent the perspective of each in a single sentence or meme? How might students take recycling into account in the local community?

Meme will seagulls illustrating how memes can be used in science class to express difference views on recycling.

The Power of AI Meme Generators

Memes empower learners to create content that looks amazing with minimal, mechanical expenditure. That is, instead of spending time surfing the web trying to find images, AI meme generators make it easy to combine picture and student-generated text in memorable ways. Have other ideas for ways to use memes in the classroom? Please share them with us in the comments!

September 28, 2023 0 comments

English Language Arts Reading (ELAR)ESL/ELL Good Teaching Reading Science Social Studies

TCEA Responds: Engaging ELLs with Guided Notes

by Miguel Guhlin September 5, 2023

written by Miguel Guhlin

Dear TCEA Responds:

I don’t understand guided notes. It’s like fill in the blank notes with the answers given. Are there some digital tools that can help me make guided notes? I teach emergent language learners.
-Mario

What are guided notes?

Thanks so much for your question. As you mention, guided notes appear as “fill in the blank” to students. They offer students certain information on the content and require them to fill in information during learning. And, you can pair research-based instructional strategies like these with them:

The Teacher Toolkit describes them in this way (adapted for readability):

Guided Notes are teacher-prepared handouts. They outline lectures, audiovisual presentations, or readings. The teacher leaves blank space for students to fill in key concepts, facts, etc.

Guided Notes promote active engagement during lecture or independent reading. They provide full and accurate notes for use as a study guide. Guided Notes also help students to identify the most important information covered

Let’s explore guided notes a bit more. From my perspective as an ESL teacher, they are a type of cloze activity. For fun, keep this printable document handy. You can take notes on it as you read this article!

What instructional strategy is behind guided notes?

Wondering which key instructional strategy is behind guided notes? The answer is Outlining and Summarizing, which enjoys an effect size of 0.62. The Visible Learning Meta X database describes this strategy as one that:

Involves identifying the main ideas and rendering them in one’s own words. The core skill is being able to distinguish between the main ideas and the supporting ideas.

ELLs and Guided Notes

Emerging language learners face many challenges when note-taking, among them:

Grammar and spelling mistakes
Use of abbreviations
Disorganization
Inability to connect or interpret new information to existing knowledge (source)

Teachers rely on guided notes when language learners need to:

Focus on vocabulary and concept comprehension, rather than grammar and structure
Process new information
Write well in the target language under the pressure of time
Identify main ideas and supporting details

Let’s take a closer look at this strategy you can use with your students.

Digging Into the Research

A 2020 review of guided notes instructional strategy research reveals the following salient points about guided notes and student learning.

Point #1: There are a variety of formats.

Formats include:

Google Docs with partially-completed outlines
fill-in-the-blank outlines on printed PowerPoint slides
Paper versions of partially completed outlines
Partially completed PowerPoint slides
Notes with metacognitive guidance

Point #2: Improve Engagement

Researchers have found that students with guided notes participated more in class and supported student achievement. Student brains are engaged when actively constructing knowledge. Guided notes promote generative learning because they enable students to “focus more of their cognitive energy on higher-order thinking and learning.” Guided notes also address potential issues with students’ imperfect note-taking strategies.

Point #3: Positively Impact Quiz Scores

Several studies show that guided notes incorporating diagrams, pictures, blanks, spaces, and tables had more impact than plain note-taking. Positive effects were shown and resulted in quizzes with 10% higher scores. What’s more, 36% more accurate notes were taken with guided notes.

Students reported that they preferred guided notes to the alternative (no notes or taking notes themselves). Students “outperformed” those without guided notes. Students with “graphic organizers outperformed students with guided notes or no notes.”

An overview of the benefits:

Reduces cognitive load on students
Increases participation since students are more likely to ask questions and participate in class discussions
Provides transparency as to what is important and to be assessed
Facilitates note-taking and study skills for students (source)

How to Create Guided Notes

A daunting aspect of creating guided notes? You have to know what you are going to be covering in a presentation. Some suggestions:

Create your set of complete notes.
Review your notes and underline/highlight key vocabulary and concepts.
Leave space for diagrams, concept maps, tables, and charts.
Replace the vocabulary and concepts with blanks for students to fill in.

Before you expect students to use guided notes in the classroom, make sure to model their use first. You can find several video tutorials and template sites for creating guided notes with Google tools. Here’s one way to do it with tables in Google Docs.

John Sowash shares his approach to creating guided notes with Google Docs:

Here’s another walkthrough from Jan Parker for Google Slides:

Engaging Learners with Guided Notes

While guided notes represent a time investment up front for you as the teacher, they also ensure you and your students know what’s valued – that is, what important information will be shared, and what will be assessed. Since writing by hand engages students’ brains, then it is a worthwhile activity. Give it a try!

Bonus: Using AI

Another fun approach you can take is to rely on Claude.ai or ChatGPT 3.5 (both free) to create your guided notes. Keep your selections for guided notes short and to the point. Claude.ai allows you to attach a file in text or PDF so you don’t have to paste the content directly into the chat box. Type up your prompt, then attach the file with your outline or content.

Sample Prompt: Create guided notes for the following text:

Double Bonus: Digital Tools

Digital Tool #1: Hot Potatoes

Check out the free, download, Hot Potatoes. It makes it easy to create a variety of activities on MS Windows computers.

Digital Tool #2: Cloze Test Online

Create a cloze passage with this free, web-based tool. You copy and paste your content in, and it allows you to create a cloze passage.

Digital Tool #3: Guided-Notes Maker

With this digital tool, the creation of blank spaces is easy. Highlight one or more words and each selection appears in a red box. Learn more about this online.

Digital Tool #4: Knowt.io

You can use Knowt to create guided notes (as well as a lot of other items). Give it a spin. Read how you can use Knowt in other ways.

Want to learn more?

Sign up now for TCEA Lunch and Learn: Outlining and Summarizing event on September 6. Outlining and Summarizing involves identifying the main ideas and rendering them in one’s own words. Come along and learn a few ways you can use these two powerful instructional strategies with students. Did you miss it? No worries, find a recording in the TCEA Community.

September 5, 2023 0 comments

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