During Mini-Lessons, teachers should make a connection (from yesterday's lesson, with the ongoing unit of study, with the student's work, or with an experience outside of school), provide a teaching point (present and demonstrate), allow for active engagement (students try out a skill or strategy, students watch, students plan out loud,), and teachers link the lesson to ongoing student work (students turn to their own work and apply the teaching point).
1 point of interest from this chapter is students can complete KWL charts for math. I haven't ever used a KWL chart for math that I can remember. Have you? Instead of the traditional KWL chart (K for what you know, W for what you want to know, and L for what you learned), in math it can be adapted. The First Column can be: what do you know for sure, the second column can be: what are you trying to find out, and finally the third column can be Are there any special conditions in the problem?
Of course, you can come up with a name for this chart if you would like. Any ideas or suggestions? Maybe KFC Chart?
2nd Point of interest from this chapter is a topic of Word Splashes! I really like this idea. It is kind of like making a list of vocabulary terms related to the concept of study. Teachers can put the list on the board as a preview for the lesson or unit of study. Students can also use the word splashes as a review of concepts learned.
During my math whole group lesson, I use a video to introduce the concept. Before using the video, we do a quick review of the concept we are learning. The video generally comes from BrainPop or our math series Envision. After watching the video and demonstrating the skill, students practice a bit with me during the whole-group lesson practice time. After practicing together, the students have a few minutes to work independently on the task for practice. During this time, I walk around and assist or make notes of how students are doing. After our mini-lesson and independent practice, students participate in independent work. During this time, I pull out small groups.
How do you teach whole group math lessons in your classroom? Do you have a math series? Do you like your math series for whole group instruction?
No comments