In this minisode, Colin talks about the value of critique-based journaling, and how it can be an easy and effective way to get your students to exercise higher-level thinking skills about your subject.
You might be surprised to know that your students don’t know each other’s names. In this minisode, Colin discusses two fun name games to improve your class community.
Make review engaging and enjoyable with one of the four review games that Michelle and Colin discuss in this episode. We discuss some mistakes we made running these games the first time, and go over some specific instructions to make sure you can run these activities successfully in your classroom.
Show Notes:
Segment: Tactic Time [1:04]
Game #1: Guess What I Am [1:25]
Game #2: Ball of Knowledge [3:30]
Ice-breaker variations on Ball of Knowledge [5:05]
Game #3: Four Corners [6:37]
Game #4: Jeopardy! [8:46]
Avoid these mistakes Colin made when playing Jeopardy! for the first time [9:12]
Students like games, and teachers like quiet: quiet games are a win-win, a fun way to calm your classes. Michelle and Colin talk about their three favourite quiet games in case you need a break from a noisy classroom. They also go through extensions to each game so you can play them multiple times throughout the year.
Show Notes:
Segment: Tactic Time [1:08]
Game #1: Picnic [1:44]
Game #2: Silent Corners [4:45]
Game #3: In a Minute [6:53]
Segment: Your Homework [9:18]
Segment: Potent Quotables [9:46]
Why it’s a good thing if students find out your first name [10:40]
Giving students an activity that they can start before the bell goes is a game-changer: it re-focuses student attention to your class, gives you a bit of breathing room, and immediately gets your students engaged. In this episode, Michelle and Colin go over four examples of bellwork that are effective in any high school classroom.
Show Notes:
Segment: Tactic Time [1:03]
What is bellwork, and why should you try it? [1:23]
Bellwork idea #1 [2:45]
Bellwork idea #2 [4:43]
Bellwork idea #3 [7:43]
Bellwork idea #4 [9:00]
Segment: Your Homework [10:48]
Segment: Potent Quotables [12:08]
Why Socrates’ quote about youth is still relevant today [12:39]
A hook (or “anticipatory set”) is a great way to get students engaged…but it’s tough to keep coming up with new, creative ideas for hooks. Michelle and Colin go over five creative and customizable ways to start your classes to get your students curious, interested, and excited about your lesson material.