Search results for

"classroom discussion"

Flipping Your Classroom

by Dr. Bruce Ellis February 4, 2016

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

With many teachers finding that flipping their classroom makes for more engaging lessons and discussions in class, it’s no wonder that it is one of the growing trends in education. Whether you teach early elementary, advanced academics in high school, or any level in between, you may find that it is a great fit for your class as well. Depending on the needs and maturity of your students, the tools you use can vary. What works for one grade level may not be the best match for another. As you evaluate tools for use in your flipped lesson cycle, consider the following questions:

Is this tool free for my students to use, user-friendly, and customizable to best fit their learning needs?
Does the tool offer me (as the teacher) a variety of ways of interacting with the students, such as a quick feedback loop, data collection options through quizzes, and ways to extend and/or differentiate the information for students who need additional (or different) information?
If the tool uses videos, which platform can it pull from (YouTube, Google Drive, Vimeo, etc.)? And, do my students have access to that platform?

Now that you have several questions to help you evaluate flipped tools, let’s take a look at several. Below are a few of my favorite to recommend. These have a fairly simple learning curve for the teacher and have some nice features that you can take advantage of for free.

YouTube Editor – Record and edit right within YouTube. You can add simple transitions, background audio (already curated for you), and even intros and outros…if you want to get fancy. When you are done, you can save it to your YouTube account and share it as needed. [Tutorial Video]
Screencast-o-matic – This handy utility is great for creating simple screencasts. You have the option to screencast from a web-based tool or download a small utility file that runs on your computer. [Tutorial Videos]
EdPuzzle – Pull from a variety of video sources and create interaction throughout your video…or copy lessons that other EdPuzzle users have created and tweak to meet your students’ needs. [Tutorial Videos]
TubeChop – If you just want your students to watch a video but want to trim it to a specific section, TubeChop is your answer. Once you “chop” the video, you’ll get a TubeChop URL to share with your students. [Tutorial Video]
VideoNotes – This tool is great for secondary students! Create a file that has the YouTube video on the left-hand side and a simple notetaking section on the right-hand side. Students take notes while they watch the video…and it even syncs their notes to the location of the video at the time of typing! And, it connects with Google Drive making their work shareable. [Tutorial Video]
Movenote EDU – Get fancy when flipping your lesson by creating your own picture-in-picture video that allows you to show images, MS Office files, and PDFs. Once shared, the students can watch and download all the documents as a single PDF. [Tutorial Video]
Renderforest – Make your introductory videos look even more professional with this free resource. Registration is required.

Other tools to investigate might include: PresentationTube, OfficeMix, Camtasia Studio, Doceri, Explain Everything, Educreations, or TouchCast.

Regardless of which tool you use, remember to keep it focused on the learning objective. Lastly, consider your audience when determining the length of your videos. It’s better to have several smaller videos (2-5 minutes each) rather than one long, 15-minute video. With these tools and your teaching skills, you are sure to create engaging lessons that make flipping your classroom a success!

This blog was updated with additional resources on August 8, 2017.

February 4, 2016 0 comment

PBL Your STEM Projects

by Miguel Guhlin March 25, 2019

written by Miguel Guhlin

Looking for exciting ways to engage your students? Combine what you know of Do It Yourself (DIY) STEM activities with project-based learning (PBL). In this blog entry, we’ll explore some great STEM ideas and then blend those into an engaging problem. Before we do that, allow me to introduce you to two book authors.

Introducing Simple Steam

Watching webinars can be a bit tedious. But I didn’t feel that way at all as I hung on every word of one speaker. As I struggled to multi-task, balancing work projects, I listened. What hooked me? The exciting possibility that STEM need not be complex. Wouldn’t that be an amazing possibility?

The webinar speaker referenced Debby Mitchell and Marnie Forestieri’s book Simple Steam: 50+ Science Technology Engineering Art and Math Activities for Ages 3 to 6. In the book, there are a variety of STEM projects geared for younger students. As I read about them, it occurred to me there was a road map to making them even more engaging.

Creating Engaging Learning

To create engaging learning opportunities, you can take advantage of many strategies. Engaged learning, research shows, increases their attention and focus. One engagement strategy involves leading dynamic discussions. John Hattie, oft-cited for Visible Learning, found classroom discussion quite important because it has an effect size that exceeds the “hinge point.” The hinge point refers to a students’ year of growth in the same amount of time. With a 0.82 effect size, a student has the potential of two years academic growth in half the time. All this from “meaningful classroom discussion,” says Maggie Bruski.

The question is, “How do YOU craft engaging classroom discussions?” The answer is that you PBL the dickens out of them.

PBLing Your STEM Lesson

Let’s examine how this might happen. We’ll rely on Mitchell and Forestieri’s book examples to start. The steps are straightforward:

Step 1: Craft a Problem Narrative

Problem-based learning (PBL) uses real-life problems. Model these after a contemporary or historical case (e.g. use of airdrops to deliver supplies). This engages students as they pursue specified learning outcomes aligned to academic standards or course objectives. Four questions I ask when formulating a problem include:

What do we want them to learn?
Why is it important they learn this?
What problems or issues would they be able to resolve with the information?
What process do we want them to follow?

Example:

In Simple STEAM, one project involves students learning key concepts about air resistance, force, gravity, and mass. A potential problem narrative go this way:

“Help us please! Without the vaccines in those crates, people will die of the infection.” Five operatives race up the stairs. They have a difficult task ahead of them and everything hinges on their work. The fire is spreading, too fast to stop, and forcing them up. The arsonists have blocked the way down. City fire and police are too overwhelmed to help. They reach the roof of the building, a few doctors and nurses milling around in panic.

The last cases of the anti-virus wait for helicopter pickup, but no helicopters are coming. They must think up a different way to get the crates of vaccine down from the skyscraper. But how? Number Three thumbs the mic on the team talkie to contact the team on the ground.

Then, Number One sees some supply closets. Desperate hope rises as she thinks. Number Two smiles. “Then, it falls, a flower on the wind.” They get to work.

Step 2: Identify PBL Stakeholders and Hunches

pbl Once students are engaged in the problem, they begin to write down their hunches about it. They will need to identify with a stakeholder. It may seem like there is only one stakeholder in this scenario, but you can see several more, right?

This is an important action. After introducing the problem, it determines what happens next. You can say to students the following in regards to the stakeholders in the problem:

“To help them, let’s share what our hunches are, that is, our best guesses about three things. The first is this situation. The second is what we know based on a reading of the text. The third is what we need to know to help the person/people in this situation. What guesses can we make about what is happening in the story?”

We want to collect these hunches so that all students can see them, then move to asking questions. The focus of questions is to identify other questions about what we know and what we need to know to help the stakeholders. One approach for accomplishing this is the use of a KWHL chart:

Know – What do we know based on our reading of the problem? (K)
What – What do we want to know about this? (W)
How – How are we going to find this out? (H)
Learned – And, after the activity has moved on, what have we learned about this problem?

Inquiry and investigation builds a basis for students to design a solution product.

Step 3: Bins or Baggies

Cluster materials in bins or baggies depending on how much scaffolding students need to get started. Point older students at a collection of bins; provide younger learners with a baggie. Student will soon find themselves working through the problem as a stakeholder.

Your job as the teacher is to act as a guide as students explore the issues. Their job will involve formulating questions, conducting research, and making observations. They will then engage in rapid prototyping (solution development and testing). In the end, they will recommend a solution.

Example:

Students have several options to solve this problem. You can steer them in one direction (the use of parachutes). Make materials available such as a plastic grocery bag, string, and various “crates.” These could be multi-sized plastic containers with a lid so you can adjust item quantity. More items result in a heavier weight. Depending on the age, students could figure out what their parachutes can best support.

Technology Connection

As students design their parachute, have them document the results. This can involve pictures and video. After each test, students can chart the rates of descent in seconds for each of the different objects. Then test their solutions against a “standard” set of objects to see if they work. Have students report their observations via Seesaw. Set up tests using green screen technology to simulate a towering inferno or news reports from the scene. Students can present alternative news perspectives. This could involve arsonists or virus-infected individuals waiting for the cure.

