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How to extend and apply learning in the classroom

Activities to extend and apply learning

As educators, we are always looking for ways to help our students deepen their understanding and apply their learning in meaningful ways. Traditional teaching methods like lectures and worksheets can only take us so far, which is why it’s important to incorporate creative and engaging activities that allow students to explore their own ideas and perspectives. Journaling, sketch-to-stretch, and writing a letter are three such activities that can help students extend and apply their learning in the classroom. In this blog post, we will explore each of these activities in more detail, including their benefits and how they can be integrated into your teaching practice. Whether you’re looking to foster creativity, develop communication skills, or encourage critical thinking, these activities are sure to engage your students and help them take their learning to the next level.

Extend and Apply Learning with Journaling:

Journaling in the classroom is a writing practice where students record their thoughts, feelings, and reflections on a particular topic, concept, or learning experience. The purpose of journaling is to encourage students to think critically and creatively, to explore their own ideas and perspectives, and to develop their writing skills.

Journaling can take many different forms in the classroom, depending on the teacher’s goals and objectives. For example, students might keep a daily journal where they write about their experiences, observations, and reflections on a particular topic or theme. Alternatively, students might use journals to respond to specific prompts or questions related to a particular lesson or unit of study.

The benefits of journaling in the classroom are numerous. It can help students develop their writing skills, build self-awareness and self-reflection, enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and foster creativity and self-expression. Additionally, journaling can help students develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their learning, and the world around them.

Extend and Apply Learning with Sketch-to-stretch

Sketch-to-stretch is a classroom activity that encourages students to use their creativity and imagination to visualize a story or concept through drawing. The purpose of sketch-to-stretch is to help students deepen their understanding of a text or topic by using a different form of expression – drawing – to represent their thoughts and ideas.

During a sketch-to-stretch activity, students are typically given a prompt or question related to a text or concept, and are asked to create a drawing that represents their understanding or interpretation of the prompt. For example, students might be asked to sketch a scene from a book they have read, or to draw a visual representation of a scientific concept they have learned.

Sketch-to-stretch is a valuable classroom activity because it engages students in a different mode of thinking and expression than traditional writing or discussion. It can be especially beneficial for students who struggle with verbal expression, as it allows them to use their visual and spatial intelligence to represent their understanding of a concept.

Furthermore, sketch-to-stretch encourages students to engage with the material on a deeper level, as they must consider the visual elements of a story or concept and how they can represent those elements in a drawing. This can lead to a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the material, and can also help students develop their creativity and artistic skills.

Extend and Apply Learning with Letter Writing

Writing a letter can be a powerful way for students to extend and apply their learning in the classroom. When students write a letter, they must consider their audience, purpose, and message, which requires them to think critically and reflect on what they have learned. Here are some ways that writing a letter can extend and apply learning in the classroom:

  1. Applying knowledge: When students write a letter, they must use the information and skills they have learned in class to communicate effectively. For example, if students are learning about persuasive writing, they can apply this knowledge by writing a persuasive letter to a principal or elected official.
  2. Developing empathy: Writing a letter can also help students develop empathy and understanding for others. For example, if students are learning about a particular historical event, they can write a letter from the perspective of someone who experienced that event, which can help them develop a deeper understanding of the impact it had on individuals and communities.
  3. Engaging in real-world issues: Writing a letter can also help students engage with real-world issues and become active citizens. For example, if students are learning about environmental issues, they can write a letter to a local politician or community leader advocating for change.
  4. Developing communication skills: Finally, writing a letter can help students develop their communication skills, including writing, grammar, and vocabulary. By practicing writing letters, students can improve their ability to express themselves clearly and effectively, which can benefit them in all areas of their academic and personal lives.

