Great tips for those long direct instruction lessons. Using components of the Common Instructional Framework like Writing to Learn and Classroom Talk, here are easy ways to make direct instruction lessons more engaging.
Quick strategy for engaging students who are quiet and reluctant. By giving these students a guide sheet and responsibility during discussions, teachers are able to have more students engaged in the activities.
Sometimes giving students less instructions is the best teaching method. Allowing them to problem solve independently shows them that they can meet challenges and don't always have to depend on the teacher.
The Catch and Release teaching technique allows students to take on a project independently, but keeps the instructor in control by providing time to get students back on track. Watch as Ms. Noonan uses this technique in her classroom.
Ways to approach lessons on themes, symbolism and allusions. Here is a great example of teaching to the Common Core Standards in ELA with the support of your students.
Learn about the SIFT Method of analyzing literature. Middle School English teachers have found this a valuable tool to help students analyze literature and poems. SIFT stands for Symbolism, Imagery, Figurative Language, Tone and Theme.
Getting students to a place where they can write their own persuasive speech is difficult, especially with ELLs. This video is part of a complete unit designed to help Middle School students become comfortable with persuasive texts.
Learning about Literature Circles and the 5 student roles: summarizer, visualizer, inferencer, symbolizer and word detective. Literature Circles help deepen student understanding of texts.