PBL Your STEM Projects

As you can see, PBLing your STEM project involves some clever storytelling. You can blend various technologies to deepen the fiction and the storytelling.

March 25, 2019 0 comment

Educational Research

Research-Based Strategies: Part 2

by Lori Gracey October 12, 2018

written by Lori Gracey

Knowing exactly what to do to improve student learning is difficult today. There are more than 250 recognized strategies for accelerating learning, but not all of them provide the best results. So as a classroom teacher or district leader, how can you decide which ones to spend previous time on?

Hattie to the Rescue!

As we discussed in the previous blog, John Hattie has examined more than 80,000 different research studies involving more than 300 million students in order to determine what specific, measurable, and relevant strategies educators should be spending time on. He’s then ranked the strategies from most productive to least (or even negatively impacting learning) based on their effect size. (As a reminder, the bigger the effect size, the greater the impact that particular strategy will have on students. An effect size of 0.4 or greater means that the strategy will cause a significant, positive impact on learning. So we need to seek out those strategies whose effect size is greater than 0.4.)

After all of his study, Hattie found that there were nine different strategies that schools could implement with no additional funding (generally) that would, if implemented correctly, dramatically accelerate student learning. We’re going to count down each one over the next few blogs and see if technology can add value to each strategy.

Strategy Number 9: Classroom Discussion

research-based strategies

Classroom discussion has an effect size of 0.82, which is more than twice what we need to know that a specific strategy will make a difference in learning. Hattie defines classroom discussion as “a method of teaching that involves the entire class in a discussion. The teacher stops lecturing and students get together as a class to discuss an important issue.” The key points are that all students in the class take part in the discussion, whether it is in person or online; that the teacher is silent; and that the issue(s) being discussed matters to the students. In order to involve all, the students must feel safe and unjudged before they will venture an opinion. This site has some great ideas on how to make this happen, along with specific things for the teacher to do before, during, and after a class discussion. You can also find different ways to do classroom discussions here.

There are a number of technology tools that can help facilitate classroom discussions. What makes these work especially well is that again, the students are the ones responding while the teacher simply facilitates the conversation:

Flipgrid (video comments by students)
Google Classroom
Google Hangouts
Microsoft Teams
Skype
Twitter

Strategy Number 8: Micro-Teaching/Video Review of Lessons

With an effect size of 0.88, this strategy again packs a punch. What is important to realize about it from the start is that, unlike strategy number 9, this one is all about the teacher. He/She is video recorded presenting a mini-lesson. The lesson is then reviewed by the teacher and/or a coach or supervisor in order to improve the teaching and learning experience. Just as all of us are surprised when we hear our own voice for the first time, seeing ourselves teach can also bring powerful revelations. Unlike when a teacher is being evaluated by an administrator, however, having the lesson video taped allows for him/her to go back and review the actions in question over and over again, as well as those teaching moments that worked well. It allows for greater reflection and growth over time.

To be most effective, the discussion as the teacher and a peer watch the video should center around specific, viewable behaviors/actions, some of which may have been designated before the lesson was taught. The peer must facilitate the conversation so that the teacher draws his/her own conclusions and is not just told what to improve by the peer coach. At the end, the teacher should select one area to work on improving for the next few weeks.

Technical aspects of the video are much less important than the analysis, which allows teachers to get a microscope-view on their own teaching. So you don’t have to worry about being able to or taking the time to edit it.

You can see a good example of an elementary school micro-teaching video here and a secondary one here. Ideally, micro-teaching lessons should be short (less than 15 minutes is perfect) and should have the students acting as they normally would with no advance preparation or practicing.

As far as how technology can enhance this strategy, any cell phone with a camera is all that’s really needed. Again, the quality of the video is not what matters, only that the teacher can watch him/herself teach the lesson and reflect on what is good or needs improvement in it.

What’s Next

In the next blog, to be published on Oct. 16, we’ll look at two more “bang for your buck” strategies: teacher credibility and conceptual change programs. And if you think this topic has value for your teachers or school leaders, please allow me to come out and work with them to implement these proven approaches with your students. You can email me at lgracey@tcea.org.

October 12, 2018 2 comments

ELAR English Language Arts ESL/ELL

SIOP Model and Digital Tools

by Miguel Guhlin October 23, 2024

written by Miguel Guhlin

How do you integrate language and content instruction? One established approach is the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) model. Let’s see how SIOP phases align with different learning intentions and instructional strategies and discover digital tools to support your teaching.

A Quick Overview of the SIOP Model

Let’s take a moment to review key areas of the SIOP model. The authors (Echevarria, Vogt, Short) designed it to support English language learners (ELLs). The SIOP model has eight inter-related components. Those components include the following:

Lesson preparation. Teachers create lessons that include content and language objectives.
Building background. This involves connecting new concepts to students’ personal experiences and prior knowledge.
Comprehensible input. Teachers use a variety of techniques to make content easy to understand for learners. These can include speaking in a clear way, using visuals, and hands-on activities.
Strategies. These strategies include teaching and modeling learning strategies to help students process and retain information.
Interaction. This involves giving students opportunities to practice language skills in a safe, supportive environment.

Below is a diagram I made to capture my understanding of the SIOP model (view full-size | get a copy):

Benefits of the SIOP Model

Many benefits have been ascribed to the SIOP model. You can find a round-up of them online at Jana Echevarria’s website. Here are a few:

Gains in academic achievement (source)
Development of personal and academic language skills (source)
Active participation and increased engagement
Differentiation aligned to students’ diverse needs and proficiency levels

What’s more, the SIOP model is often a go-to approach for supporting language learners. Echevarria makes the following point on her website linked above:

…SIOP instruction is making a positive learning difference for multilingual learners and other students who are in the classrooms. Teachers can learn to implement the model to a high degree with ongoing PD and support. No one is disadvantaged by SIOP instruction; rather, the focus on academic literacy and scaffolded instruction helps all students learn academic English and grade-level, content curricula better (source).

Now that you have a clear understanding of the phases of the SIOP model, let’s explore how it aligns to learning intentions. I’m curious to connect it to Hattie’s Visible Learning as well as Mike Bell’s The Fundamentals of Teaching.

Understanding SIOP Phases and Learning Intentions

As you may recall, learning intentions refer to what your intent is for students to learn. Having an awareness of your learning intensions, as well as what phase of learning students are in, can be useful. It’s useful because it enables you and students to choose specific high-effect instructional strategies. These strategies are often grouped according to three phases of learning:

Surface learning
Deep learning
Transfer learning

John Hattie points out the following when choosing what strategy works best to impact learning:

“What and when are equally important when it comes to instruction that has an impact on learning. Approaches that facilitate students’ surface-level learning do not work equally well for deep learning, and vice versa. Matching the right approach with the appropriate phase of learning is the critical lesson to be learned.”

With this in mind, it’s important to match high-effect size instructional strategies to the appropriate phase of learning students are in. To determine what phase of learning students are in, you will want to take advantage of formative assessments. What’s more, being aware of what your learning intention is for students can inform your next steps. Let’s briefly explore these points aligned to the SIOP model.

Lesson Preparation: Building the Foundation

“I use Quizlet to create interactive flashcards for key terms. It’s a game-changer for vocabulary retention!” says Mrs. Johnson, a 5th-grade teacher. In this initial phase, focus on surface learning through direct instruction and vocabulary programs. Both direct instruction and vocabulary programs are appropriate to use in this phase of learning (Surface Learning).

Surface learning is important because it is a critical step towards transfer learning:

…the process of developing sufficient surface knowledge to then move to deeper understanding such that one can appropriately transfer this learning to new tasks and situations. (Source: Hattie, Fisher, Frey in Visible Learning for Literacy)

To assist students in connecting the dots, it’s important to consider students’ prior knowledge. As Mike Bell, The Fundamentals of Teaching, puts it, “No one can learn anything if they cannot link it to something they already know.” On his website, Bell quotes psychologist David Ausubel:

If I had to reduce all of educational psychology to just one principle, I would say this: The most important single factor influencing learning is what the learner already knows. Ascertain this and teach him accordingly.

