Technique/Strategy

List-Group-Label
Source

Professor
Daniels






Definition

Frontloading activity that is good for activating prior knowledge.
Students list everything they know about a topic (either alone or
with a partner). Then they categorize the information into the list
according to the ideas that seem to go together. Finally they
name (or label) those categories.





Thoughts on implementation

It is a strategy that is useful when the students know at least a
little something about the topic they are brainstorming.
Sometimes after each section, I will extend that part as a whole
group. In other words, I have pairs list everything they know and
then we list everything we know on the board as a class.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?

Activate prior knowledge.
Make sure everyone is starting from the same knowledge foundation.
Provides the language of the topic to English learners.







Technique/Strategy


Tea Party

Source


When Kids Cant
Read Teachers
Can Do by
Kylene Beers




Definition

Put highlights from content I want to teach on strips of paper, pas the
strips out to students, have students circulate around the room and read
their strips out loud to classmates.




Thoughts on implementation

Give everyone a chance to read his/her strips silently first; remind
students to ask a peer or the teacher for help with pronunciation if
necessary.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


Frontload information about a new concept or new content by exposing students to the main ideas. To help students generate a min idea of gist
statement about the new content.








Technique/Strategy



Student reflection on teachers feedback



Source



Professor
Stowell



Definition


After teacher hands back a piece of writing with feedback, students will
reflect on the teachers comments. After they write a short reflection,
students will be able to revise a portion of their writing and resubmit for a
final grade.




Thoughts on implementation


This is a good strategy when students are writing a summative
assessment, or final project that can have a huge impact on their grade. I
will implement this strategy at the end of a unit in order to help my
students improve on their work.

What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this strategy is to allow students to reflect on their work and find ways to improve their work. Not only do they think about their work, but
they also have a chance to revise and see the positive impact it has when they go back to edit their work.




Technique/Strategy

Creative Story Maps


Source


Professor
Stowell




Definition

This is free writing activity where students can use any shape (heart,
pizza, star, etc.) to fill in with words. It is also a creative way for
brainstorming ideas before writing a narrative essay. Students can jot
down key words or phrases about their experiences, ideas, holidays,
music, embarrassing stories/situations in a very creative ways.




Thoughts on implementation

I will use this technique as a quickwrite or a pre-writing activity before
students begin a writing piece.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this technique is for students to engage in a creative way to get their thoughts on paper. This will also help them organize their thoughts
and zero-in on a writing topic.







Technique/Strategy


Shades of Meaning




Source


Professor
Stowell





Definition


Students will start with an adjective, and then they will find synonyms
that give deeper meaning to the word.
Examples: Mean, evil, despicable
Whisper, hush
Yell, scream





Thoughts on implementation


This strategy will help English learners with vocabulary development. It
will also help students to add variety and elaborate on their writing.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal for this strategy is for students to expand their vocabulary and to add more meaning and complexity to their writing.

Technique/Strategy


Gallery Walk



Source

Various
professors






Definition


There are posters around the room with questions/content, where
students walk around and visit each poster. A discussion and/or activity
follows.





Thoughts on implementation


I will have the posters with relevant content questions posted. Each
student is required to visit all the posters and be prepared to participate
in a follow up discussion. This can be done for any content area.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal is to present content in a different way. Also, for students to think critically in an interactive and creative way. This technique appeals to
various types of learners and also provides opportunities for students to interact with the content.







Technique/Strategy


Timeline of Personal Writing History





Source


Professor
Stowell





Definition


Using a timeline, students will write about both positive and negative
experiences with writing in their lives. The positive writing experiences go
on the top of the timeline, and the negative writing experiences go on the
bottom. Their writing experiences will be written in chronological order.




Thoughts on implementation


This is a great beginning of the year activity in order for the teacher to
get information about the students background in writing. This is also a
good way to activate prior knowledge and experiences in writing.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?

For teachers to become informed about the types of experiences students have with writing.
Teachers can turn the negative experiences into positive ones by the end of the academic year.



