Tech Tips
November 2018: Volume 6- Number 50
Happy Thanksgiving!
Story Corps
Thanksgiving Educational Websites
Thanksgiving Photo Frames
NEA
Thanksgiving Ideas for the Classroom
Interdisciplinary Lesson Plans, Activity Ideas and Other Curriculum Resources
By Phil Nast, retired middle school teacher and freelance writer
Found In: language arts, social studies, preK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Celebrate the Thanksgiving season in the classroom and at home with lessons, quizzes, activities, games, trivia, books, and movies.
Resources For:
To Learn, Students Need to DO Something
Excerpt: "
If we want our students to actually learn the facts and concepts and ideas we’re trying to teach them, they have to experience those things in some way that rises above abstract words on paper. They have to process them. Manipulate them.
To really learn in a way that will stick, they have to DO something."
First, let me say that authentic, project-based learning is probably the best way to have students experience meaningful learning. But many schools and classrooms aren’t quite there yet: They deliver instruction in a more traditional way. That model can still result in solid learning, if it’s implemented correctly. And that’s where I’m seeing a problem. I think we’re skipping over one of the most important steps in our lesson plans.
Let’s consider the classic lesson plan format:
- Anticipatory set: This is where we get students interested in the lesson and set objectives for the day.
- Direct instruction: Facts, concepts, and skills are delivered via lecture, video, reading—some way of getting the information into students’ heads.
- Guided practice and application: With the support of the teacher, students apply what they have just been taught.
- Independent practice and application: Students apply the learning on their own.
- Assessment: The teacher measures how well students have met the objectives.
I think what’s happening is that we’re skipping over the third step. We’re going right to independent practice (often at the lowest levels—basic regurgitation), but students aren’t being given any kind of task to actually process or apply the material in a meaningful way. We go straight from direct instruction to independent practice to assessment."
"The other problem with this kind of teaching is that it makes kids hate school. I already dealt with this extensively in this post about excessive use of worksheets, but it’s worth repeating: When we do little more than have students copy down information or fill out worksheets, we are making school an awful place to be."
SCS Instructional Technology Information
Contact me if you have any questions or would like help using these tools.
Email: vturner@scsmustangs.org
Website: http://www.strongnet.org/InstructionalTechnology
Phone: 440-572-7067
Twitter: @vturner8