David Ausubel as cited

Our theory of the world, also known as our “schema,” is what makes up our prior knowledge. It is so important that Mike Bell enshrines it as the first step in his five step teaching approach. He encourages teachers to assess prior knowledge, as well as fill in missing knowledge.

Did You Know?
You can watch a TCEA Lunch and Learn on Prior Knowledge via the TCEA Community. Follow this link, then enter your login credentials to access. Not a TCEA member yet? Join.

A part of presenting new material (step two in his five-step process) involves linking new information to prior knowledge, using advance organizers, and connecting the abstract to the concrete. To put it simply, it involves connecting the dots.

Building Background: Connecting the Dots

“I love using Mindmeister for collaborative mind mapping,” says Mr. Rodriguez, a high school history teacher. “It helps students visualize connections between new concepts and what they already know.” In Mike Bell’s book, The Fundamentals of Teaching, memory is explained as a link to component parts of that memory. The component parts include our emotions, colors, shapes, tactile feelings. The network of links is the schema.

If some of the new concepts are held in long-term memory, “it takes less space in working memory.” You can see how someone can liken the responsibilities of a president to that of a parental guardian.

Mnemonics and integrating prior knowledge are crucial here. A key component is connecting the dots through graphical organizers, modelled and worked examples, as well as meta-cognitive tasks. Students can use graphic organizers and modeled examples to better understand and retain new information. They do this when they link new concepts to what they already know. This approach also enhances metacognitive skills. It helps them become more aware of their thinking.

As you can imagine, the SIOP model seeks to encompass this cognitive work. It covers critical steps of learning, such as:

Activating and assessing prior knowledge
Presenting new knowledge
Setting challenging tasks that involve collaboration, thinking, and examples
Providing feedback to learners for improvement, as well as questioning
Spaced repetition and deliberate practice

Connecting the dots takes advantage of several strategies that encouraging making connections. Those connections happen between prior and new knowledge, which lays the groundwork for deep learning phase of learning.

SIOP Phase with Learning Intention

Take a look at this chart and how it matches SIOP model phases with learning intentions, strategies, and digital tools.

SIOP Phase	Learning Intention	Instructional Strategies	Digital Tools	Example
Lesson Preparation	Surface Learning	Direct Instruction (.56), Vocabulary Programs (.62)	Quizlet, Kahoot	Using Quizlet to create flashcards for key vocabulary terms
Building Background	Surface Learning	Mnemonics (.65), Integrate with Prior Knowledge (.93)	Padlet, yED Live, Cmap Tools	Creating a mind map on yEd Live to connect new concepts with prior knowledge
Comprehensible Input	Surface Learning	Repeated Reading Programs (.80), Questioning (.49)	Newsela, Edpuzzle	Using Edpuzzle to embed comprehension questions in a video lesson
Strategies	Deep Learning	Metacognition Strategies (.52), Critical Thinking (.84)	Padlet Video Recording, Socrative	Students using video to explain their problem-solving process
Interaction	Deep Learning	Classroom Discussion (.82), Reciprocal Teaching (.74)	Zoom breakout rooms, Canva Whiteboard, Miro	Facilitating small group discussions in Zoom breakout rooms using a collaborative whiteboard
Practice & Application	Transfer Learning	Problem-Solving Teaching (.68), Transfer Strategies (.86)	Scratch, Minecraft Education, Minetest	Students applying coding concepts learned in class to create a game in Scratch or virtual world in Minetest
Lesson Delivery	Deep Learning	Elaboration and organization (.75), Concept Mapping (.62)	Pear Deck, Nearpod	Using Pear Deck to create interactive presentations with embedded formative assessments
Review & Assessment	Transfer Learning	Self-Reported Grades (1.33), Self-Judgement and Reflection (.81)	Google Forms, Seesaw	Students reflecting on their learning progress using a digital portfolio in Seesaw

Comprehensible Input: Ensuring Understanding

Repeated reading programs and strategic questioning enhance comprehension. Consider using Edpuzzle to embed questions in video lessons, promoting active engagement with content. Comprehensible input is a concept first suggested by Stephen Krashen. It exposes students to linguistic input slightly above their current language level (i+1). The reason for this is that i+1 allows learners to understand the new input. Strategic questioning can scaffold this process.

Use strategic questioning to do the following:

Get responses from students at their current level and slightly beyond. For example, a current level question might be, “What is the main character’s name?” An i+1 example might be “How might the main character’s actions influence the story’s outcome?”
Tailor questions to target specific language structures or vocabulary. For teaching past tense, an example might be “What did the protagonist do after he discovered the secret door?”
Ensure that question complexity is adjusted to ensure input remains at the optimal i+1 level. To adjust a question’s complexity, go from simple to complex. For example, shift from “Can you describe the setting of the story?” to “How does the setting contribute to the overall mood of the narrative?”

Both strategies (repeated reading and strategic questioning) can be useful in ensuring understanding.

Diving Deeper: Strategies and Interaction

Fostering Critical Thinking

Metacognitive strategies and critical thinking activities are key for deep learning. “I use Padlet Video to have students explain their problem-solving process. It’s amazing to see their metacognition in action!” says middle school science teacher, Ms. Lee. To encourage metacognition, consider using check-ins to enhance learning. According to Schraw (1998 as cited), checking in stimulates learners’ self-reflection on their own understanding. This, of course, leads to increased metacognitive awareness (source).

Promoting Meaningful Interaction

Classroom discussions and reciprocal teaching strategies encourage student engagement. You can use Zoom breakout rooms for small group discussions and collaborative whiteboards for idea sharing.

Applying Knowledge: Practice and Transfer

In applying knowledge phase, students are expected to apply what they have learned to new situations. In transfer learning, students apply what has been learned to novel situations. This may involve metacognition, collaboration, and problem-solving. This can be done in a variety of ways, including:

“Building virtual worlds has been fantastic for my students to apply coding concepts in a creative way,” notes Mr. Thompson, a technology integration specialist. One example could involve using virtual world building through Minetest or Minecraft. Other activities like story bins can also work well.

Stages of the Engineering Design Process

Public View Link | Template Link

Delivering Lessons and Assessing Progress

Facilitating lesson delivery often involves a dash of direct instruction, hands-on activities, classroom discussion. Through it all, the teacher is working to assess the level of understanding students have in the midst of a conversation.

Effective Lesson Delivery

Use elaboration, organization, and concept mapping to deepen understanding. Try Pear Deck for interactive presentations with embedded formative assessments. For example, when teaching photosynthesis, you can compare it to a factory taking in raw materials and outputting products:

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis as a process can be a model for making widgets in a factory:

As you can see, concept maps can assist students in connect new information in such a way as to facilitate deeper comprehension. The visual structure can make it easier for students to see relationships. Tools like Pear Deck can integrate concept maps into interactive presentations. When students make their own diagrams, the diagrams reveal gaps in understanding. Teachers can look at what’s missing from the students’ view of a concept. Then, they can work to provide experiences that enable the student to learn.

Review and Self-Assessment

“I use Seesaw for digital portfolios. It’s an excellent tool for students to track and reflect on their progress over time,” suggests one elementary school teacher. When considering review and self-assessment, other strategies are also helpful. Two include self-reported grades and reflection for transfer learning.

Let’s consider some guided activities and see how they connect to the SIOP model phases.

SIOP Model Activity Examples

Here are some activity examples that match a particular SIOP model phase.