Overall, writing a letter is a powerful way for students to apply and extend their learning in the classroom, and can also help them develop important skills and understandings that will benefit them throughout their lives

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How can teachers use bump it up walls in the classroom?

howcanteachersusebumpitupwalls

Bump it up walls can be a great tool for teachers to use in the classroom to help students monitor and improve their learning. Here are some ways that teachers can use bump it up walls in the classroom:

  1. Setting learning goals: Teachers can use bump it up walls to set learning goals and show students the progression of their learning. By displaying examples of work at different levels of achievement, teachers can help students identify where they are in their learning and set goals for improvement.
  2. Providing feedback: Teachers can use bump it up walls in the classroom to provide feedback on student work. By displaying examples of work at different levels, teachers can highlight what students are doing well and where they need to improve. This can be particularly helpful when providing formative feedback that is focused on improving student learning.
  3. Encouraging self-reflection: Bump it up walls can also be used to encourage students to reflect on their own learning. By displaying examples of work at different levels, students can compare their own work to the examples and identify areas where they need to improve. This can help students take ownership of their learning and become more self-directed learners.
  4. Supporting differentiation: Bump it up walls can be used to support differentiation in the classroom. By displaying examples of work at different levels, teachers can provide students with a clear understanding of what is expected at each level of achievement. This can help students work at their own pace and provide them with a sense of achievement as they move up the levels.
  5. Promoting peer learning: Bump it up walls can also be used to promote peer learning in the classroom. By displaying examples of work at different levels, students can learn from each other and provide feedback to their peers. This can create a supportive learning environment where students are encouraged to help each other improve.

Bump it up walls can be a valuable tool for teachers to use in the classroom to help students monitor and improve their learning. Whether it’s setting learning goals, providing feedback, encouraging self-reflection, supporting differentiation, or promoting peer learning, bump it up walls can help students take ownership of their learning and become more self-directed learners.

At Teachie Tings, we understand the importance of using bump it up walls in the classroom to support student learning. That’s why we offer a wide range of exemplars and displays that you can use in your classroom. By subscribing to Teachie Tings, you will have access to all of our bump it up wall resources, as well as many other teaching resources that can help you create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for your students. So why not join our community of teachers today and start exploring all that Teachie Tings has to offer?

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How to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction when using Daily Maths Slides

How to differentiate daily maths slides

One of the greatest work/life-balance hacks that I have added to my teaching is daily maths revision slides.

These slides have meant that no matter what, my students have had curriculum-relevant work to complete helping them to achieve their learning goals.

They’re no-prep– just display the daily slide on the smartboard and teach students a learning routine that includes getting ready, setting up their book, completing the work, and what to do when they are finished.

However, many teachers wonder how you can differentiate mathematics when using slides like these in classrooms with different abilities.

One size doesn’t fit all – but you can use one easy-to-use tool and differentiate for your students using a few strategies:

All, most, some.

Some students will be able to complete all of the work, some will be able to complete most of the work, and some students will only finish some work.

You can colour code questions using dry-erase markers, magnets, or even by writing in individual students’ books.

Mini-learning groups

Complete mini-lessons with students who are struggling with a question or concept.

Hands-on learning

Ensure concrete manipulatives are available for students to use if needed. I think we often put away concrete materials too early – almost all ages can benefit from counters, MABs, hundreds charts, etc

Printed copies

Some students have trouble transferring from the walls of our classroom. Provide printed copies for those students.

Extend with Number Talks

Always make note of activities that students need extra support in – and spend extra time debugging those activities at the end of the lesson. A number talk is a perfect activity for brainstorming strategies, working through them, and giving students at least one entry point into a problem.

Ensure Increased Visual Perception

  • Use different colors when working through answers on the board.
  • Provide printed copies
  • Highlight key terms (circle with a dry-erase marker or use actual highlighter) and make sure that students understand written questions.
  • Ensure the student is close enough to see the slides.

Enhance Auditory Processing

  • Repeat instructions to ensure understanding
  • Restate instructions to students individually

Why daily maths slides?

Using a repetitive activity with students enables them to place their cognitive attention on the content, rather than on the process of the task. Once a routine is established with students, they are able to begin working straight away. This reduces your time spent on classroom management and reduces anxiety within your classroom.

Differentiation doesn’t always mean different work. There is a range of different strategies you can use to ensure that students can access the work that you are providing while proving an anchor for routine learning and revision in your classroom.

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How to Differentiate Mathematics Instruction when using Daily Maths Slides 18