Teaching in the Block:Strategies for Engaging Active Learners
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Gen Battisto, PIIC RMCEvelyn Wassel, Ed.D., Academic Coach
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When I die, I hope it’s during a lecture;
the difference betweenlife and death will be so
small,that I won’t notice it!
(Anonymous Student)
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Teaching in a block scheduleis like eternity,
and eternity is spent in one of two places.
John Strebe
Presentation Goals
How to make an effective and engaging lesson in a block schedule
How to make the block schedule a heavenly place
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Read the article from a Wiggins blog and highlight the sections which describe situations you see in the classrooms in your school.
Go to a table with someone new. Introduce yourself and share your district and # of years experience.
Share your thoughts.
Essential Elements of a Block
1. Opener & REVIEW 2. Physical Movement
4. Mixture of Learning Modes:●Listening: Lecture
●Writing & Creating: Journals, Quick Writes, Drawings
●Talking: Small Groups, Labs, Pair Share
●Reading: Articles, Text
●Action: Sports, Dramatizations
3. Activities: 20 minutes or less
5. Closure: exit slip, 12 word summary, 3-2-1, Partner Share
Whip AroundAn example of an element you commonly see.
1.Opener & REVIEW2.Physical Movement3.Activities: 20 minutes or less
4. Mixture of Learning Modes:● Listening: Lecture
● Writing & Creating: Journals, Quick Writes, Drawings
● Talking: Small Groups, Labs, Pair Share
● Reading: Articles, Text
● Action: Sports, Dramatizations
5. Closure: exit slip, 12 word summary, 3-2-1
Three-Part Lesson-Design1. Explanation (20-25 mins.)
ObjectivePlan for the DayConnections to Previous LearningHomework ReviewTeach New Material
2. Application (40-45 mins.)3. Synthesis (15-20 mins.)
AssessmentRe-teachingEstablish Connections and RelevanceClosure 8
Application Phase
I. Cooperative LearningII. LaboratoryIII. SimulationIV. Models of Teaching
A. Concept DevelopmentB. InquiryC. Concept Attainment
V. Learning Centers or StationsVI. TechnologyVII. Content Area Literacy Strategies
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Designing Lessons for the Block Schedule With Active Learning
Strategies
Homework Review (10-15 minutes) Presentation (20-25 minutes) Activity (30-35 minutes) Guided Practice (10-15 minutes) Re-teach (10-15 minutes) Closure (5-10 minutes)
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Homework Review (10-15 Minutes) Inside-Outside Circles Pairs-Check Team Interview Roundtable Think-Pair-Share Send a Problem
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My Favorite No
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rulmok_9HVs View the video and respond to the following
What did you see that contributes to a positive classroom climate?
How would you use this video to help a teacher focus on the factors which promote a positive classroom climate?
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Presentation (20-25 Minutes) Interactive Lecture
Inquiry Direct Instruction Demonstration Inductive thinking Directed Reading/thinking Activity Concept Attainment Memory Model
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Activity (30-35 Minutes) In the Hot Seat Brain Writing Carousel Brainstorming Possible Sentences Questions in a Jar Silent Debate
Work with your group and develop a brief (2 minute) activity for a topic of your choice.
http://bit.ly/PIICblock 14
Six Steps in theInteractive Lecture Model
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Activating Prior Knowledge
State the Objectives
Present New Material
Provide Guided Practice
Review Previously
Taught Material
Provide Closure
Stimuli for Student Engagement
High Energy Missing Information Self Mild Pressure Mild Controversy and
Competition16
High Energy as Stimulus
Movement Lesson Pacing (especially
smooth transitions) Teacher Enthusiasm and
Intensity
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Missing Information as Stimulus Mysteries (Puzzles, riddles, etc.) Inquiry Lessons Text Rendering with Turn-and-
Talk Extract most important word or
phrase
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Self as Stimulus
Student Interests Student Choices Material Relevant to Current
Existence
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Mild Pressure as Stimulus
Appropriate level of pressure Questioning techniques including “wait time”
and individual response boards Intellectual Challenge
Key: Pressure that is too intense or too long will cause stress that has a negative impact on learning and well-being.
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Mild Controversy and Competition as Stimuli
Games/Contests Seminars Discussions Debates Key: Controversy must not be too
“controversial.” Competition must not be too intense. Losing teams and/or individuals must not feel devalued.
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Presentation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW0XsQ4X28s
What would you suggest to this teacher in a weather unit?
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Breaking Down a Typical Block
1. How was the block well structured?2. Find a place where the block could have been structured more effectively and explain it to your table mates.
Breaking Down a Typical Block
As a team of professional educators:
TURN 4 THOUGHT
Discuss with your peers the implication of the modeled strategies and shared information to your role as a coach in improving the achievement of all students.
Spotlight Moment
Revisiting Wiggins Blog Post Which of the author’s “if I could go
back” changes do you think are most valuable to your coaching?
What are some of your ideas you could add to this article? Remember it’s a blog you could post them. Posted on October 10, 2014 on
https://grantwiggins.wordpress.com
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