Activity	Description	SIOP Phase
Vocabulary Bingo	Create digital bingo cards with key terms	Lesson Preparation
Concept Connection	Use mind mapping tools to link new and prior knowledge	Building Background
Video Quiz Creation	Embed questions in educational videos	Comprehensible Input
Think-Aloud Recordings	Have students record their problem-solving process	Strategies
Virtual Jigsaw	Assign topics to groups for research and presentation	Interaction
Real-World Application Project	Design projects applying learned concepts to real scenarios	Practice & Application
Interactive Lecture	Create engaging presentations with built-in assessments	Lesson Delivery
Learning Journal	Implement digital portfolios for ongoing reflection	Review & Assessment

Additional Resources

SIOP Model Overview: A comprehensive guide to the SIOP model (K-12, Higher Education)
Edutopia’s Technology Integration Guide: Strategies for effective tech integration in classrooms (K-12)
TCEA Courses on Digital Learning: Professional development opportunities for educators (K-12, Higher Education)

October 23, 2024 0 comment

10 Critical Thinking Skills for Elementary Students including Activities

Classroom Activities Content Areas Good Teaching Uncategorized

10 Critical Thinking Skills for Elementary Learners

by Sara Qualls October 4, 2024

written by Sara Qualls

As students dive into the complexities of the world, it’s crucial to equip elementary learners with strong critical thinking skills. One study shows that developing these skills can really boost students’ academic performance and problem-solving abilities.

When we foster these skills early, we’re setting up our young learners to analyze information, make smart decisions, and adapt to new situations with confidence and creativity. So, let’s jump in and check out some critical thinking skills activities that can help spark curiosity and strengthen these essential skills in elementary students!

Fostering Adaptability in Elementary School

Adaptability is the ability to embrace new ideas and adjust perspectives based on fresh evidence or insights.

Imagine being a superhero, using your powers to tackle various challenges—that’s the essence of adaptability! For young learners, developing this crucial skill helps them navigate new situations, embrace change, and recover from setbacks. As they learn to adjust their approaches, they build confidence and resilience that will benefit them throughout their lives. Here are some engaging activities designed to foster adaptability skills in elementary students.

Adaptability Activities for Elementary School

Flexible Schedule
Allow students to create their own schedule for a day or a week, but introduce changes along the way (e.g., shifting activities around). This helps them practice adjusting their plans and managing time effectively, giving them a realistic glimpse into daily life!

Team Building Games: Engage students in activities like or “Tower Building” with limited materials. As they work together, introduce new rules or challenges to see how they adapt their strategies.

Mystery Object
Present an object and ask students to come up with multiple uses for it. This fosters flexibility in thinking and encourages them to view challenges from different angles. You might be surprised by the imaginative solutions they come up with.

Bonus: Solo-Cup Engineering Challenge

Enhancing Analysis Skills in Elementary Students

Analysis is the ability to break down complex information into smaller parts, identifying patterns and relationships.

Imagine taking a complex puzzle and breaking it into manageable pieces—now that’s a skill to cherish! It’s all about spotting patterns and relationships that help clarify the big picture. For elementary learners, developing analysis and critical thinking skills is crucial; it empowers them to ask questions, solve problems, and think independently. Here are some fun activities designed to help young students build this essential, future-ready skill. Let’s jump in!

Analysis Activities for Elementary School

Story Mapping
Have students create a visual map of a story, identifying characters, setting, problem, and resolution. This helps them break down and analyze the narrative structure. Plus, it’s a creative way for them to visualize the story elements and see how they connect!

Compare and Contrast
Provide two similar books or stories and ask students to identify differences and similarities in themes, characters, and settings. They can use a Venn diagram to organize their thoughts. This activity not only sharpens their analytical skills but also encourages lively discussions about what makes each story unique. You can find tools to create your own Venn diagrams here.

Data Sorting
Use a simple dataset (like class survey results) and have students categorize the data, creating graphs or charts to represent their findings. This hands-on activity allows them to engage with real information, making analysis feel relevant and exciting!

Bonus: Make”Choose Your Own Adventure” Stories with Google Forms and AI

Collaborative Learning for Elementary Students

Collaboration is working effectively with others, sharing ideas, and integrating different perspectives to reach a common goal.

Imagine a group of young explorers navigating a treasure map together—that’s the essence of collaboration for elementary students! For young learners, developing collaboration skills is essential as it empowers them to communicate, share ideas, and build strong relationships. By fostering collaboration early on, students lay the groundwork for teamwork in future endeavors. Here are some impactful activities designed to cultivate collaboration skills in elementary learners.

Collaboration Activities for Elementary School

There are many ways to use story dice to promote creativity, writing skills, and more in the classroom.

Group Story Creation
Have students sit in a circle and collaboratively create a story, with each student contributing a sentence. This encourages them to listen to each other and build on ideas, fostering communication and teamwork. Try using Story Dice to engage your students.

Team Building Games
Organize simple team-building games, “Pass the Hula Hoop,” that require students to work together to achieve a goal. These activities promote trust and cooperation among classmates. A favorite activity from young learners to adults is Save Fred. Give it a go!

Collaborative Art Project
Provide a large piece of paper or canvas for a group art project where each student adds their own element. This encourages creativity and collaboration as they negotiate how to combine their ideas into a cohesive piece.

Bonus: Friendship Quilts Bring History, Math, and SEL Together

Building Communication Skills Early

Communication is the ability to convey ideas clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Imagine a group of young friends excitedly sharing their favorite stories—that’s the essence of communication for elementary students! For young learners, developing strong communication skills is essential as it empowers them to express their thoughts, collaborate with peers, and build relationships. By fostering communication skills early on, students lay a solid foundation for future academic and social success. Here are some impactful activities designed to cultivate communication skills in elementary learners.

Communication Activities for Elementary School

Show and Tell
Organize regular “Show and Tell” sessions where students bring in an item of personal significance and explain its importance to the class. This encourages them to practice speaking in front of others and articulating their thoughts clearly. Explore six communication games and activities for elementary students here.

Story Circle
Create a story circle where students take turns adding a sentence to a group story. This activity promotes listening skills and encourages them to build on each other’s ideas, enhancing their verbal communication.

Role-Playing
Have students engage in role-playing scenarios that mimic real-life situations, such as ordering food at a restaurant or interviewing for a job. This helps them practice conversational skills and learn how to communicate effectively in different contexts.

Bonus: 14 Editable SEL Check-In Templates

Nurturing Creativity in Young Minds

Creativity is the ability to generate original ideas and think outside the box, an essential skill for students as they navigate a rapidly changing world.

Imagine cultivating a garden of ideas where each student can plant their own unique vision—that’s the power of creativity! For elementary learners, fostering creativity means encouraging imaginative play and exploration. It empowers them to express their thoughts freely and develop problem-solving skills through innovative projects. Here are some engaging activities specifically designed to help elementary school students nurture this vital, future-ready skill. Let’s jump in!

Creativity Activities for Elementary School

Creative Storytelling
Provide students with a set of random images or objects and ask them to create a unique story connecting them. This activity enhances imagination and narrative skills, making it a fun way to develop storytelling abilities. Try the Emoji Writing Prompt generator for some added fun.

Invent a New Game
Challenge students to design a new game with specific rules and objectives. This encourages teamwork and creative thinking, allowing students to express their ideas in a playful context.

STEAM Projects
Integrate STEAM concepts into art by having students create projects that blend creativity with science and technology. For example, they can design a simple machine that performs a specific task using everyday materials or create art using coding platforms. For more inspiring ideas, check out this resource STEM-Tastic Activities.

Empowering Decision-Making in Students

Decision-making is weighing options and outcomes to make choices that align with goals and values.

Imagine being a captain, steering your ship through uncharted waters—that’s what decision-making is all about! For elementary learners, developing this skill is crucial as they begin to understand how to evaluate options and make thoughtful choices. As they practice decision-making, they learn to think critically, consider consequences, and build confidence in their decisions. Here are some engaging activities designed to foster decision-making skills in elementary students, helping them become empowered, thoughtful individuals ready for future challenges.

Decision-Making Activities for Elementary School

Learn 6 tips for encouraging quieter students to participate in classroom discussions.

Classroom Discussions
Initiate discussions about a story or topic where students must share their opinions and justify them. This encourages them to think critically about their perspectives. Worried about the quieter students? You can find tips here to help everyone participate!

