Collaborative Learning
Students enjoy learning from their peers. Add a little competition to the mix, and the participation skyrockets. I play off popular quiz shows like Jeopardy!, Family Feud, and Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader to teach a variety of skills. To pump up the students’ vocabulary, I play the Retired Words Game. I write a “tired word” like “says,” “got,” “bad,” “good,” and so-on on a piece of butcher paper. I divide the students into groups and give each group a different colored marker. They have to come up with as many synonyms to replace the given word in one minute. Then they switch words. We read the words and the group with the highest total wins.
Retired Words Collaborative Learning Game in Practice In the gallery below is an example of this game playing in my Composition class during our summary unit. In summary, students need to be as specific as possible to denote the author’s purpose. “Says” is a verb that is often repeated but is very vague in meaning. So we played the “Retired Words Game.” Each group was given the same “tired” word: “Says.” The students came up with as many “strong verbs” to replace “says.” We reviewed the verbs, vetoed ones that would not work in a summary, and discussed the best words for the concept. I posted the students’ work in our classroom so they could refer to it as a quick reference and reminder for the rest of the semester. Snowball Fights
After a discussion about a topic, have the students take out a piece of scrap paper and write down an example of the concept. Students crumple up the paper and for a given amount of time have a “snowball fight,” throwing the papers at each other, picking them up, and throwing them again. Warn the students to have fun with it, but be careful. When the allotted time is up, each student should have a piece of crumpled paper. Each student will stand and read the statement on the paper. The student will guess the intention of the example. The writer identifies him/herself and tells whether the answer given was correct. If one of the answers is incorrect, it’s a great teachable moment.
***Disclaimer: This is not for the faint of heart, but a great way to get the students up and moving a little bit. It’s also a great check to see if the students understand the concept.*** YouTube Clips and Channel
I use many different video examples to demonstrate a concept or generate discussion. Clips range from XtraNormal clips to Seinfeld to commercials. YouTube is also great for the students to find music videos exemplifying literary devices, tone, purpose, and other writer techniques. Since students are exposed to YouTube frequently, they are familiar with the technology and can easily engage with an activity. My co-worker, Alison Hughes and I also have our own YouTube channel, so students can access their lectures, helpful hints, and ideas on any device!
Check it out! AnimotoI'll let the video I created speak for itself.
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Venn Diagrams
Traditional Venn Diagrams are a fantastic visual for quick references. This organizational tool is mainly used when teaching the Compare/Contrast paragraph. I model the Venn Diagram then break students into groups to practice and share their ideas. The Venn Diagram is then used in the students’ prewriting phase of this paragraph to create an outline, rough draft, and final paragraph. In the gallery below is an example of a class-created Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Batman and Superman. I modeled the Venn Diagram using their ideas while teaching the Compare/Contrast paragraph.
Online Interactive Concept Maps
There are so many tools on the internet that are available to teachers. Using technology in the classroom can simply mean taking a basic concept map and completing it online. It is amazing to me how the students react differently when given a task to be online and type rather than taking pen to paper. One of my favorite maps is the ReadWriteThink persuasive map. Concept maps are a fantastic way to organize thoughts and ideas, weed out extraneous details, and serve as a quick visual reference.
Poll Everywhere
Let’s face it, students love their cell phones. It is almost an extension of their own beings at times. Using PollEverywhere polls are a way to appease both student and teacher. The teacher creates the poll and the students respond by texting the answer. The results are compiled in real time. PollEverywhere can be a little time consuming, but definitely helps to break up a lesson, make the lesson more interactive, and help the teacher gauge understanding.
Mind Maps
While I may teach college level and probably should be beyond bringing markers to the classroom, both my students and I love using Mind Maps. Mind Maps let the students’ minds wander and make connections. Incorporating pictures, words, and color, the students can organize their thoughts and start to realize the value of the concepts in their own lives. There are two examples below of student-created mind maps based on and responding to a Ted Talk shown during class.
Pop Culture References
Tapping into the students’ interests is the best way to keep them engaged in their learning. We’ve had discussions on the Real Housewives series (comparing cities), sports teams, and current events. To teach author’s purpose, I use three different articles that focus on the Kim Kardashian divorce. If group discussions and examples are light and current, students are more apt to make real-life connections to concepts thus making the concept their own.
Kahoot!Kahoot! is possibly the most successful game I've encountered. Teachers can load questions in a multiple choice, survey, or text format. Students can work in teams or individually in order to answer the questions posed. It's a great quick check for understanding, applying concepts, and reviewing terminology. Most of all, it's just FUN! My students ask to play constantly. And a little competition sparks engagement!
Glogster
Glogster is an online way for students to create mind maps, collages, and other visual assessments. It can be used as a culminating activity or as a simple response as it infused multi-modal demonstration of knowledge. In the student-created example below, students were assigned to read a selection of their choice and responded through Glogster. They wrote a summary, found five pictures that corresponded to the reading, and a video linking the concepts they learned. They then presented the glog to the class, generating some great discussion and sparking new ideas.
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