Spotlight On Strategies
An instructional strategy using Discovery Education media.
I'm "X", You're "O"...Let's Go!
BACKGROUND
"I'm "X", You're "O"...Let's Go" is a paired verbal fluency instructional strategy that activates thinking. It allows the opportunity for students to orally share with a partner what they've learned from a lesson from any format type such as a video, a reading, a presentation, a discussion and even a song. As each student has their turn at speaking, their partner will be actively involved by listening attentively so they do not repeat anything their partner says. This strategy can also act as an assessment for learning process where the teacher can check for student strengths and weaknesses in their understanding of given topics.
EXAMPLE
-During the Social Studies unit on the Province of Alberta, I would have the students watch the attached Discovery Education video segment titled, "Banff National Park".
-With a partner, the two will decide who will be student “X” and who will be student “O”.
-Without interruption, so that each person gets the chance to speak, student “X” will have 1 minute to verbalize to student “O” what he/she learned from the video. Student “O” will then have 1 minute to verbalize to student “X” what he/she learned from the video.
-Then, student “X” will have 30 seconds to share again what he/she learned from the video. Student “O” will then have 30 seconds to also share more about what he/she learned from the video.
-Finally, student “X” will have 15 seconds to talk about something else he/she learned from the video with student “O” having the last 15 seconds to wrap up the conversation about what he/she learned.
-In all, the activity requires 3-1/2 minutes with the teacher watching the time and announcing to the students when time is up at each interval to switch speakers.
CHALLENGE
-Select a video that matches your curriculum.
-Have students watch the video.
-Pair students with one being student “X” and the other being student “O”.
-Explain to students they will have a total of 3-1/2 minutes to talk with their partner about what they understood from the video by having student “X” speak for 1 minute and then student “O” to speak for 1 minute.
-Student “X” will then have 30 seconds to speak and then student “O” will have 30 seconds to speak.
-Finally, student “X” will have 15 seconds to speak and student “O” will have the last 15 seconds to wrap up the conversation.
Citations
(2013, October 2). Retrieved from www.connect2learning.com: http://annedavies.com/assessment_for_learning_wafl.html
Alberta Education. (2013, October 2). Retrieved from http://education.alberta.ca/media/456107/ss4.pdf
Buehl, D. (2009). Classroom Strategies for Interactive Learning (p. 122). International Reading Association, Inc.
Jupiterimages Corporation, (2006). License Plate Alphabet - Letter O. [Image]. Available from http://www.discoveryeducation.ca/
Jupiterimages Corporation, (2006). License Plate Alphabet - Letter X. [Image]. Available from http://www.discoveryeducation.ca/
Variety, (2000). Geography, History, and Attractions: The Canadian Rockies. [Full Video]. Available from http://www.discoveryeducation.ca/