Karen Latto www.karenlatto.com Linking Knowledge From Practical Exploration To Approaches For GCSE (9-1) Exam Questions Karen Latto www.karenlatto.com

Preparing for the exam What is revision? The study of work you have done, in order to prepare for an exam https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/revision

Revision strategies Prof John Dunlovsky, a psychologist conducted research into the effectiveness of the most popular and most commonly used revision strategies. Classify the revision strategies under the following headings High impact Medium impact Low impact

Revision strategies High impact Medium impact Low impact Practice testing - Self-testing to check knowledge - especially using flash cards Elaborative interrogation - being able to explain a point or fact Summarising - writing summaries of texts as they are read Distributed practice - spreading out study over time Self-explanation - how a problem was solved Highlighting/underlining Interleaved practice - switching between different kinds of problems Keyword mnemonics - choosing a word to associate with information Imagery - forming mental pictures while reading or listening Re-reading

Preparing for the exam There are 3 key areas that students need to know in preparation for the exam: Content Commands Process

Exam process This is everything about how to do the exam. Timing Answer booklets Question options Question order

Commands Command words are the words in the question which tell the students what to do. These also determine how difficult a question is. Command words are based on Blooms Taxonomy.

Commands Whilst learning preferences (VAK) has been debunked there is merit in completing tasks in different ways. Choose a selection of command words which may appear in the GCSE (9-1) exam paper. Write a definition for each Create a freeze frame showing the definition Turn the freeze frame into a hand gesture Draw an icon to represent the hand gesture

Content GCSE drama students must know and understand the following: Characteristics of performance text(s) and dramatic work(s), including: Genre Structure Character form and style Language Stage directions

Content GCSE drama students must know and understand the following: How meaning is interpreted and communicated through: performance conventions use of performance space and spatial relationships on stage relationships between performers and audience the design of: set (including props), costume, lighting and sound actor’s vocal and physical interpretation of character

Content GCSE drama students must know and understand the following: Social, historical and cultural contexts including the theatrical conventions of the period in which the performance texts were created The drama and theatre terminology used by theatre makers and how to use it appropriately The role of theatre makers in contemporary professional practice, including: performer director designer

Revision strategies High impact Medium impact Practice testing - Self-testing to check knowledge - especially using flash cards Elaborative interrogation - being able to explain a point or fact Distributed practice - spreading out study over time Self-explanation - how a problem was solved Interleaved practice - switching between different kinds of problems

Kagan Learning Kagan Structures are scientifically research based as well as backed by classroom evidence. Among the many positive findings of this field or research are improved academic achievement, improved ethnic and race relations, improved social skills and social relations, and increased liking for self, others, and school. The Kagan Structures have proven themselves effective teaching and learning tools for cooperative learning, multiple intelligences, character education, language learning, and emotional intelligence. 

Kagan Learning The basic premise behind the work is that students learn better when they work collaboratively It is very likely that you are using some Kagan activities in your teaching.

Teacher’s toolkit activities This book is good to individual ideas and is similar to kagan structures but are less formalised into a learning system My two favourites for revision are: Word Ping-pong Aeroplanes and snowballs

Game mechanics Game mechanics utilises Interleaved practice – students have to go between playing the game and recalling learning. Students can adapt popular games or they can create their own games