Friday, January 21, 2022

Instructional Strategies


Did you miss the live training? Click this link to watch a recording of the training before responding to the reflection questions below!

                    Instructional Strategies Training







12 comments:

  1. Grace Munoz, Trix Academy

    An instructional strategy I would like to implement from this training is the graffiti wall. It can often seem like a lot of effort to provide ways for scholar's to see the ideas of several other classmates at a time. In class discussions, only one scholar gets to share at a time, and there is usually only time for a few to answer. But with something like a graffiti wall, every scholar has a chance to share their ideas. Not only this, but they get to share them in a way that every other scholar gets to see/read it. My scholars need continual practice with finding ways to express their ideas. This is one way to make that possible in a positive way that can be a lot of fun. This can also promote a sense of class community, as scholars can work together to create a collection of their thoughts. I cannot wait to try out this idea in my room!

    There was a strategy explained using a video of a teacher circulating the room, checking student answers and having them progress as they completed problems correctly. Those who were incorrect were given feedback on how to proceed. This seems like a great way to check for understanding with independent student work. It is something I can imagine students getting highly engaged in and excited about when they see their progress. Those who are struggling can get quick, almost immediate feedback, since the teacher is circulating so regularly. I would love to try this out toward the end of a lesson or unit, once students are pretty familiar with the concepts. This way, many of them can breeze through, only having to stop for small errors or corrections. This would be a great way to see who really understands the concepts and who needs to be worked with further before proceeding.

    The instructional strategies shared all had in common that they promote rigor in the classroom. Not only were there strategies that were fast-paced to keep scholars engaged, but there were some that can be used to demand depth of thought that can really bring students in. Four corners, for example, is a way to physically engage in what is happening in the classroom, but can also be used to allow for a time of sharing from students to explain their thinking and support their choice. The strategy of quickly circling the room to give students feedback can give students a sense of urgency and meaning in their work. This also allows for students to work at a pace that is challenging for them. If every student is engaged at a level that brings them a challenge and is growing in that, then rigorous learning can take place. Students need to feel that they have a responsibility to engage deeply into what they are learning, and be able to recognize the payoff that their effort can produce.

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    1. I agree, graffiti wall is a great opportunity for all scholars to show off their work in a fun and meaningful way! I hope this works well in your classroom and sparks creativity!

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  2. Sandy Monnier TLJA Middle School

    A strategy I would like to implement in my classroom is the Graffiti Wall. As an ESL teacher, this would allow ALL of my students to participate in a discussion no matter their English language ability. They may choose to write, draw diagrams, or draw pictures.


    The Turn and Talk strategy is useful for ESL students because it allows them to activity use their English within a comfortable situation.


    The strategies increase rigor by constantly monitoring what the students understand, and to correct misunderstandings before they become out of hand.

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  3. 1. I would like to try the Four Corners strategy. I feel this will work because I will be able to see where my students are performing with a certain skill without the conflict of embarrassment. I would also be able to see if it's truly a match of mastery and continuous of reteaching.

    2. To check for understanding, I use the technique of Exit Tickets. I also use Exit Tickets as an assessment from time to time. I use this to piggy back off the strategies that I use in class currently or use with Four Corners when I get started with it. I can use Four Corners for a final feedback on the lesson.

    3. I will use these strategies to increase rigor by having the students to use the Stretch It instructional technique. I teach Math so this is a great way of allowing the student to explain thoroughly their understanding of the lesson or problem.

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  4. Repost from above...

    1. I would like to try the Four Corners strategy. I feel this will work because I will be able to see where my students are performing with a certain skill without the conflict of embarrassment. I would also be able to see if it's truly a match of mastery and continuous of reteaching.

    2. To check for understanding, I use the technique of Exit Tickets. I also use Exit Tickets as an assessment from time to time. I use this to piggy back off the strategies that I use in class currently or use with Four Corners when I get started with it. I can use Four Corners for final feedback or check in on the lesson.

    3. I will use these strategies to increase rigor by having the students to use the Stretch It instructional technique. I teach Math so this is a great way of allowing the student to explain thoroughly their understanding of the lesson or problem.

