Increasing Comprehension:

Anticipatory Activities
Ruth Neely, Librarian rmn20@pitt.edu

let's take a minute...

Think to yourself:

How do I usually begin my class periods or bigger units?

Collaborate with a neighbor:

Which of these tactics are better than others? Why?

As a group we'll discuss:

What commonalities are present in these strategies?

Why are they valuable?

Gain attention from the beginning of a lesson When students aren't paying attention, how can they be learning? Activates background knowledge

"Attention" doesn't just mean listening or behavior management, it means asking questions and engaging in critical thinking.

What do they do?

Connect attention to the whole lesson (not just first five minutes) Not for entertainment, for scaffolding learning Turn the situation into student centered learning rather than teacher directed instruction

So what do they look like?

Demonstrations
Typically used to display a theory, concept or phenomenon Often used in math and high level sciences Help struggling readers and students with learning disabilities because it combines the subject with kinesthetic movement.
Consider using technology to enhance demonstrations of more difficult concepts. Try VisualThesaurus. com

Discrepant Events
Demonstrations that involve a surprising element or startling occurrence These events can help students: organize new information integrate with prior knowledge increase ability to retrieve it later makes lessons much more memorable

Visual Displays
This doesn't just mean posters or handouts - this means using technology!

Show videos, use smartboards, use websites that require participation, make art! This allows students to interpret, analyze and create visual displays - all part of visual literacy!
Consider creating a webquest for students to begin exploring the topic while exploring the aspect that interests them and building visual literacy skills.

Or a more simple option - simply display some powerful images on an overhead a discuss them as a class before the lesson.

Thought-Provoking Questions
Assist students in organizing new information Promotes interests because there is no one correct answer K-W-L technique asks: K - "What do I know?" W - "What do I want to know?" L - "What have I learned?"

In Content Areas
English Visual Displays through interviewsUse interviews with historical characters to help students build the background knowledge they need about an era before reading a book in that time frame. Social Studies Demonstration through guest speakersExperiential learning allows students to apply and connect knowledge when it is used. By having a guest speaker, say in politics, students can have this experience of in depth learning vicariously. Science DemonstrationsJaw dropping experiments can capture interest and also act like discrepant activities with their surprise element. The could also be like visual displays by triggering memory through motion and light. Math Graphic OrganizersHave students use graphic organizers (as are explained better earlier in the presentation series) in order to fully comprehend math texts and to create questions before the lesson.

take one more minute...

think to yourself... Of one way to incorporate an anticipatory into a lesson plan next week.

Share your idea with your neighbor.

Now we'll regroup and hear any particularly inspired ideas

Thank You!
Please contact me with questions at any time.

Ruth Neely Librarian rmn20@pitt.ed