Mystery Box
Place several items in a box and have students guess their purpose. They must explain their reasoning, which promotes observation and analytical skills. This hands-on activity makes decision-making fun and interactive.

What If Scenarios
Present hypothetical scenarios (e.g., “What if animals could talk?”) and have students discuss the implications. This activity fosters imaginative and critical thinking, allowing them to explore different outcomes and their effects. You can find 320 creative questions from Making English Fun to get started.

Evaluation Skills for Elementary Students

Evaluation is assessing the credibility of sources, arguments, and evidence to make informed judgments.

Imagine being a judge, carefully assessing options and making informed decisions—that’s the essence of evaluation! For elementary learners, developing this skill is key to understanding how to analyze information, weigh pros and cons, and make thoughtful choices. As they practice evaluating different scenarios, they boost their confidence and enhance their critical thinking abilities. Here are some engaging activities designed to foster evaluation skills in elementary students, helping them become discerning thinkers ready for future challenges.

Evaluation Activities for Elementary School

Two shelves with the seven book covers from the post on them.

Picture Books Comparison
Have students read two different picture books and evaluate the illustrations, themes, and messages. They can create a chart to compare their findings and share them with the class. This not only hones their evaluation skills but also promotes a love for reading!

Classroom Voting
Present a few ideas for a class project or theme and have students discuss the pros and cons of each. They can then vote, explaining their reasoning for their choice. This activity encourages critical thinking and helps them understand the decision-making process. Need a tool to help with your polling? Try one of these resources.

Product Reviews
Provide students with a simple product (like a toy or game) and have them evaluate its features, benefits, and drawbacks. They can create a poster or a short presentation to share their reviews. This fun activity allows them to practice articulating their evaluations in a creative way.

Inference Skills in Elementary Education

Inference is drawing logical conclusions based on available information and data, even when not all details are clear.

Imagine being a detective, piecing together clues to uncover hidden meanings—this is the essence of inference! It’s all about reading between the lines and drawing conclusions from evidence, which is crucial for navigating complex texts and situations. For young students, developing inference skills is essential; it boosts their confidence as readers and thinkers, helping them understand and engage with the world around them. Here are some engaging activities designed to spark their curiosity and strengthen this important skill.

Inference Activities for Elementary School

Picture Walk
Before diving into a book, take a picture walk! Have your students look at the illustrations and make predictions about the story based on visual clues. This engaging activity encourages them to discuss their inferences as they read, making the story come alive!

Story Predictions
Before finishing a story, ask students to predict the ending based on clues provided throughout the text. Encourage them to share their predictions and the evidence they used to support their inferences. This not only enhances their analytical skills but also fosters a deeper connection with the narrative.

Character Inference
Read a story and pause at key moments to ask students to infer what a character might be thinking or feeling based on their actions and dialogue. This activity helps them develop empathy and critical thinking as they consider different perspectives.

Problem-Solving for Elementary Schoolers

Problem-solving is the ability to develop strategies to tackle challenges, including identifying root causes and generating creative solutions.

Imagine facing a fun challenge and figuring out how to overcome it—that’s the heart of problem-solving! For younger students, developing this skill is key to navigating obstacles, thinking creatively, and building resilience. As they tackle simple problems, they gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment that lays the groundwork for future challenges. Here are some engaging activities designed to foster problem-solving skills in elementary learners.

Problem-Solving Activities for Elementary School

Example Google Forms for solving a digital breakout.

Puzzle Challenges
Provide students with a variety of puzzles (e.g., jigsaw, logic puzzles, digital breakouts or word searches) that require them to think critically to find solutions. This fun and interactive approach encourages them to collaborate and strategize. Check out these puzzle resources and digital breakouts for a quick start!

Math Word Problems
Create real-life scenarios that require students to use math to solve problems, encouraging them to identify the necessary steps to find a solution. This practical application of math not only sharpens their problem-solving skills but also helps them see the relevance of math in everyday life. You can find several examples of real-world math problems here.

Building Structures
Use materials like blocks or recycled items to challenge students to build a structure that meets specific criteria (e.g., height, stability). This hands-on activity fosters teamwork and creative problem-solving, allowing students to learn through trial and error as they bring their ideas to life.

Bonus: The Dump Truck-Incident: An Elementary Problem-Solving Challenge

Research Skills for Young Students

Research is the ability to gather information, analyze it critically, and draw informed conclusions.

Imagine a group of curious young detectives exploring their world, seeking answers to intriguing questions—that’s the essence of research for elementary students! For young learners, developing research skills is essential as it empowers them to seek knowledge, ask questions, and develop a love for learning. By fostering research skills early on, students build a strong foundation for future academic success. Here are some impactful activities designed to cultivate research skills in elementary learners.

Research Activities for Elementary School

Question of the Week
Present a new question each week related to a subject the class is studying. Have students research the answer using books, articles, and online resources, then present their findings to the class. This encourages curiosity and helps them practice gathering information.

Nature Journals
Encourage students to keep nature journals where they document observations about plants, animals, and the environment. They can research facts about their observations and incorporate the concepts of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) to structure their findings. This approach helps them analyze their observations and articulate their understanding more clearly.

Classroom News Report
Have students create a classroom news report about a recent event or topic they researched. They can include interviews, facts, and their opinions, helping them learn to synthesize information and present it in an engaging format.

Bonus: Resources to Teach Students about News Validity

Incorporating these critical thinking skills into elementary classrooms helps create a strong foundation for young learners. As they engage in activities that promote analysis and adaptability, students are better equipped to face future challenges with confidence. So, what types of activities are you using to foster critical thinking in your classroom? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

October 4, 2024 0 comment

ELAR English Language Arts Reading

Five Ways Educators Can Leverage Virtual Author Talks to Boost Literacy This School Year

by Miguel Guhlin August 8, 2024

written by Miguel Guhlin

Did you know that only 43% of children aged 8-18 enjoy reading? That number is down from 58% in 2016 (source). What’s more, both American 9- and 13-year-olds who read for fun on a daily basis has dropped to the lowest level since the mid-1980s (source). The good news is that virtual author talks offer a way to spark students’ interest in reading. Let’s explore a possible resource that can enhance literacy in classrooms. At the end of this blog, I’ll also remind you about AI narrated audiobooks that are currently available. What’s more, this blog will introduce you to a free-for-US-schools tool for human-narrated audio books.

Here are five ways educators can harness virtual author talks to enhance literacy in their classrooms this school year.

1. Integrate Author Talks into Your Curriculum

“How can educators effectively integrate author talks into their curriculum to maximize the benefits for their students?” you might ask. One way is to use services like BookBreak.org.

BookBreak is a platform created and developed by the industry-leading Library Speakers Consortium, which has many years of experience working with authors and publishers in delivering amazing online programs. It makes it easy to bring authors into the classroom and that can boost student engagement with literature:

Screenshot by author of The Library District, Las Vegas-Clark County — Screenshot by author of **The Library District, Las Vegas-Clark County**

“BookBreak brings 2-4 bestselling elementary and middle school authors to schools each month via live stream. Events are geared toward specific grade cohorts such as K-2nd, 3rd-5th and 6th-8th. Each grade level has the opportunity to hear from an age-appropriate author at least once per month throughout the school year. Recordings of the talks are also available on our platform. The live events are 10-15 minutes long for elementary school and 15 to 25 minutes long for middle school.”

Here are three ways to blend this software into your classwork:

Schedule author talks to coincide with relevant units in your language arts curriculum.
Use the author’s books as part of your reading assignments before the virtual visit.
Develop writing prompts inspired by the author’s work or writing style.

For example, a 5th-grade teacher at Edgewood ISD incorporated a virtual talk with a historical fiction author into their American Revolution unit. Students read one of the author’s books set in that era, then had the chance to ask the author about their research process and character development.

