Learning New Things!

I just LOVE learning new things!  My grade group and I were sitting in a training last week when we heard about a strategy used by another teacher at another school.  It sounded interesting and beneficial for our fourth graders.  So, we put our heads together and came up with something that would better meet the needs of our students.  I couldn't wait to try it with my students.  

First, we "designed" a placemat to put in the middle of each group (we have groups of 4).  We actually took a placemat and "revised" it.  Each student has a role and roles rotate with each question.

I am not an expert, but I see the benefits of using this with my students (we only practiced three times)!  100% of my students are engaged!  That includes ALL students!  All students have to listen because all students are accountable for the answer.  

First, my students "Close Read" a short fable (see my Blog below on "Reading Like a Detective").  After the 3rd read, I distributed the mats and questions.  Student #1 is the facilitator.  This student reads the question, restates the question, and makes sure everyone understands the question.  Student #2 Answers the question using words from the question.  This student also makes sure everyone is listening.  Student #3 agrees or disagrees (with evidence).  This student also makes sure everyone is listening. Student #4 summarizes or paraphrases the answer to the question.  

I call this  strategy a revised version of "Numbered Heads Together" (a Kagan structure) because I then choose a student and a group to answer the question.  

I then distribute another question and students rotate the placemat and repeat the activity.

Here is a video of my students using this strategy with a fable.  The question posed; "What is the theme of the passage, provide the evidence".

This strategy can be used with any question(s).  I also used it to review science concepts.  I took the higher level questions from one of our science units and typed them on cards.  

This is a new strategy (activity) I just started using these past two weeks! I'm open to feedback!