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  5. Charlene Long- Trix AcademyJanuary 21, 2022 at 2:03 PM

    1. I would like to implement the four corners strategy. My scholars will be excited to be up and moving around. They will be able to collaborate with others. I love the idea that someone shared in the session. She mentioned that she chooses one scholar to speak for the group. I loved this idea because it allows someone to show leadership skills as well encouraging more discussion in the groups.

    2. I would love to try the stop and jot strategy. My scholars are on a variety of different levels. Since I teach kindergarten some of my scholars would be drawing pictures while others draw and write words. This would allow all scholars, not matter their skill level to participate and show understanding of a concept. My scholars would also be excited to share their work and ideas with their classmates.

    3. As suggested I will use a variety of strategies. By using a variety of strategies it will help with engagement as well as excitement for the scholars. Scholars may not like one strategy but love another. Be flexible and using many strategies will appeal to more scholars. My goal is to develop that love for learning as well as creating that rigor of deep thought and explaining their thinking.

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    1. I really enjoy the stop and jot strategy! It is definitely a great tool for differentiation because it meets scholars where they are. I hope you find it to be a great resource for your classroom!

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  6. I attended the New Teacher Training session facilitated by Nikki Watts and I really enjoyed the workshop. Here are some strategies I learned

    1. I was really was impressed with the Stop and Jot strategy and am committed to try it in my classroom in the future as I strive to add rigor to my reading and language arts classes. I believe using this strategy will allow me to catch those students who do not complete understand the assignment before I learn it from their test results.

    2. However, I did implement Quizziz as a tool for math with my students and they loved it. My scholars are quite competitive and they loved being able to compete with each other on math quizzes. I will continue to use it.

    3. I have used four corners with scholars before. I normally assign each group to choose and scribe and a spokesperson, which makes a smooth response time since I have 27 students. They are already grouped for reading and math, so this makes it much easier to solicit their groups' responses.

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  7. I was a part of the Instructional strategies meeting with Nikki and I loved the workshop. I not only learned some new strategies, but I have already actively implemented some of them inside my classroom as part of our learning curriculum. Here are some takeaways that I had from the workshop.

    1. I started using the 4 corners strategy for not only fun morning meeting icebreakers, but also as a more engaging exit ticket to see where the students are in terms of their understanding of content. I feel like when they are thinking and moving at the same time, I have had more interactive discussions and the students are thinking a little more in-depth than they would if I simply just gave them a basic exit ticket.

    2. I have used Quizizz before and I will continue to utilize it. My students love competing with their peers and they get excited when they get the correct answer on a quiz and see the green symbol for their choices light up their answer. I have also used Quizizz as an exit ticket and a guided lesson set up for my students so that they get not only the content, but they can actively participate in that concept or idea more aptly than they were by getting a simple exit ticket at the end of a lesson.

    3. All of the strategies learned can increase student rigor. By simultaneously having them interact with students and causing them to share their thinking in the moment or understanding with H.O.T Questions, they begin to understand the curriculum in their own way and it increases conversation and stimulates their brains in a more diverse way.

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    2. I am so glad you enjoyed Nikki's training. I too LOVE 4 corners. It is such a great way to get kiddos moving, check-in for understanding, and break up the pattern of your day with something exciting!

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  8. Rachel Schaffner, 7th grade at Thea Bowman Leadership Academy

    One new instructional strategy that i would like to implement in my classroom is Classroom discussion's. I would like to try this as a lot of my students like to share their views and opinions on matters. This would allow my students the safety and structure to share their thoughts.

    The strategy that I would use to check for understanding is graffiti wall. i would be able to see if the majority of the students understand or have any questions. based on the data I can see if I need to reteach something or if a student has a question that they didn't want to ask me in person.

    The strategies that i would use that would increase rigor would be stretch. I would use stretch to increase rigor as the student can give me a basic answer but then i can then ask them questions. Some question I would ask are "why, how, or can you apply this to another problem or situation" This will cause the students to have to think and explain why they choose the answer but also to apply it to something else they have experience/ learned

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Ending the Year with a Bang!!

  Did you miss the live training? Check out the presentation here and then respond to the reflections below!! Which of these ideas will you...