Active Learning Strategies

                          

Active learning is a way to engage students in the learning process. It encourages students to think and actively participate in the lesson, while promoting student involvement, independence, and critical thinking skills. Active learning strategies can be used in many ways and for a variety of reasons. For example, the teacher may use active learning strategies to gather pre-assessment data, to discover any misconceptions the students may have, to check understanding, or to activate the students’ prior knowledge on different topics.

One of my favorite active learning strategies is Graffiti. This strategy allows the teacher the opportunity to gather any pre-assessment data or assess the students’ knowledge. Graffiti also is a great way to have the students summarize the lesson and/or their learning. Graffiti works best when students are broken up into groups. The groups then are given chart paper and assigned a certain color marker. The marker helps the teacher in identifying which response belongs to which group. Students then work together to formulate answers for different questions, issues, or topics. After each group has answered the question, the class will discuss the posters, while the teacher provides feedback and/or makes instructional corrections.

One active learning strategy that I wish to use in my future classroom is Interactive Notebooks and Learning Journals. Interactive Notebooks are used to interact and engage students in the lesson. Students can take ownership and pride in their learning through the use of Interactive Notebooks. This strategy makes learning fun and provides students with a great study tools to use throughout the year. Learning Journals are another great tool to implement in the classroom. Learning Journals provide students the chance to reflect on their learning and thinking. Every day, the student will answer 3-5 prompts that reflect on the lesson, along with one “wonder question.” Wonder questions are great to use in Learning Journals because it makes the student think about their own misconceptions or concerns regarding to that day’s lesson. This strategy encourages students to take a stand in their learning and make real-life connections.

                     

61 Writing Prompts             Interactive Notebooks in the Classroom

One thing that surprised me about active learning strategies is that they are FREE!! Who doesn’t love freebies?!? These strategies will make a huge impact in your students’ learning, and you will begin to see the “aha!” moments that all teachers long for. And after all, you cannot put a price on knowledge.