Engagement Strategy #16
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
This week’s eflyer contains information about:
National Board Fee Incentive Program Application
McDaniel Information Sessions
EdCamps by MSDE
Engagement Strategy #16
- Teacher Appreciation Week Freebies!
Colleen, Jessie, and Jeff
National Board Certification
If you are interested in pursuing National Board Certification, please be sure to apply for the Fee Incentive Program. Deadline to apply is May 20th. Contact Colleen or Rachel Sparks in HR for more information.
McDaniel Information Session
EdCamps by MSDE
This summer MSDE is offering a variety of EdCamp opportunities for Maryland educators. These sessions will be held throughout the state. Registration opens May 4.
Engagement Strategy #16
Brain Dump
This is a quick processing activity which can be done at any time in a lesson.
According to Mary Budd Rowe’s 10:2 Theory, we should pause for processing for two minutes at ten minute intervals. That is, for every ten minutes or so of meaningful chunks of new information, learners should be provided with two minutes or so to process information.
Brain Dump Process
- Assign partners. Students should have to walk at least 6 steps to locate a partner and stand during the "dumping" process.
- Determine A-B.
- Partner A shares information on a topic for a set time.
- Partner B shares information on the topic for a set time.
- Return to seats.
Brain Dump Alternatives
- Students can be given thought time prior to pairing up, or use information from a homework assignment, notes or a graphic organizer.
- Students pair up before the topic or question is posed, and then respond from memory.
- The time sharing with a partner can be between 20-60 seconds depending on the age group and topic.
Debrief
- After students return to their seats, provide a minute or two for learners to share the responses of their partner, add to notes, answer a question, etc.
At the start of a test, students write down on a sheet of scrap paper any facts or key information that they might forget. This 'brain dump' will help them to feel less anxious. Plus, this sheet of information will serve as a convenient reference during the test.
Consider having your students use Inspiration Software to create a graphic organizer as a visual display to demonstrate relationships between facts, concepts or ideas. This mind map will guide the learner’s thinking as they fill in and build upon a visual map or diagram.
Total Participation Techniques, Himmele & Himmele, 2011