Megan Lotti and Lisa Scott, Rincon Vista Middle School The Art of Juggling Fire: Engagement Strategies for the Secondary Clasroom Megan Lotti and Lisa Scott, Rincon Vista Middle School

Bell Work Think about what engagement strategies have worked best for you and which ones do not. Share with your shoulder partner.

Which teacher do you hope you are? Classroom #1 Classroom #2

The Tools You Need Classroom culture to support student engagement Engagement strategies for the secondary classroom Higher level questioning techniques

“Magic” Foldable Take the yellow paper and weave the blue pieces into the cut areas. You can use this foldable to take notes throughout the presentation.

Tool 1: Classroom Culture “We need to eliminate school and classroom cultures based on fear, where students experience threats, embarrassment and/or violence and where learning is secondary to safety,” Barkley said. “However, when students exhibit characteristics of boredom, teachers need to raise the anxiety level by increasing requirements through additional rigor or depth of learning.” -Steve Barkley The Sweet Spot of Engagement Boosts Student Learning, Barkleypd.com Tool 1: Classroom Culture

Comfort Level Where do you think engaged learning happens? We are shooting for behavioral engagement: “when students exhibit on-task behaviors, including persistence with challenging tasks, asking questions and requesting help”

Classroom Culture Classroom Norms - how do you want students to interact with one another and with you? Courteous - please and thank you Avoid put-downs - “just kidding” Mutual Respect - listen and be listened to Feedback - timely and positive Positive Learning Environment - create a nurturing environment where students aren’t afraid of taking risks.

Ideas for Classroom Culture Get To Know Your Students: “Family Meeting” Daily Greeting Listen to their needs Questioning: “Share with your neighbor before sharing with me” -relieves anxiety and builds confidence “Phone a friend” - allows students to get help without pressure Prompting - help student get to the answer

Tool 2: Engagement Strategies “Much of your success as an educator has to do with your attitude towards teaching and towards your kids. The rest of your success if based on your willingness to relentlessly search in the classroom and then having the guts to do it.” -Dave Burgess “ Teach Like a Pirate” Tool 2: Engagement Strategies

Engagement from Day One Introduce yourself Family Interests Favorite Things

Who is Mrs. Lotti? My family

Engagement from Day One Have students introduce themselves to you Who Am I collage or poem, letter, selfie portrait Give a subject specific assignment Friendly letter- English Create a classroom community- Social Studies Experiment- Science Survey and Number Graph- Math

Setting the Stage Four Word Build Carousel

Four Word Build On your paper, write four words that answer- What is engagement?

Explaining/Learning Partner Response Written Response

Checking for Understanding Whiteboards

Checking for Understanding

Closure Purpose: Closure allows students to summarize main ideas, evaluate class processes, answer questions posed at the beginning of the lesson, and link to both the past and the future. A Great Resource: “40 Ways to Leave a Lesson”

Closure Ideas: Exit Pass Quick Write/Doodle Whip Around Ball Pass 3, 2, 1 Statements Element of Surprise One Word Summary**

Tool 3: Questioning Techniques “Effective questioning brings insight, which fuels curiosity, which cultivates wisdom.” -Chip Bell Tool 3: Questioning Techniques

Promoting Learning through Questioning

Encouraging Questions Question Stems Ask for Clarification- Will you explain that again? I have a question Disagreeing- I do not agree with you because... Affirming Key Point: Don’t stop calling on students just because someone said the right answer!!

Elaborate Answers Holding the Floor- What I was trying to say…., If I could finish my thought... Expressing Polite Disagreement-My idea is slightly different, I don’t entirely agree Fat Question- Answer in no less than 15 words, use particular phrases

Closure- Outcome Statements Complete two of the following statements in detail: I now understand how to… I can see connections between… I would like help with...

Contact Information Megan Lotti lottim@vailschooldistrict.org Lisa Scott scottm@vailschooldistrict.org

Sources Active Engagement Strategies for Each Direct Instruction Component http://www.shastacoe.org/uploaded/dept/is/district_support/active_engagement_strategies_3-17-09.pdf Effective Questioning and Classroom Talk http://www.nsead.org/downloads/Effective_Questioning&Talk.pdf Student Engagement Strategies for High School Teachers https://www.centergrove.k12.in.us/cms/lib/.../Domain/.../EngagementStrategiesHS.ppt The Sweet Spot of Engagement http://barkleypd.com/blog/the-sweet-spot-of-engagement-boosts-student-learning/ 40 Ways to Leave a Lesson http://www.stma.k12.mn.us/documents/DW/Q_Comp/40_ways_to_leave_a_lesson.pdf