Instructional Strategies

Simple quick check for understanding.

Think, Pair, Share-Collaborative activity that asks students to think about a topic, pair up, and share his/her thinking.

Gallery Walk-Display students work around the perimeter of classroom, at separate tables, in hallway, etc. Students walk quietly around room and leave comments for each display based on the instructions given by teacher.

3-2-1-Utilize this strategy by asking students to respond with 3 facts, 2 questions, and 1 opinion. This process can be changed as long as the 3-2-1 is upheld.
Graphic Organizer

Turn & Talk--A strategy that is utilized in many ways. Teachers should predetermine student partners so there is not a scramble for partners or someone who is consistently left out. The activity should have a time limit set to it, for example "You will have 2 minutes to turn and talk to your partner. The question is..." Set a timer so time is used efficiently. The question used could be to clarify learning, share information or experiences, think about a topic, debate a concept, etc.

Conversation Starters--Building a classroom culture can be a vital part of deep, meaningful discussions. Students need to feel comfortable sharing. Building leading questions to begin conversations is a vital step. Whether you build your own questions or utilize some basic questions, the process needs to be modeled and taught. The link below has some general questions that can be used to build rapport
101 Conversation Starters

Popsicle Stick Strategy--a method to create equality and randomness in the classroom. You can assign each student a number and place a number on each stick, place them in a cup or a can. After posing a question to the class, draw a stick and have students respond. You can use the sticks in multiple ways: interest questions, check for understanding, building groups, or giving out special privileges. There is also an app in the Apple store that can be used instead of the physical sticks.

Jigsaw Strategy--a cooperative learning activity that has been proven to be quite effective. It requires a lesson to broken down into smaller parts and each student becomes an expert initially on one aspect. Please see the link at the bottom for a step by step explanation of how to implement the strategy in your classroom.
Jigsaw instructionsVideo Explanation of Jigsaw

Chat Stations--get students up and moving while reviewing the content of the lesson. The attached article/video will help you get it set up.Chat Stations Explanation

Table Talks--a great collaborative way to review material, problem solve, or discuss topics. The teacher becomes the facilitator and the students take the lead in learning. The attached article will explain the strategy and give you ideas to set it up in the classroom.Table Talk Explanation

Walk & Squawk--A discussion strategy used to encourage students to have conversations one on one. Partner up your students and give them a topic of discussion/conversation. Set up a path that you want them to take, remind them they are to talk only to their partners without getting distracted, send them on the walk one group at a time, and make sure their is ample space between groups so they don't clump up and the conversation becomes a group instead of one on one.

KWL--Know, Want to Know, and Learned. A strategy that can be employed with students when learning about a new topic. The strategy helps teachers focus lessons by surveying students of current knowledge and what they want to know about a topic. After learning about topic they can share what they have learned. A simple 3 column note can be used for this strategy. Fold the paper in thirds and label the columns K, W, L.

Tableau--is a strategy used that asks students to create a living picture to represent a concept or idea. The students use their bodies to form shapes or a scene to communicate their understanding of the topic, piece of literature, concept, etc. A great way for kinesthetic learners to use movement instead of words.

Scavenger Hunts--a excellent way to get students engaged and moving. It can be used to get students to think about the content, problem solve, discover, and practice skills. It can be done within the confines of your classroom or the building. Careful planning, set up, and monitoring are important to ensure the hunt's success.

Role playing--a great activity that asks students to become someone else for a short while. It can be paired with research, learning about social situations, characters in literature. The possibilities are endless...a great way for teachers to step into a new role to share information as well. This strategy can give a novel spin on a less than interesting topic.

Sticky Note Response--one of the most versatile tools in our classroom supplies toolbox. These gems can be ways to create, check for understanding, questions, exit tickets and so much more. The attached article gives some suggestions to start you thinking about how to use them in the classroom.20 Ways to Use Sticky Notes

STOP-START-SAVE--A great strategy when you want students to stop and think about his/her performance. It asks them to about one thing they will stop doing, continue doing and start doing. Click on the stoplight to get the pdf to make your own exit slips.

Tweet it!--Ask students what they know, ways to offer students' insight into a concept/lesson, add a little creativity into the standard responses. Click on the image above to get a pdf of the twitter handout.

Traverse Talk Strategy--traverse means to travel and this strategy asks students to use a form of debate and travel down a row to listen to other arguments and formulate their own. Click on the above photo to get a google doc with instruction for this strategy.

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