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Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 99 - Workshop 6
Workshop 6
Engaging Students in Active Learning
Session Summary How do we engage students in active learning? This session examines the relationship between social studiescontent and the teaching strategies that tap students’ critical thinking skills, promote cooperative learning, andunderscore the relevance of social studies in students’ lives. To help you extend your thinking, you will:
• Explore cooperative learning.
• Define the elements of authentic instruction.
• Analyze social studies lessons for active learning strategies.
Learning GoalsAt the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Identify the elements of authentic instruction.
• Identify strategies that promote active learning.
• Apply strategies for active learning in your practice.
FACILITATOR’S NOTE: You will need to make copies of the following materials for all participants (pages 107–116).
Concept Chart • Viewing Chart • Elements of Authentic Instruction
Developing a Lesson • Summary
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Key Concepts• Cooperative learning • Jigsaw • Authentic instruction
ReadingsBefore arriving for each session, read each of the articles listed below to gain knowledge about key concepts relat-ed to active learning in social studies. As you read, look for these concepts, their definitions, and examples of each.
After you read the articles, write answers to the following questions. Use the Reading Questions form on page 106.
1. What are the elements of authentic instruction? How does each element engage students and increaseunderstanding?
2 What is cooperative learning, and how does it differ from other small-group work?
3. How do different kinds of questioning promote active learning?
4. How can active learning help teachers assess students’understanding?
Articles“Meaningful, Engaged Learning”Describes the characteristics of active learning.Jones, B. G., G. Valdez, J. Nowakowski, and C. Rasmussen. “Meaningful, Engaged Learning.” North CentralRegional Educational Laboratory.
“Essential Elements of Cooperative Learning”Describes how cooperative learning is used in active learning.Stahl, Robert J. “The Essential Elements of Cooperative Learning in the Classroom.” Educational Resources Information Center.
“Five Standards of Authentic Instruction”Explains how the five standards of authentic instruction promote active learning.Newmann, Fred M., and Gary G. Wehlage. “Five Standards of Authentic Instruction.” Educational Leadership.Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
“Classroom Questioning”Describes the types and uses of classroom questions.Cotton, Kathleen. “Classroom Questioning.” North West Regional Educational Laboratory.
FACILITATOR’S NOTE: Be sure that everyone has access to these readings.You may want to have a few copies available for those without Internet access.
Explore
Assignment: Bring your written workto the session, and save it to submit asan assignment.
Visit the Web Site: These articles are available online at the workshop Web site at:
www.learner.org/channel/workshops/socialstudies
Go to session 6 and select Printouts.
FACILITATOR’S NOTE: When the workshop session begins, you may want to spend a few minutes reviewing the Reading Questions and key concepts.
Activity 1: Getting StartedWatch the video introduction to familiarize yourself with the session, instructor, and participants. Before youwatch, consider the following questions:
• How do you define active learning?
• How does active learning differ from traditional, or “non-active,” learning?
• How does social studies content lend itself to active learning?
Activity 2: What Do You Know?FACILITATOR’S NOTE: Distribute the Concept Chart.
This activity is designed to help you think about teaching strategies you use to engage students in active learn-ing. Begin by thinking of a social studies unit you teach. Then recall your objectives and the strategies you use toengage students in active learning.
Use the Concept Chart to list the objectives and the active learning strategies you already use.
Activity 3: Reflect on Your WorkAfter you have completed your chart, review your answers and consider the following questions:
• What active learning strategies do you tend to use?
• Why are some strategies more successful for you than others?
• How do the strategies you use enhance learning and help you meet your learning objectives?
• What strategies from the video would you add?
View Video Segment: Introduction: Go to this segment in the video bymatching the image (to the left) on your TV screen. You’ll find this segment atthe beginning of the video. Watch for about 18 minutes.
In this video segment, participants take part in a cooperative learning activi-ty that reviews the elements of authentic instruction.
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 101 - Workshop 6
Engage
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FACILITATOR’S NOTE: Distribute the Viewing Chart.
