Power Planning: Developing Effective Lessons for ALL Learners Presented by Heather Sparks, NBCT 2009 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Taft Middle School

Let’s Describe a… StudentLearner –Passive –Bored –Told what to think –Typically unmotivated –Focused on the grade –Active –Engaged –An independent thinker –Internally motivated –Focused on the learning

Get Ready… Focus on the objective. Begin with the end in mind. Consider your learners. Consult additional resources –Colleagues –Professional organizations –Internet

Get Set… Prepare all lesson materials in advance. Minimize opportunities for “pitfalls.” Incorporate former routines if possible.

Go! 1.Anticipatory set 2.Objective or purpose 3.Instructional input 4.Modeling 5.Check for understanding 6.Guided practice 7.Closure

Check for Understanding Signaled responses: –Thumbs up/thumbs down –Scale of five –White board responses –Quick notes –Ticket out the door

Now What? A lesson ends earlier than you expected, so you… A. Give the class “free time” B. Assign additional work C. Tell the students to put their heads down D. Use a sponge to soak up the time

Sponges Effective sponges have five characteristics. They are: 1. Fun, 2. Based on prior learner knowledge, 3. Used by the whole class or individuals, 4. Easily implemented, 5. Capable of being implemented for varying lengths of time.

Math Mental math >Add the number of months in a year plus the number of wheels on a tricycle. Play Target >The target is 24. Write an expression: e.g., 30 – 6 or 3 x 8 or 36/3 x 2

Science Play Classify  Give the students a group of objects. Challenge them to find as many subgroups as possible. Flashlight, a penny, and a stapler

Language Arts The List Game: Things that fly Who can find something in the room that has a long a or short a sound?

Social Studies Guess the country or state >I’m thinking of a state that borders Canada and Lake Superior, and is known for its 10,000 lakes.

Other Sponge Ideas… ‘I Spy’ Riddles Mind benders Word games Oral alphabetizing Synonyms, homonyms, vocabulary words Skip-counting Flash cards

Take a Deep Breath & Enjoy!

Contact Heather at Taft MS