2. Foster A Range of Perspectives Through Author Selection

“By featuring authors from diverse backgrounds, we can ensure that students see themselves in the stories they read. This can foster a deeper connection and understanding of literary works.” Virtual platforms like BookBreak prioritize a wide range of voices and experiences:

Choose authors from various cultural backgrounds to reflect your student population.
Balance male and female authors throughout the year.
Include authors who write about diverse topics and themes.

A middle school English teacher at Edgewood ISD reported increased engagement from her students. This happened when they had the opportunity to interact with authors who shared their cultural backgrounds. “Seeing themselves represented in successful authors really motivated my students to pursue their own writing,” she noted.

Screenshot by author of Scholastic's Storyvoice website — Screenshot by author of **Scholastic’s Storyvoice website**

3. Use Pre- and Post-Talk Activities to Deepen Learning

Maximize the impact of virtual author talks by framing them with thoughtful activities:

Before the talk: Have students research the author and prepare questions. They can read excerpts or summaries of the book as well as other works to gain deeper insight. Character analysis can also be an important component.
During the talk: Guide students in taking notes on the author’s insights and advice. Handwritten notes, concept maps, graphic organizers can scaffold student thinking.
After the talk: Facilitate a class discussion about what they learned and how it applies to their own reading and writing.

Example: An elementary school librarian at Edgewood ISD created a “Meet the Author” bulletin board where students posted their favorite quotes and lessons from each virtual talk, creating a visual reminder of their literary connections.

Consider giving students a reverse outline or advance organizer that they can add to throughout the virtual talk. Some other ideas include:

Read aloud, then get feedback from others (Repeated Reading)
Discuss with others (Classroom Discussion, Reciprocal Teaching, Jigsaw Method)
Clarify vocabulary and meaning (Vocabulary Programs)
Jot down important ideas and information (Outlining, Summarization, Concept Mapping)
Annotate your text, write in the margins (Underlining and Highlighting)
Interrogate text (ask questions and make a quiz for Retrieval Practice)

Screenshot by author of Jefferson County Library District website — Screenshot by author of **Jefferson County Library District website**

4. Leverage Recording Features for Flexible Learning

“We’ve found that the recorded author talks on platforms…are just as valuable as the live events. They allow our teachers to revisit the content with their students, pause and rewind when needed, and even share with students who may have missed the live event. It’s been a game-changer for our district’s literacy initiatives,” says Brad CLoud, Director of Instructional Technology, Edgewood ISD. Virtual author talk platforms often offer recordings of their sessions. This makes it possible to do the following:

Use recorded talks as part of lesson plans.
Assign specific talks for independent work. This gives students time to engage with the content at their own pace.
Create a tailored list of author talks students can listen to for inspiration and research.

“Being able to view the author visits after the fact is crucial, as ALL teachers are busy and can’t always catch a visit in real time,” one user mentioned.

5. Extend the Impact Beyond the Classroom

One big benefit of virtual author talks? They facilitate collaboration between teachers and campuses. Consider these points:

Foster collaboration with other teachers to create cross-curricular projects.
Share highlights from the talks in school publications that engage parents with their children as they read.
Create displays featuring books by visiting virtual authors.

Some libraries may find that virtual book talks enhance their role as a collaborative learning space. These often enable them to set up author-themed reading corners. Those have the potential to become popular spots for students.

Leverage Virtual Author Talks to Boost Literacy

Use virtual author talks to enhance student literacy, engage interest, and encourage young readers. You may end up changing the reading statistics for the next generation with the power of author voices.

Supplemental Resources

Below you will find an AI-generated guided activities table, as well a curated list of virtual author talk platforms.

Guided Activities Table

Activity Name	Description	Teacher’s Role	Student Engagement	Learning Outcome
Author Bio Scavenger Hunt	Students research the visiting author and create a visual biography	Provide research guidelines and resources	Collaborative research and creative presentation	Improved research skills and author familiarity
Question Craft Workshop	Students learn to formulate thoughtful questions for the author	Guide students in developing open-ended questions	Peer review of questions	Enhanced critical thinking and inquiry skills
Virtual Book Club	Students read and discuss the author’s book prior to the talk	Facilitate discussions and provide reading prompts	Active participation in book discussions	Deeper comprehension and analysis of literature
Writing in the Author’s Style	Students create short pieces mimicking the author’s writing style	Analyze the author’s style with the class and provide writing prompts	Creative writing and peer feedback	Improved writing skills and style analysis
Post-Talk Reflection Journal	Students write about their takeaways from the author talk	Provide reflection prompts and feedback	Personal reflection and connection to their own reading/writing	Self-awareness of reading preferences and writing goals

Generated with Perplexity.AI

Virtual Author Talk Platforms

Title with Embedded URL to Website	Description	Pricing	Use Scenario
BookBreak	A platform that brings 2-4 bestselling authors to schools each month via live stream, catering to specific grade cohorts. It aims to ignite enthusiasm for reading and writing by providing comprehensive planning resources and ensuring diversity in featured authors.	Not explicitly stated, but offers free access to high-poverty schools when other schools join the program.	Ideal for schools looking to integrate author talks into their curriculum, especially those seeking to enhance literacy and engagement among students.
Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Virtual Author Talks	Offers free virtual author talks with critically-acclaimed writers, available for viewing from home. Past talks are archived for later access.	Free	Suitable for public libraries and individuals interested in attending virtual author talks from the comfort of their homes.
Storyvoice	Features live read-alouds by award-winning children’s authors and illustrators. The platform allows for interactive sessions and is accessible via share-screen or individual devices.	Not explicitly stated, but implies free access.	Ideal for classrooms and families looking for interactive live reading sessions with popular children’s authors.
Library Speakers Consortium	Provides live online author talks in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium, featuring multiple bestselling authors each month.	Not explicitly stated.	Suitable for libraries and educational institutions seeking to connect with a variety of authors through live online events.
Authors Who Skype Free	A list of authors who connect virtually and in person	Varies by author	Ideal for educators hoping to connect with specific authors listed.

But wait, there’s one more FREE option!

Although not a virtual author talk source, Bookshare.org provides easy-to-read audiobooks and ebooks for readers, no matter what their ability. Get this…Bookshare is 100% free through an aware from the Office of Special Education Programs!

You can see a sample of their book selection via their website. What’s more, you can find a collection of human-narrated books (also, read TCEA’s blog entry on AI narrated books):

Bookshare has thousands of human-narrated audiobooks. You can listen to them in either MP3 or DAISY Audio formats on a variety of devices. Browse reading lists of their texts:

See how to qualify and complete membership in the United States.

August 8, 2024 0 comment

Graphic that lists tips for using current events in the classroom.

Good Teaching

Engaging Students with Current Events

by Diana Benner July 17, 2024

written by Diana Benner

In today’s rapidly changing world, staying informed about current events is crucial for students. It helps them develop critical thinking skills, understand global issues, and become informed citizens. As teachers, we have the unique opportunity to bring the world into our classrooms, making learning relevant and dynamic.

Current Events Resources

Here are some resources to help you integrate current events into your curriculum.

CNN10

CNN10 offers a ten-minute daily news show designed for middle and high school students. The program covers significant global events in a way that’s accessible and engaging for students. It’s a great way to start the day or a class, while sparking discussions and debates on current issues.

Some of the key features of CNN10 include:

Daily video updates
Simplified news summaries
Encourages classroom discussions

Newsela

Image of a newspaper — Image by Author from OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay

Newsela is a fantastic resource that provides news articles at various reading levels. This allows teachers to tailor content to the reading abilities of their students, ensuring that everyone can engage with the material. Newsela covers a wide range of topics, including science, politics, and social issues, making it easy to find relevant articles for any subject.

Some of the key features of Newsela include:

Adjustable reading levels
Standards-aligned quizzes and activities
Diverse topics and current events

PBS NewsHour

PBS NewsHour is geared towards middle and high school students. It provides articles, videos, and lesson plans that cover current events. This resource helps students make connections between classroom lessons and real-world issues, promoting deeper understanding and engagement.