The following video segment reviews teaching strategies that promote active learning in classroom examples. Asyou watch, take notes on the teaching strategies you see in the classroom examples.
Use the Viewing Chart to record your observations. This will prepare you for the upcoming activity.
After you have completed the Viewing Chart, review your answers and consider the following questions:
• Which strategies seemed most relevant to your teaching?
• What made these strategies effective?
• How do the related activities demonstrate students’ understanding?
• What would you add?
Explain
View Video Segment: Identifying Strategies in Classroom Examples: Goto this segment in the video by matching the image (to the left) on your TVscreen. You’ll find this segment approximately 19 minutes into the video.Watch for about 27 minutes.
In this segment, workshop participants watch several classroom teachersengaging students in active learning. After each classroom example, partici-pants discuss their observations.
Assignment: Save your written workto submit as an assignment.
Now that you have explored and viewed teaching strategies that engage students in active learning, apply whatyou know in the following activities.
Activity 1: Examples of Authentic InstructionFACILITATOR’S NOTE: Distribute the Elements of Authentic Instruction form.
In this activity, you’ll analyze three of the classroom segments you just watched and identify teaching strategiesthat illustrate authentic instruction. Before you begin, review the strategies you listed on your Viewing Chart, andthe elements of authentic instruction below.
Elements of Authentic Instruction• Higher-order thinking—stimulates critical thinking
• Depth of knowledge—encourages comprehensive learning
• Real-world connection—teaches applications of concepts
• Substantive conversation—uses meaningful discussion
• Social support—provides encouragement and inclusion
Use the Elements of Authentic Instruction form and follow the instructions.
Activity 2: Developing a LessonFACILITATOR’S NOTE: Distribute the Developing a Lesson form.
Now that you have identified teaching strategies that engage stu-dents in active learning, develop a social studies lesson of yourown with these strategies in mind.
Use the Developing a Lesson form to help you organize your lesson plan.
Visit the Web Site: This activity is also available online as an Interactive Activity at:
www.learner.org/channel/workshops/socialstudies
Go to session 6 and select Apply.
View Video Segment: Mini-Lesson: Go to this segment in the video bymatching the image (to the left) on your TV screen. You’ll find this segmentapproximately 47 minutes into the video. Watch for about 10 minutes.
Watch this segment to see how workshop participants use the Pledge of Allegiance to plan for active learning.
Assignment: Save your written workto submit as an assignment. Note: Ifyou are taking all eight sessions forcredit, you may continue to work onthis unit in subsequent sessions. Savea copy of your work.
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 103 - Workshop 6
Apply
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What Did You Learn?FACILITATOR’S NOTE: Distribute the Summary form.
In this session, you examined a range of strategies that promote active learning. Review your initial concept chart,answers to the reading questions, strategies you observed in the video segments, and the lesson you developed.Now write a summary to record what you’ve learned. Use the Summary form and follow the instructions.
Assignments
Submit Your WorkIf you are taking this workshop for credit or professional development, submit the following assignments for session 6: Engaging Students in Active Learning.
1. Explore: Read the articles and respond to the questions that follow using the Reading Questions form.
2. Explain: Watch the video segment, complete the Viewing Chart, and answer the questions that follow.
3. Apply: Apply what you’ve learned and complete the Developing a Lesson activity.
4. Evaluate: Summarize what you’ve learned and how you will apply new strategies in your teaching.
For Next WeekSee Explore: Readings for session 7 for next week’s reading assignment.
Evaluate
Assignment: Save your written workto submit as an assignment.
Check the Assignments list that fol-lows to be sure you’ve completed allassignments for this session.
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 105 - Workshop 6
PrintBlythe, Tina, and Associates. The Teaching for Understanding Guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1998.
Newmann, Fred M., and Associates. Authentic Achievement: Restructuring Schools for Intellectual Quality. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996.
Web Active Learning Practices for Schoolshttp://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps/Provides information about Teaching for Understanding.
Harvard Research Online http://www.edletter.org/past/issues/2000-mj/models.shtmlDescribes four leading models of cooperative learning.