Technique/Strategy Source


Mini Summary Book




Professor Dra.
Hernndez






Definition


Before reading a chapter book, students will create a book foldable. For
each chapter, students will write a summary, an illustration, and
vocabulary.





Thoughts on implementation


This strategy will help students with vocabulary acquisition and
developing their writing skills. This will also help English learners since
they will integrate reading, writing, and also listening and speaking
since I will have students share their summary and drawing in small
groups.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this strategy is for students to gain the content in a creative and collaborative way. Students will be able to practice all language
domains (listening, speaking, writing, and reading). This is beneficial strategy for English language learners too.






Technique/Strategy Source



Poster of Knowledge





Professor Dra.
Hernndez





Definition


There is a long strip of butcher paper where students get to draw
pictures/images, write down important vocabulary, or any other
pertinent information relating to any concept the teacher asks about.




Thoughts on implementation


I will use this technique as a way to activate prior knowledge before
beginning a lesson. This is also a great activity where students can
collaborate with one another, if the poster is at the center of the
classroom and students can each add a piece of information.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this technique is to activate prior knowledge and help students learn the content through creative ways. Once through the lesson, I
can use this technique as a way to make connections to their prior knowledge.








Technique/Strategy

Fotovoz



Source


Professor Dra.
Hernndez




Definition

Through the use of photographs and narration, students will tell their
personal story through visual imagery.





Thoughts on implementation

I will use this at the beginning of the year as a way for me to get to know
my students more. This will serve as a stepping stone to build a good
rapport with my students.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?

The goal is to use this as a powerful tool for understanding the life and culture of my students. Having this background knowledge, I will be able to
better serve the needs of my students.





Technique/Strategy Source



4 Dimension Paper Bag




Professor Dra.
Hernndez






Definition

Students use a brown, lunch paper bag and add a title, symbols, labels,
and key words to represent a theme or answer essential questions.






Thoughts on implementation

This is a great hands-on activity students can do when learning content.
If the content presents various points of view, students can show the
differences and their understanding on each side. Students will them
present their bags either to the whole class or in small groups.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?

The goal of this technique is for students to apply their knowledge of the content in a creative, hands-on manner.










Technique/Strategy


Introduce a Peer via Notecard
Source

Professor
Ochanji





Definition

Students use a notecard and write the name, likes, and something
unknown about one of their peers. Then they introduce each other to the
class.






Thoughts on implementation

This is a good beginning of the year mixer in order for students to learn
about one another. This gives them a chance to talk, listen, and write.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this technique is for students to interact with each other on the first day of class. This also helps alleviate the stress and anxiety some
students have when they have to introduce themselves to the class.






Technique/Strategy Source


Inspiration Concept Maps



Professor
Ochanji




Definition

The Inspiration Software allows students to easily create concept maps
that will enhance their learning of the content. Concept maps are tools
that support concept development and retention. In addition, it is a visual
method of learning that shows how many ideas are related.






Thoughts on implementation

One way students can show their understanding of the content is to
create a concept map that connects various themes together. They can
do this as a follow up activity once they finish reading an article or
informational text.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this strategy is for students to engage in various ways that will show their understanding of the content. This strategy also provides a
visual for students where they can easily see the connections.








Technique/Strategy


WebQuest


Source


Professor
Ochanji





Definition

A WebQuest is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all of
the information that learners work with comes from the web.





Thoughts on implementation

This is one way to differentiate and vary the lesson. It is also a crucial
component in integration technology into the classroom. I will use a
WebQuest in my classroom so my students can learn the importance of
following direction step by step and researching information online.
What is the goal of this technique or strategy?


The goal of this teaching strategy is to integrate technology into the classroom. The students will benefit from using a WebQuest because they will
learn valuable skills that will help them become productive world citizens of the 21
st
century. Students will follow instructions step by step and they
will look at various online resources and choose the one that best fits their needs in order to accomplish the task.