Be the Author: Students are used to writing stories and essays - So provide choice and have them write other things: some examples include - Rule Book for a game they like, Animal Care Guide for a pet, Owners Manual for their body, Job Description for their dream career, Help Wanted Ads for tasks that must be completed in the classroom or school, Menus for their favorite meals or Gallery Guides for their artwork. Be the Author activities can be completed individually, with a partner or in a group.
Pick a G.O., Any G.O.!: In the beginning of the year, make sure students gain lots of experience with multiple graphic organizers: Venn diagrams, Problem/Solution grids, KWLs, Concept Maps, T charts, etc. Then create a Pick a G.O.! Work Station where students can choose the graphic organizer that suits their objective best.
Bonus Questions: On the bottom of homework, center work, tests and quizzes, add an optional Bonus Question - "Is there anything else you would like to tell about ______________?" Fill in whatever you are assessing so students can add some additional learning points or information.
Lottery Cup: When assigning a project or homework, place due dates in a cup and ask a student to pick one - That is the winner! You can also add details to the lottery cup like type of project or themes!
Help by Not Helping (A habit of helplessness contributes to an inability to generate creative solutions and the fear of failing): Provide concise directions and hand off responsibility to students. If they still have questions, they can: Check in with another group, Hang a post-it note question on the board and another student can answer it, Work with a peer, Come up with a new idea that works for them Schedule a Teacher conference (Teacher can only answer Yes or No to a question.
Pick a G.O., Any G.O.!: In the beginning of the year, make sure students gain lots of experience with multiple graphic organizers: Venn diagrams, Problem/Solution grids, KWLs, Concept Maps, T charts, etc. Then create a Pick a G.O.! Work Station where students can choose the graphic organizer that suits their objective best.
Bonus Questions: On the bottom of homework, center work, tests and quizzes, add an optional Bonus Question - "Is there anything else you would like to tell about ______________?" Fill in whatever you are assessing so students can add some additional learning points or information.
Lottery Cup: When assigning a project or homework, place due dates in a cup and ask a student to pick one - That is the winner! You can also add details to the lottery cup like type of project or themes!
Help by Not Helping (A habit of helplessness contributes to an inability to generate creative solutions and the fear of failing): Provide concise directions and hand off responsibility to students. If they still have questions, they can: Check in with another group, Hang a post-it note question on the board and another student can answer it, Work with a peer, Come up with a new idea that works for them Schedule a Teacher conference (Teacher can only answer Yes or No to a question.