Some key features of PBS NewsHour include:

Articles and videos on current events
Lesson plans and teaching resources
Encourages critical thinking and discussion

The New York Times Learning Network

The New York Times Learning Network offers a wealth of resources for teachers and students. From news, quizzes, and writing prompts to lesson plans and activities, this resource helps bring current events to life in the classroom. It’s suitable for middle and high school students and encourages critical thinking and discussion.

Some key features of The New York Times Learning Network include:

Daily news quizzes
Writing prompts and lesson plans
Discussion starters and interactive activities

TIME for Kids

TIME for Kids provides age-appropriate news coverage and is an excellent resource for elementary students. The articles are written in a way that is engaging and understandable for younger students, making it a perfect tool for introducing current events to early learners.

Some of the key features of TIME for Kids include:

Kid-friendly articles and visuals
Topics range from global news to science and sports
Printable and digital versions available
Read-aloud option

Integrating Current Events in the Classroom

Integrating current events into the classroom can make learning more engaging and relevant for students. Here are some tips on how to effectively incorporate current events into your lessons:

Start Small

Begin with short news segments or articles and gradually increase the complexity as students become more comfortable.

Connect to the Curriculum

Relate current events to your existing curriculum. For example, use news articles about scientific discoveries to complement science lessons or historical events to provide context in history classes.

Facilitate Discussions

Use current events as a springboard for classroom discussions and debates. This can help students develop their speaking and listening skills, as well as their ability to formulate and defend their opinions.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Have students analyze news articles and identify the main ideas, supporting details, and potential biases. Encourage them to ask questions and think critically about the information presented.

Use Multimedia

Use videos, podcasts, and interactive activities to keep students engaged.

By bringing current events into your classroom, you’re helping your students develop essential skills that will serve them well beyond their school years. Dive into these resources and start making global connections today!

July 17, 2024 0 comment

Assessment Content Areas Educational Research Good Teaching

The Frayer Model: Transforming Vocabulary Learning in All Grade Levels

by Dr. Bruce Ellis April 24, 2024

written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

How often do you encounter students who can memorize terms but struggle to apply them in context? What if there was a tool that could not only help students remember vocabulary but also deeply understand and apply these concepts? This tool is not new but might be one of the most underutilized in our teaching arsenal. Let’s take a look at how the Frayer Model can bridge the gap between rote memorization and true conceptual understanding.

What is the Frayer Model?

The Frayer Model is a graphic organizer that was originally developed by Dorothy Frayer and her colleagues at the University of Wisconsin in 1969. It was part of a project to find effective ways of teaching high school students new concepts. But, it is a helpful graphic organizer for students all the way down through early elementary. Since we all have concepts and academic vocabulary to teach that are foundational to our content area, the Frayer Model is a perfect tool to build into as you scaffold students’ understanding and mastery of critical pieces of your content. Initially, the Frayer Model was meant to be used for students in reading and language arts. However, it soon became popular for use in other content areas as well.

The Benefits of the Frayer Model

The Frayer Model offers several advantages that can greatly enhance student learning. Plenty of research underscores the value of using the Frayer Model with your students at appropriate times. Here are some of the benefits:

Improves comprehension: It breaks down complex concepts into more manageable parts, which helps students understand and remember details better.
Supports diverse learning styles: It also supports all learners, making it an excellent tool for classrooms with diverse learning styles and abilities.
Encourages active learning: Students who engage directly with the material are more likely to retain information and understand it deeply.
Facilitates classroom discussions: The Frayer Model provides a structured way for students to share thoughts and learn from each other.

The Graphic Organizer

In the center of the graphic organizer is the main concept or vocabulary word. Each outside quadrant is designated for a particular aspect of the learning that you want your students to learn. Traditionally these have been designated for the definition, characteristics of the word/concept, examples, and non-examples. Based on what you are teaching, you can change the quadrants to be more relevant if needed to support more targeted learning…such as using the word in a sentence, drawing a picture of the word/concept, etc.

While this has traditionally been a paper-pencil activity, we can easily bring the Frayer Model into the digital age. Access the Frayer Model Template using Google Slides and adapt it to make it your own! You will notice that the template includes several different examples for different grade levels and content areas to get you started. Consider using this as you check for prior knowledge, introduce critical concepts, or even as an exit ticket at the end of a lesson. You could also use this with digital tools like Figjam, Canva, PowerPoint, Microsoft Whiteboard, or Excalidraw.

Using the Frayer Model Template

There are several ways to use the template. Before sharing, you may want to adapt the examples to your grade level and content area to help students better understand with relevant examples that they can refer to as needed. These instructions are given for using the template within Google Slides but can be adapted for other platforms.

Method 1: Using the Template with a Whole Group

Share the Frayer Model template with the class giving everyone edit rights. Instruct them to each create a new slide (whether individually or working with a partner). They should first type their name in the top area to designate that the slide is theirs to edit. Assign each student (or pair) a word or concept to learn about. As they learn about the concept or word, they update their slide. Others can comment on quadrants and give additional insights, examples, non-examples, etc. Using the template in this manner makes it great for test review. It can also be the equivalent of a digital word wall that students can access on their devices when needed.

Method 2: Using the Template with Individual Students

Update the template slide deck as needed. Have students make a copy of the slide deck to their Google Drive, share a copy with them directly, or provide a “make a copy” link. Direct students to add a new slide for each word/concept and begin filling them in. Feel free to adapt the quadrants as needed. For example, change the non-example quadrant to now have students insert an image of the word or concept. Or they can find and share a YouTube video about the word or concept as a resource.

Regardless of what you teach and the grade level(s), be sure to add the Frayer Model to your teacher bag of good pedagogy tricks. These are great supports for ESL students and can be adapted for gifted students to extend beyond the regular expectations.

April 24, 2024 0 comment

Ribbon stating "TechNotes Top 20 – 2023" with a page being turned to reveal blog featured images for some of the top 20 articles.

Uncategorized

20. EduProtocols: Workflowing Amazing Lesson Design

ALDO becomes WALDO! Explore a lesson design outline with lots of resources for mixing and matching strategies, EduProtocols, and digital tools.

19. Two Ready-to-Use “This, Not That” Jamboard Bellringers

We’re back with two more “This, Not That” Jamboard bellringers. Use them in class right away, or edit them as templates!

18. How to Easily Convert Quizzes Between Platforms

"How to Easily Convert Quizzes Between Platforms" TechNotes article featured image

Need to get a set of quiz questions from one system (e.g., Quizlet, Kahoot!) into another? Find out how to convert quizzes easily!

17. Five Techie Things to Try This Summer

TCEA’s Peggy Reimers keeps a running “Check These Out” (CTO) list of things to try. Here are five things to add to your summer CTO list!

16. MagicSchool Offers 40+ Time-Saving AI Tools for Teachers

"MagicSchool Offers 40+ Time-Saving AI Tools for Teachers" article featured image

If you’ve not tried MagicSchool yet, you’re in for a treat. Explore more than 40 AI tools specifically designed for teachers!

15. An AI Tool for Generating Higher-Order Discussion Questions

Heard of Parlay Genie? This new AI tool generates discussion questions to spark deeper thinking for students in grades 5 through higher ed!

14. How Reliable Are AI Detectors?

Do AI detectors really work? You may be surprised. See how seven popular tools fared when put to the test with AI-generated text.

13. Two Canva Tools That Will Amaze You

"Two Canva Tools That Will Amaze You" TechNotes article featured image

Want to save tons of time by auto-generating editable designs and quickly translating content? Learn more about two magical Canva tools!

12. How to Differentiate Texts with ChatGPT

Need an adapted or translated text? Use ChatGPT to generate differentiated texts and better accommodate varied reading and language levels!

11. 10 Free Generative AI Courses Offered by Google

Google now offers 10 free courses in a Generative AI Learning Path. Take the courses and earn completion badges! Check them out.

10. Proven Classroom Discussion Strategies for Deeper Learning

"Proven Classroom Discussion Strategies for Deeper Learning" TechNotes article featured image

Discover six powerful discussion strategies to boost student engagement, encourage deep thinking, and enhance learning outcomes!

