Lesson Closure: The Last Gate

(Adapted from a presentation by Mr. Jon W. Ramsey)

. . . Setting the Table . . .

• What’s in it for me? This question is asked by students on a daily basis.

• At the end of the day, teachers need to remind students where they have been and where they are going.

Lesson Closure . . .

• At some point near the

end of the lesson, a

systematic closing

of the lesson should

occur

Lesson Closure . . .

• Is a “natural” stopping point in the lesson

• Points back to the lesson’s objectives and

captures their relevance to what has been

taught

• Keeps the “big picture” in mind

• Helps to ensure that objectives are met and

applied by students

Lesson Closure . . .

• May also raise related questions or ideas for

students to ponder in anticipation of the next

lesson – “Where are we going next?”

“What are we going to do tomorrow?”

• Is similar to looking back on a trail so that one

knows from which way he or she came

Effective closure takes time and planning; build it

into your lesson plan!!!

The Whole-Part-Whole Method of Teaching . . .

Look at the “big picture”

Provide the details (i.e., parts); content

Check for understanding

Make sure that students are not lost in the details

Provide opportunities for application and practice

Finally, review the big picture = Closure

An Example Student Learning Experience – Time-wise . . .

• “Housekeeping” - ~3 to 5 minutes

• Interest Approach - ~5 to 7 minutes

• Content taught/presented - ~15 to 25 minutes

• Student Application - ~10 to 20 minutes

• Closure - ~3 to 5 minutes; perhaps more . . .

• Assessment and Evaluation of Learning -~7 to 15 minutes . . .

. . . The Lesson Plan . . .

• Identification• Objectives• Teaching Materials• Preparation• Presentation• Application• Evaluation

Where are we going next???

Examples of Advanced Organizers (AOs)

• Reading Assignments• Web projects • Spelling words• Current events• Feed samples or feed tags• Leaves or other plant samples

AOs can be designed and used to encourage students to think about tomorrow’s

lesson . . .

Food for Thought (FFT) . . .

Education produces learning not essentially by what a teacher says, thinks, or does, but by what a pupil can be encouraged to say, think, do, and feel.

“To teach is to learn twice.”

Joseph Joubert

Did you shut the gate????