*Think Pair Share*Think pair share is an active learning strategy that can be used in a classroom to get students talking to one another. The teacher asks an open ended question such as "Why do you think a polar bear can't live in the desert?". The students then are instructed to "think pair share" their answers which means they think about what the answer is, pair up with a partner, and then share their answer with their partner.
*Doodle It*Doodle it can be used for any subject, but I see most of it's potential being used in math. The students can draw the answer to the problem and hold it up for the teacher to see- similar to dry erase boards.
*3, 2, 1 Format*At the end of the lesson, the teacher tells the students to write their 3,2,1's.
Meaning: 3 ideas presented 2 examples of the information covered 1 question they still have *QR Code Answers*This is a strategy that can be used if the students have any type of technology in the classroom such as iPads. The teacher makes a QR code for each answer to whatever problems the students are working on during their Independent Practice time. The students can show the teacher their work before they are allowed to scan the QR codes. The students then scan the QR codes that match the number of problems they have tried and see if they got the correct answer or not.
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*Free Write*Free write is a strategy that can be used in the classroom to get students writing- about anything and everything. The point of free write is that the students can write about anything they want- just as long as it is appropriate.
*Roundtable*When having a discussion with the whole class, the students can gather in a circle on the carpet. The teacher asks a question to start a discussion and the students can go around the circle to answer individually.
*Pass the Paper*Each student takes a piece of blank paper and writes his/her name on top. He/she then writes one thing he/she learned during the lecture. The paper is passed in some order to about six more people with soft music playing. Each person must write an additional fact they learned (and not repeat any said so far). When the music is turned off, the paper is returned to the original owner and serves as a mini-review of the material.
*Stations*Stations are a great strategy to use for Independent Practice time or even giving the majority of the class something educational and related to the TEKS while the teacher pulls some students for group work or tutoring. The stations should be fun yet educational and related to the lesson that you have been focusing on. Stations should be a treat for the students and something that they can look forward to.
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*Dry Erase Boards*The use of dry erase boards switches things up for the students and keeps them interested in the lesson. The teacher can use the dry erase boards in whichever subject, just as long as the students get to write the answers to the questions that the teacher asks throughout the lesson on the dry erase boards. The students can then hold up the dry erase boards for the teacher to see so their work can be checked.
*Ticket Out*Explain to each student that they must give you a ticket out to leave the room. The ticket is an index card which could either ask a question about the lesson, or ask a question extending the lesson.
*Finger Signals*This is a strategy that can be used to answer questions without the students even speaking. The teacher asks a yes/ no or multiple choice questions. The students are instructed to hold the correct number of fingers up for the answer they wish to use. For example: 1 finger for yes, 2 for no. Or for multiple choice questions, have the answers up on the board and give each answer choice a number that students can use with their fingers. A good idea for teachers is to make sure that the students are instructed to hold the fingers in front of their torsos so other students around them are not able to "copy". This is also a great informal evaluation assessment for teachers without embarrassing the students in front of their peers.
*Turn, Talk, and Solve*Turn, Talk and Solve is a great strategy to use in any grade and any subject. I have recently used it in a 5th grade math class and the kids really respond well to it. This strategy is similar to Turn and Talk, but just adding that extra word "Solve" keeps any students who are tempted to stray off task focused and solving the problem at hand.
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