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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