Brandi Kalgren

Team Surfers

Table of Methods

June 26th, 2010

Instructional Topic:   Subject areas vary according to teaching method

GRADE LEVEL:    Fourth Grade

Teaching Method

Definition

Essential Learning Elements

Learning Strategy

Websites

Inquiry-Based Learning

 This model of teaching is question driven and actively engages students in investigations to construct their own understandings.  There is little emphasis on direct instruction.  Instead, inquiry learning emphasizes a communal creation and sharing of findings and understandings.  Students take responsibility for determining what they need to learn; indentifying resources and how to use them; reporting learning to peers; and assessing their processes in learning.  Inquiry implies a "need or want to know" premise. Inquiry is not so much seeking the right answer, but rather is focused on seeking appropriate resolutions to questions and issues.

Steps of an inquiry-based investigation include:

*Introduction to problem/question

*Research background knowledge on topic (if necessary)

*Formulation of hypothesis

*Development of scientific procedure to test the hypothesis

*Collection of data

*Organization and analysis of data

*Development of conclusion

*Presentation of findings to peers

 

  •    Activate Background/Prior Knowledge
  • Hook/Anticipatory Set
  • Clear Objectives
  • Direct Instruction
  • Guided Instruction
  • Independent Practice
  • Provide Feedback
  • Meaningful Learning
  • Assessment
  • Closure
  • Adaptations/Enrichment
  • Interdisciplinary

 Subject:  Science/Mathematics

Strategy:  Inquiry-Based Investigation

Strategy Description: 

An inquiry based investigation in science would begin with a real-world question, concern, or dilemma in which students will need to develop a plan to investigate and then implement their plan.  An example question would be:  How does amount of water and sunlight affect the growth of bean plants?

Students are actively engaged in the development of all steps of the inquiry process.  After direct instruction of the inquiry process, the students develop hypothesis:  More sunlight and a substantial amount of water is best for a bean plant’s growth.  Students would develop and record a procedure to to follow in their science notebooks, gather the needed tools, and begin their research.  The final step of the process is to organize data into a chart or table (math connection) and present the outcomes to their classmates. 

The teacher is present during all steps of the process to guide and direct the students when necessary, while providing positive feedback. 

Enrichment would involve allowing students to further explore other factors that would enhance a bean plant’s growth.

Websites About Method:

http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/mcvittiej/methods/inquiry.html

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html

http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/general-info/our-approach/intro-inquiry-learning/intro-inquiry-learning

Websites with Resources/Lessons:

http://www.mcrel.org/lesson-plans/science/sciencelessons.asp

http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=9596&page=R1

http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/lessonplans/index.cgi?show_record=11

 

 

 

Cooperative Learning

 Cooperative learning is the instructional practice of placing students into small groups and having them work together toward a common goal. Students are placed in small teams, each with students of different ability levels. While in small teams, the teacher uses a variety of learning activities to improve their understanding of a subject. Each member of a team is responsible, not only for learning what is taught, but also for helping his or her teammates learn.  Cooperative learning involves four basic steps:  presentation of content by teacher; teamwork; individual assessment/accountability; and team recognition.  When planning for cooperative learning, teachers need to develop an atmosphere that fosters group goals, individual accountability, and equal opportunities for success. 

There are many strategies that can be implemented when using cooperative learning:

Think-Pair-Share

Numbered Heads Together

Jigsaw

  • Activate Background/Prior Knowledge
  • Hook/Anticipatory Set
  • Clear Objectives
  • Direct Instruction
  • Guided Instruction
  • Independent Practice
  • Provide Feedback
  • Meaningful Learning
  • Assessment
  • Closure
  • Adaptations/Enrichment
  • Interdisciplinary

 Subject:  Social Studies

Strategy:  Jigsaw Cooperative Learning

This strategy can be used to teach social studies concepts/ideas and is particularly useful when teaching with a text book.  This strategy follows these steps:

1.   Introduction to lesson:  The teacher presents students with the topic and/or any background knowledge that is needed.  A question or objective for the lesson is also presented.

2.   Division into groups:  Students are divided into small groups of 4-5.  Each student within the team is given a topic to research or a section to read in the text book.  Their job is to become an “expert” on their topic/reading.

3.   Experts on the same topic from each group meet to discuss their findings and how to present their topic to the rest of the group.

4.   Experts return to their original groups to present their findings.  Each group member takes their turn.

5.   Assessment:  Students are individually assessed on what they have learned (can take many forms).  In addition, students evaluate how well their peers practiced teamwork and cooperation. 

**Throughout this process, the teacher is monitoring and providing positive feedback and guidance.

Websites About Method:

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/intech/cooperativelearning.htm

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/cooperative-learning/teaching-methods/48449.html?detoured=1

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/cooperative-learning/teaching-methods/48448.html?detoured=1

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/pro-dev/cooperative-learning/48531.html?detoured=1

Websites About the Strategy:

http://www.jigsaw.org/steps.htm

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/intech/cooperativelearning.htm#activities

 

Active Learning

This is model of instruction is student-centered and focuses the responsibility of learning on the students, rather than direct instruction from the teacher.  Learners do more than just listen, and are encouraged to become actively involved in the materials they are studying.  Teaching strategies focus on higher-order thinking tasks such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.  Projects and endeavors are designed to guide students in the process of self-exploration and organizing the learning material so that it is meaningful for them and their own lives.  Instructional activities can involve Think-Pair-Share, KWL charts, reciprocal teaching, and/or sq3r reading strategy.    

  • Activate Background/Prior Knowledge
  • Hook/Anticipatory Set
  • Clear Objectives
  • Direct Instruction
  • Guided Instruction
  • Independent Practice
  • Provide Feedback
  • Meaningful Learning
  • Assessment
  • Closure
  • Adaptations/Enrichment
  • Interdisciplinary

 Subject:  Reading

Strategy:  Reciprocal comprehension reading strategy

Reciprocal teaching is a strategy for shared readings in which responsibility is given to the students to lead and guide group discussions as the teacher merely acts as a facilitator.  Discussions are very interactive and focus on four meta-cognitive comprehension strategies (predicting, clarifying, summarizing, and questioning). Students are made directly aware of the comprehension strategies to be used each reading. A typical lesson follows this outline:

Review of past readings (in order to make connections to past experiences)

Making/discussing predictions for upcoming reading

Shared reading (read aloud by teacher as students follow in their own copies)

Student lead discussion of reading w/teacher facilitating

Independent written reflection of reading

Closing/summary of reading as whole group.

Enrichment would involve allowing students to go above and beyond the reading with special projects.  Adaptations would be tools that are traditionally provided for struggling readers.

Websites About Strategy:

www.southalabama.edu/coe/bset/surry/isd651/.../generative.ppt

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/atrisk/at6lk38.htm

Resources for Strategy:

http://www.asdk12.org/MiddleLink/HighFive/Reciprocal/