Active Learning Strategies

From New Teacher Handbook

Active learning in the classroom happens when students work with the content materials and new concepts during the instruction process. Rather than being passive learners, students in the active learning model engage fully in the learning process.

Journal Writing

Students are asked content-based questions that require integration of course content. Students are directed to discuss these questions in a daily journal. Daily journals are great focusing activities for the beginning of class.

Half-Sheet Response

The half-sheet provides a simple way to collect written feedback on student learning. The teacher stops instruction to ask two questions: 1) What is the most important thing you have learning during today’s class? 2) What questions remain unanswered?

Clarification Break or Ten-Two

For each ten minutes or so of active teaching, stop and ask students to review their notes. Walk around the room during this time to allow students to ask questions in an informal setting.

Think, Pair, Share

Students are asked to think about a question that the teacher asked. Then they choose another person to work with and the two discuss and share ideas. Then each group is given the chance to share their ideas with the whole group.

Concept Mapping

Concept maps are diagrams showing the learning connections students have made between a major concept and other concepts in the lesson or unit.

Case Studies

Case studies are stories which require students to investigate and analyze the available information. Case studies require active involvement and problem solving.

Jigsaw

The jigsaw activity is a way of sharing reading. It requires that each student or team of students read a section and then teach that section to the rest of the class. The jigsaw is a great alternative to lecture or individual readings.

Muddiest Point

The muddiest point activity is a variation of the half-sheet response. The students are asked to write down a quick response to the questions “What was the muddiest point of today’s class?” This is a great concluding activity and can be the basis for the next day’s review.

Learning buddy

The Learning Buddy is an activity the quickly pairs your students for discussion. It also allows you to quickly change pairs within an activity. The diagram used allows you to review unit concepts.

Graffiti Boards

The Graffiti Boards are a great preassessment or post assessment tool. They give students an opportunity to collectively brainstorm around specific vocabulary or topics.