9. Prompts for Lesson Planning with ChatGPT

Get an editable ChatGPT prompt for lesson planning and see prompt examples for activities, ideas, and differentiation.

8. Five AI Tools to Try (May 2023)

This month’s AI roundup features slide decks, storytelling, sarcasm, flashcards, and more. Check out these five AI tools for educators!

7. May the 4th Classroom Activities and Resources

"May the 4th Classroom Activities and Resources" blog featured image

Are you a Star Wars fan? Are your students? If so, here are some fun activities of all kinds to incorporate this Star Wars Day!

6. Five Fun End-of-the-Year Classroom Activities

As the end of the year nears, it’s important to unwind, have fun, and reflect. Try one of these fun end-of-the-year activities.

5. 80 Graphic Organizer Templates for Active Learning

"80 Graphic Organizer Templates for Active Learning" TechNotes article featured image

Did you know that using graphic organizers can promote active learning? Here are 80 free and fully customizable templates for you to explore!

4. A Free and Open-Source (FOSS) Geographic Information System

Explore a popular K-12 geographic information system and check out a free and open-source alternative, QGIS.

3. How ChatGPT Can Help with Grading

"How ChatGPT Can Help with Grading" article featured image

As a potential grading assistant, ChatGPT can help streamline the feedback and grading process, but you’re still in charge! Find out how…

2. How to Create a Rubric with ChatGPT

Get an editable prompt template and create a rubric with ChatGPT in less than one minute! Watch it work its magic in an example video.

1. Chat GPT Prompts for Busy Educators

Take a look at ChatGPT prompts for educators! Learn how to craft your best prompt to maximize your results and get what you’re looking for.

While 2023 has concluded, the dawn of 2024 brings a fresh start! TCEA’s dedicated team is already hard at work crafting insightful TechNotes articles for the upcoming year. Additionally, stay tuned for an array of engaging Lunch and Learns, events, and numerous exciting offerings that will unfold throughout the year!

January 15, 2024 0 comment

Students in a classroom completing outlining and summarizing activities.

Educational Research Good Teaching

Three Engaging Activities for Outlining and Summarizing

by Miguel Guhlin November 28, 2023

written by Miguel Guhlin

Wish you could empower and engage students with strategies that lead to long-term information retention? Outlining and summarizing is a strategy that assists students in learning new material and retaining it. Once students learn to read a text, watch a video, outline, and summarize, they will remember. As a deep learning strategy, outlining and summarizing assists students in connecting ideas. According to researchers, deep learning happens when learners make a conscious and explicit effort. That effort involves connecting “new knowledge to relevant concepts they already have.”

Outlining and Summarizing (d=0.62): This deep learning strategy involves students in identifying ideas. They identify the main ideas and render them in one’s own words. The core skill is being able to differentiate between main and supporting ideas.
Source: Visible Learning MetaX database

Let’s look at several deep learning activities you can complete with your students to boost retention using outlining and summarizing. But first, let’s look at the science behind it.

What Helps Us Remember and Retain

A key idea behind outlining and summarizing involves semantic processing or encoding. That is, translating what we experience through our senses into a meaningful connection. This connection, like a story you tell yourself about an event, aids in memory recall. When you outline, putting ideas into your own words, you are engaging in semantic encoding. Semantic encoding is the process of linking data and information to concepts and meanings. This improves understanding and recall.

“Memory is the residue of thought,” says Professor Daniel Willingham. To remember something better:

Think about it
Do something with the ideas (draw a diagram or a picture)
Write notes by hand to improve long-term information retention.

But what does “think about it” mean? Many students have no idea. If the goal is to remember information, you have to do something with it. That makes “thinking” a series of repeated actions that ensure long-term information retention. Want to ensure you never forget the code to your memory safe? Take one of these actions:

Read aloud, then get feedback from others (Repeated Reading)
Discuss with others (Classroom Discussion, Reciprocal Teaching, Jigsaw Method)
Clarify vocabulary and meaning (Vocabulary Programs)
Jot down important ideas and information (Outlining, Summarization, Concept Mapping)
Annotate your text, write in the margins (Underlining and Highlighting)
Interrogate text (ask questions and make a quiz for Retrieval Practice)

“Memories are stored in ensembles of neurons called ‘engram cells’, and successful recall of these memories involves the reactivation of these ensembles. The logical extension of this is that forgetting occurs when engram cells cannot be reactivated. The memories themselves are still there, but if the specific ensembles cannot be activated, they can’t be recalled. It’s as if the memories are stored in a safe but you can’t remember the code to unlock it.”
Source: Dr. Tomás Ryan, associate professor, School of Biochemistry & Immunology, & Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin

Now, let’s dive in to three activities that use outlining and summarizing to aid in retention.

Activity #1: Create a Reverse Outline

Reverse outlining instructions — Screenshot by Emily Horn: MGLead.org **Reverse Outline** Page

When you create a reverse outline, you are selecting key ideas in a reading selection. Only the sentences with key ideas will end up in your reverse outline. Cut away anything that isn’t relevant to the key sentence in a paragraph. If you can’t find a key sentence, ask yourself, “What is this paragraph about?” Then write a one-sentence summary of it. You can find some digital tools to support you, but one you could take advantage of is ChatGPT. If you have access to ChatGPT, you can ask it to make a reverse outline for you.

Example ChatGPT Prompt: Create a reverse outline of the following passage with Roman numerals, main ideas, and supporting details: Then paste in the text to be outlined.

Example Reverse Outline Created by the Author

Access Supporting Resources for Reverse Outlines

Activity #2: Cornell Note-Taking

Notes Organizer that accommodates Cornell Note-Taking, Jigsaw, and 3-2-1 in one document. Wow! — Author generated compilation of Cornell Notes, 3-2-1, and Jigsaw organizer

You may already be familiar with the Cornell Note-Taking method. The flexibility of the Cornell Notes format makes it one of the most important tools you can share. The Cornell Note-Taking process is straightforward:

Record your notes in your own words. Make an outline, draw a concept map, or a sketch a picture (sketch note).
Reduce your notes. Work on the cue column. Identify keywords and vocabulary. Write questions that trigger recall of ideas or use them to quiz yourself.
Recite and Reflect. Summarize key ideas from the cue section, drawing conclusions.
Review your notes. Spread out your study over several days or weeks rather than cramming them right before an event (e.g. test, quiz, project).

What’s more, there are many templates for Cornell Note-Taking online:

Paper versions

Google Docs

Microsoft OneNote

Example Cornell Notes for Outlining and Summarizing — Created by author

Activity #3: Concept Mapping

Concept maps like diagrams, mindmaps, and semantic webs can help you seize the chaotic energy of your mind by tapping into your generative power. You seek to reflect the constellations of thought and map them. There are benefits to this thought cartography. In an online compendium of research, the benefits of concept mapping are clear. These strategies have a thought-mapping component that requires students to recall information.

As I create a concept map, an outline, or take notes, I am full of questions that may include:

Should I build my understanding around this main idea?
Is this the main idea? What are the supporting or related concepts?
How do the main idea and the supporting ideas connect to what I already know?
How can I best represent or arrange ideas to reflect what I know and what I am learning?

This self-interrogation is ever-present and appears in all the strategies that involve diagramming and concept mapping. Paste in a text selection (200 or so words) to be turned into a concept map into yEd LIVE. yEd LIVE will use ChatGPT to summarize and create the map. Of course, it is more effective if students make the map and connect it to what they know.

yEd LIVE example dagram prompt — Screenshot by author, yEd LIVE

yEd LIVE Diagram — Screenshot by author, yEd LIVE AI-created map

Want to Learn More?

Want to learn more? Here is an infographic that can help you kick off your exploration.

Information on Outlining and Summarizing — Created by the author

Click here to make a copy!

Summarization and outlining are proven ways to help students retain information and learn deeply. These strategies can be used across a variety of subjects and content areas. Which of these activities will you use in your classroom? Leave us a comment to let us know how it goes.

November 28, 2023 0 comment

Newer Posts

Older Posts