Interrogating Text, EdPuzzle

Excellence in the Classroom: Interrogating the Text

Far too often when students are presented  with a textbook reading and are  assigned the questions at the end of the  section,  students will simply hen-and-peck to find the answer instead of actually reading the material.

  

I saw this technique used in an English class, but it could easily be used in any class.

• Students  were assigned a reading.
• Prior to reading the students were asked to formulate questions the text should be able to answer. In this case it was the next  section of a short story, but it works well for non-fiction too (students skim chapter, looking at graphs, headlines, prior knowledge, the key points and questions in the book, etc.)
• Then students were placed in pairs or triads where they shared their questions with each other.
• Students read the text individually (although you could easily adapt this to a paired reading activity) and jotted down answers.
• Finally, students discussed key points and their answers.

Why I loved this strategy:

1.  It taught students active reading skills, a skill that’s a must for college
2.  By actively involving the students it creates deeper learning and higher achievement
3.  Students formed their own meaning and came to understand it on their own
4. Students enjoyed the assignment
5. By walking around while students discussed, the teacher was provided with feedback and could provide feedback to the students
6.   It’s easy! It doesn’t require creating questions or “grading” student answer

Ideas for the Classroom: EdPuzzle

I learned about EdPuzzle from Stacey Roshan (@buddyxo) an expert on flipping class, but it also has many applications for traditional classes as well.

EdPuzzle allows you to add your voice and questions to educational videos (Khan Academy, YouTube, Learn  Zillion, TED, CrashCourse, etc.) Once you’ve found the video, EdPuzzle allows  you to insert your own voice comments and you can create a questions that the students answer (interactively at various points of the video) while the video plays.

EdPuzzle could easily be used for homework assignments, flipping your class, anytime you watch a video in class, when you’re going to be absent and want the students to watch a video, and for students creating their own EdPuzzles. By the way, you can search already created EdPuzzles too.

Here’s an example: https://edpuzzle.com/media/543a777d95c4cd1622d0fd61/edit

Here’s a quick demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTQpvkQdQOw 

One problem you need a microphone on your computer to record audio.

Administrative Notes

Please remember that when posting materials throughout the building, please keep postings to the tack strips and appropriate bulletin boards (we’ve ordered more tack strips).

Whacky schedule for the last half of the week.

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

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

“Comment box”: http://goo.gl/forms/KAHNoGf5D2

I’m really excited about tonight’s #vachat. Wade Whitehead. Wade serves on the SOL Innovation Committee for the Department of Education. The committee is working to imagine the next generation of assessments and accountability. This is a great opportunity for you to have your voice heard. Join us at 8pm as we discuss improving standards, assessments and accountability.

What I’m Reading

What Happened to Creativity?

Eight Engaging Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom to Create Lessons that Aren’t Boring  

Cougar Communication: Reading, Writing and the Three Step Rubric

Excellence in Education: Reading and Writing Every Day

We’re all reading and writing teachers. No skill is as important to success in college or the workforce as literacy. As educators we should strive to include reading and writing skills in our classroom every day.

Both reading and writing can take many forms. Some examples of the various reading I saw in classrooms this past week:

• Directions and rules in PE’s recreation unit
• Comparing three flood stories in World History I
• Reading from Martin Luther’s 95 Theses in World History I
• Relating the importance of the Magna Carta to today’s government
• Gulliver’s Travels and editing paragraphs in English classes

                                                          

Reading and writing are, of course, real-life skills (for more on their value http://goo.gl/nAVGDp), but they are also effective ways of providing instruction and assessing understanding. Additionally, reading and writing naturally lend themselves to scaffolded instruction and differentiation. Let’s strive to make reading and writing part of every lesson plan.

Ideas for the Classroom: 3 Step Rubric

The 3 Step Rubric is a great time-saver and an even greater means of providing meaningful feedback. In brief the three steps are:

1a. A rubric is shared with the students. Work samples are provided and students can evaluate these based on the rubric.

1b: As a class create a rubric.

2: Students self-assess (score and comment) their assessment using the rubric.

3. The teacher provides feedback using the rubric. Instead of making comments on all parts of the assessment and rubric, you only comment where the differences between the student grade your grade exist. This process enables you to more intently focus your time on areas where disagreement exist and where feedback is most important.

Administrative Notes

It’s a busy week for me in regards to meetings, especially eligibilities. I was hoping to touch base with those of you whom I observed last week, but it’ll be tough for me to do so.

Apparently, there was an issue with either my ipad, the web connectivity. or my program so some of you may not have received electronic feedback from my quick visit. I’ll be trying to send these out. Sorry for the confusion.

It was great to see so many teachers using the small group flex time to remediate their students. The individualized attention/academic assistance you provided to your students was invaluable. Hopefully, this will be time well spent.

I know the snow days have thrown everyone for a loop, especially you as teachers. You’re flexibility in overcoming such challenges demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to your craft and your students.

Tweet of the Week

Upcoming Schedule

Tuesday, Feb 4                     Boys Basketball Home vs Eastern View (Girls Away)

                                             Scholastic Bowl Regionals @ Poquoson

       FLEX—Social Studies Expedited Retakes

Wednesday, Feb 5               Signing Day Ceremony

                                            Winter Track @ FHS

                                            Girls Basketball vs J. Monroe (Boys Away)                                              

       Math Expedited Retakes (these take a while)                        

                                                                                                                                                        Thursday, Feb 6                    Conference Wrestling at Culpeper

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                   

Friday, Feb 7                         Girls Basketball (Senior Night) vs FHS (Boys Away)                                                                 

Some Interesting Reads

A Letter to Teachers http://goo.gl/C6V5S8

Five Powerful Questions Teachers Can Ask Students http://goo.gl/dr3qkD

Criticizing (common criticisms) of Praise http://goo.gl/qWlZmR

High Schools: Grow Up! http://goo.gl/iHQs7e

38 Test Questions That Are Wrong, But Oh So Right http://www.negpoz.com/38-test-answers-100-wrong-oh-right-time/ (This one is fun and purely for enjoyment)