Chunk and Chew

Cougar Communication

Excellence in Education: Chunk and Chew

Over the past few weeks I’ve seen several great examples of interactive lectures or chunk and chew learning. Because students can be overwhelmed with too much information, it’s important to give students time to process and interact with content by giving it to them in manageable chunks and providing them with opportunities to chew on it. Just as importantly, while students were chewing on the content, teachers used that time to listen for misconceptions or misunderstandings (formatively assessing students) while providing feedback.

Some Chewing Activities I observed:

1. Turn-n-talk: Teacher provides a question and student partners respond and discuss.
2. Quick writes: Students are given a writing prompt or question and are given a minute or two to write answers. Students can then share answers with others or with the class. One possible quick write structure: Have students respond to I was surprised that…..I learned that….I wonder about…..
3. Creating questions: Students are provided with index cards and are asked to formulate questions or ask for clarification. After collecting the cards, the teacher can use the questions to close class. If students need help developing questions, you may simply ask, “What’s the most confusing thing?” or “What do I need to do a better job of explaining?”
4. Graphic organizer: At the beginning of the class, have students develop a graphic organizer strategy (different students chose different strategies: chart, web, skeleton notes and were grouped accordingly). The lesson was chunked and students were provided opportunities to add to their graphic organizer and share with their new partners (students who chose the same graphic organizer).

Administrative Notes

I’ll be attending the National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference on Wednesday – Saturday. Of course, I’ll be checking my email, twitter and phone.

Positive Referral Link: http://goo.gl/s0KXRB

Work Order Request Form: http://goo.gl/H7hFwK

Comment Box: http://goo.gl/forms/KAHNoGf5D2

First marking period ends on 2/17

Grades are due at 8 a.m. on 2/24

Some upcoming dates:

April 30: Honor Breakfast (Top Decile)

May 17: Scholarship Banquet

May 18: Senior Picnic

May 26/27: Now sent in stone: Senior Exams

May 29 @ 6pm: Graduation

May 29 (full day) and  June 1: Exams (as it stands now)

Some upcoming edcamps (opt-out credit can be earned):

February 21: Edcamp NOVA (Ashburn): I’m registered but unable to go because I’ll be at another conference http://edcampnova.org/

March 21: Edcamp Arlington http://edcamparlington.org/

                    Edcamp RVA (Richmond)

April 18: Edcamp Delaware (Wilmington)

Still waiting for more info about Edcamp MetroDC and Edcamp95 (Virginia/Prince William maybe)

What I’m Reading

These Are The Ten Best Teachers in the World

Before You Assign Homework, What Your Students Wish You Knew

“That’s So Gay,” From A Teacher’s Perspective

  

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