Active Learning Strategies for College Writing II End of Semester and Preparation for New Year

DATE

TARGETING

ADJUSTING

BALANCING End of Semester

SUPPORTING Create a book mark with anticipated responses for such questions so that when the occasion arises, the instructor only needs to give it a glance to prepare.

Preparing a Professional Statement indicating why Strategy 31-1: measurement procedures for some grades are more Convey a Sense of AuAfter Grades have Dignifying Grad- abstract then others, lessens the crunch a teacher may thority while Observing been Submitted ing Practice. Part feel when a student asks for evidence substantiating Fairness A their overall assessment.

When students are dissatisfied with a grade, reminding In addition to text book readings that offer modthem that they were provided a Procedure Agreement els of excellence, at the beginning of a unit inStrategy 31-1: that clearly identified expectations of excellent work, structors can also share work from those stuEstablishing Standards Dignifying Grad- can be used to reinforce a teachers decision. dents who in the past achieved high standards. of Excellence ing Practice. Part These models provide additional routes towards B success. New Semester Emphasizing the experience of learning and the quality of work over quantity of assessments, helps students focus on gathering knowledge over passing an evaluaStrategy 31-4: tion. Having this frank discussion with students at the Course Introduc- Emphasize Learning & Focus on Learning onset of a semester eases anxiety related to "making tion Reduce Test Anxiety Statement the grade". When students ask how many pages or words are needed to complete an assignment, reinforce the fact that they should look to meeting the points of the objective. In so doing, there will automatically be an appropriate word and page count.

Framing a course to meet the needs of its specific learners will help students identify a connection between their world and content goals thereby motivating them to achieve the task. Strategy 12-2: Build on Knowledge Know & Want to Base & Inspire Growth Know

Ask students why a College Writing course is important. Follow up by asking what they specifically want to learn in the course. This could be asked at the beginning of every new unit. It will establish requirements as well as intended learning outcomes for each student. The teacher can then mold subsequent lessons to meet those needs.

MY DOCS>GRAD FILES>EDUC 501>WK3> Week 5 Assignment 1. Checklist.dos santos

Active Learning Strategies for College Writing II End of Semester and Preparation for New Year

Motivate Interest in Reading

Strategy 12-4: Challenge Opener

Presenting a reading task as a mystery or a puzzle to solve makes resolving the questions at hand more appealing. The quest in itself motivates reluctant behavior.

Rather than having students read entire chapters for homework, section it off in class. Before hand, ask them to make an educated guess. For example, "What do you think are the Key Features of the Literacy Narrative? Write answers on board, then assign reading to check their predictions.

Unit Review

Review, Solidify Learning, Reinforce Community, & Inspire Confidence

As students work together to reinforce their As homework, tell students to review the basic knowledge about content they build camaraderie. As- structure of an essay and the key features of the sessing learning through the vice of a game elicits a particular genre unit and then create a bookmark Strategy 16-10: memorable and fun experience and lessens the anxiety to share in class. This way they will be prepared Face-Off Game in the face of a major assignment. with their own notes before playing the game.

Playing a game that involves physical activity breaks up Use to assess Vocabulary Knowledge by playing a the monotony and not only gets the blood flowing but modified version of Taboo that incorporates gesStrategy 16-5: also helps students to think critically about a subject in tures. Create individualized cards for each unit Re-Energize, Review, Physical Move- a new way; a fact that Kinesthetic learners in particular that include vocabulary words and synonyms for Engage Critical Thinking ment will immediately respond to. the game. Paralleling a learners real life interests with a research objective gives them something to learn that they care about. This will inspire those who may be less involved otherwise. Allow students to brainstorm topics with their heterogeneous teams. Then ask each team to vote on one topic. This will help the instructor to do their own necessary research before grading, without the possibility of becoming overwhelmed with 50+ topics.

Introduction to Scholarly Research

Inspire Students Personal Best

Strategy 24-2: Use Subject Matter to Learn About Life

MY DOCS>GRAD FILES>EDUC 501>WK3> Week 5 Assignment 1. Checklist.dos santos