Im really trying to stay focused on doing just my ROL but in the process I keep finding cool teaching strategies and ideas and I get side-tracked! Thought I would further delay working by sharing something with you to use for a partner activity with your students. Hope your progress on your ROL is "uninterupted!"
PARTNER STRATEGY: “HEAD to HEAD WRITE OFF!”
Directions:
- Students are paired off and turn desks to face each other in head-to-head fashion.
- Teacher poses a question… (controversial or essential questions work best)
- Students consider the question and each respond to it in writing for 2 minutes
When time is called, partners exchange papers and have two minutes to read what their partner wrote and respond to it in writing. (no talking). The exchange is repeated, creating a back -and-forth written dialogue (sometimes arguments, depending on the writer’s viewpoints) The number of exchanges can vary depending on the topic’s level of controversy and complexity. Following the final exchange, partners are given up to five minutes to talk about their responses and clarify their opinions. At this point, partners are often bursting at the seams to talk! Follow up with a class, whole-group discussion.
I like it!!! The name says it all. I have found if the activity has a catchy or engaging title, the students are all for it:) Definitely worth trying with our students in the fall. Good luck with your ROL!
ReplyDeleteI am struggling with staying focused too...There are so many great resources and ideas.,.I find my ROL evolving.
ReplyDeleteI love the Head to Head writing activity. I wish I taught an upper grade where this could really bring a class alive with deep, meaningful conversation! Very Cool!
Wow, thats sounds like fun, I like the idea of practicing that written communication skill in a head to head fashion. Fun idea. I am also having some trouble staying focused but I am working, so thats good!!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! One of the articles I read about promoting critical thinking talked about promoting discussion and debate opportunities within the classroom to increase the amount of critical thinking skills being used and this sounds like a really fun way to do it!
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