I guess I've been sitting on it because I think it needs to be better to post.
Well, decided to just jump in...
It all started with this video clip.
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/using-clickers-in-classroom
Part of the Talking About Teaching with Jim Knight Series
I had a WOW type experience while watching this teacher and then listening to her and Mr. Knight discuss the classroom dynamic.
My WOW was when Mr. Knight suggested teacher Carrie Hochgrebe create a learning map (graphic organizer) as a means to integrate the components of the unit within the map.
Every day begins with "let's review where we were and by the end of the class, let's look where we've ended" that by the end of the unit, students have looked at the map so many times, they SEE the connections, VISUALIZE the concepts, READ the structure.
I got to thinking about the HS students who were beginning a hugh project for an Introduction to Composition class - creating a parody of a scene from The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.
In every educational career, we experience moments in teaching we just know went well. The following video describes how we applied the above concept with this class of students.
On the first day, student received strips of paper with each process step listed. Their job was to put the "steps" (paper slips) in order. Visuals of each step were also aligned with the strips, so everyone would have the same "piece" associated with the same "piece". This also provided common language for everyone to use. Next, members in the class shared their sequencing ideas and collectively decided on a logical "order". All of the components were then taped to a huge piece of brown paper that we came back to at the beginning and end of class. The "steps" were also used as talking points when conferencing with students as to where THEY were in the process.
And finally, I asked permission to share one of the projects created using GoAnimate.
Special thanks to Tai for allowing us to post.
GoAnimate.com: The+Chocolate+War+Parody by 2500550