Shutting Down Brainstorm Session Saboteurs

The purpose of a good Brainstorming session is to have a shower of ideas from which to choose. I like to use Brainstorming when I’m asking the class for input on a project rubric, project topic ideas, and possible endings for the novel we’re reading.

Like anything else, good procedures make the Brainstorming session go smoothly. I set down the procedures early in the year and use a transparency to remind the class of my expectations every time we Brainstorm. Sure, it’s redundant, but I think that the sessions go more smoothly when everyone understands what to do.

10 Alternative Assessments for Homework

Homework is a dreaded word for many of our students. To them, homework means endless problem sets, memorizing vocabulary, or filling in the blanks. It’s hard for many kids to find a quiet place at home for homework or even a quiet place on the bus ride to the JV basketball game.

Extending classroom learning outside the school walls is a great idea; it reinforces objectives and makes for better classroom discussions. But the same ol’ read-and-respond assignments get dull. It’s good for everyone to mix up the assessments. After all, the brain loves novelty.

Do You Grade Class Participation?

Grading class participation or giving students a daily grade is beneficial because these grades hold students accountable for their learning in class. If a student is chronically absent from class or sits in the office for most of the period, her participation grade will suffer. These grades also reward students who come to class and stay on task.

But, grading class participation can be tedious. It’s also tough to make it fair. What makes good class participation and what is just merely warming a desk?

Using a Beach Ball for Review Questions

Whenever the seasons change, I start to get really excited. There are few things I love more than a good clearance rack. One of the items you can depend on finding at half price this time of year is the beach ball. I can usually pick one up for about a dollar, but I’ve seen them in August for 50 cents or less. I buy a good half dozen.

Beach balls are wonderful things. You can blow them up and, deflated, they store flat. If you puncture a beach ball, a small bit of duct tape will allow you to continue to use the ball, at least for a time. You can also repair them with vinyl repair kits (be careful not to stick two layers of the ball together).

Why all this talk about beach balls? They make for a wonderful review game and a great change of pace. Pull out the beach ball and start blowing it up and you’ll have a class full of engaged students.

Word Sort: An Active Learning Critical-Thinking Strategy

Most college students struggle with the vocabulary of our disciplines. In their various electronic exchanges, they do not use a lot of multisyllabic, difficult-to-pronounce words. And virtually all college courses are vocabulary rich – unfamiliar words abound. Most students know that the new vocabulary in a course is important. They use flash cards and other methods to help them memorize the words and their meanings for their exams. Two days later, the words and their meanings are gone

Text Highlighting: Helping Students Understand What They Read

Do you have students who have difficulty understanding assigned readings? Do you have students who don’t complete the readings or don’t even bother bringing their books to class? A better question might be how many? Many college students struggle with their reading assignments.

As a teacher educator with expertise in reading development and disability, I find it useful to model effective reading strategies and provide immediate feedback on those strategies frequently used by students.

Four Reading Techniques to Improve Student Motivation

In Michigan’s Oakland County Intermediate School District, students are reading at grade level or beyond. With the help of a literacy initiative, those who aren’t reading at grade level are brought up to speed in a semester or less. Once these students are successfully reading at their grade level, motivation follows.

Laura Schiller is the literacy consultant for the Oakland Schools. She offers four techniques that you can use right away to boost student motivation and literacy in your classroom.