Jigsaw Classroomhttp://www.jigsaw.org/Explains the jigsaw strategy of cooperative learning.
Resources
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After you read the articles, write answers to the following questions:
1. What are the elements of authentic instruction? How does each element engage studentsand increase understanding?
2. What is cooperative learning, and how does it differ from other small-group work?
3. How do different kinds of questioning promote active learning?
4. How can active learning help teachers assess students’ understanding?
6: Engaging Students in Active Learning
Reading Questions
© 2003 WGBH Educational Foundation.
Soc
ialS
tudi
esU
nit:
Obj
ecti
ves
Act
ive
Lear
ning
Str
ateg
ies
6: E
ngag
ing
Stu
dent
sin
Act
ive
Lear
ning
Conc
eptC
hart
Afte
r yo
u ha
ve c
ompl
eted
you
r co
ncep
tcha
rt, r
evie
w y
our
answ
ers
and
cons
ider
the
follo
win
g qu
esti
ons:
• W
hatt
ypes
ofac
tive
lear
ning
str
ateg
ies
do y
ou te
nd to
use
?
• W
hyar
e so
me
stra
tegi
esm
ore
succ
essf
ulfo
r yo
u th
an o
ther
s?
• H
ow d
o th
e st
rate
gies
you
use
enha
nce
lear
ning
and
hel
p yo
u m
eety
our
teac
hing
obj
ecti
ves?
• W
hats
trat
egie
sfr
om th
e vi
deo
wou
ld y
ou a
dd to
you
r lis
t?
© 2
003
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Educ
atio
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ound
atio
n.
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 107 - Workshop 6
Workshop 6 - 108 - Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop
Less
onA
ctiv
e Le
arni
ng S
trat
egie
s
Eile
en M
esm
er’s
clas
sis
stud
ying
aun
itca
lled
Cele
brat
ions
ofLi
ght,
expl
orin
g w
hatd
iffer
enth
olid
ays
and
trad
ition
sha
ve in
com
mon
.
Dia
ne K
err’s
clas
sis
stud
ying
sta
tego
vern
men
tand
the
role
oft
he c
iti-
zen,
usi
ng fl
ipbo
oks
to il
lust
rate
how
a b
illbe
com
esa
law
.
Rob
Cudd
i’sst
uden
tsar
e st
udyi
ngth
e ex
plor
ers
in N
orth
Am
eric
a, w
ork-
ing
in g
roup
sto
rese
arch
exp
lore
rsan
d de
sign
pre
sent
atio
ns.
Dav
id K
itts’
sst
uden
tsar
e st
udyi
nghi
stor
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chan
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mpa
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pas
tan
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actic
esin
Amer
ica.
6: E
ngag
ing
Stu
dent
sin
Act
ive
Lear
ning
View
ing
Char
tpa
ge 1
Iden
tify
ing
Stra
tegi
esin
Cla
ssro
om E
xam
ples
Revi
ew th
e le
sson
sou
tlin
ed in
the
view
ing
char
tto
fam
iliar
ize
your
self
wit
h th
e ex
ampl
esyo
u w
illw
atch
. As
you
wat
ch, l
ook
for
stra
tegi
esth
e te
ache
rsus
e to
eng
age
stud
ents
in a
ctiv
e le
arni
ng: q
uest
ioni
ng, e
ngag
ing
acti
viti
es, a
uthe
ntic
inst
ruct
ion,
coo
pera
-ti
ve le
arni
ng, a
nd a
ctiv
e pr
esen
tati
ons.
Lis
tspe
cific
exam
ples
you
see
in e
ach
less
on.
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 109 - Workshop 6
6: E
ngag
ing
Stu
dent
sin
Act
ive
Lear
ning
View
ing
Char
tpa
ge 2
Afte
r yo
u ha
ve c
ompl
eted
you
r ch
art,
rev
iew
you
r w
ork
and
answ
er th
e fo
llow
ing
ques
tion
s:
1. W
hich
str
ateg
ies
seem
ed to
bes
tpro
mot
e ac
tive
lear
ning
?
2. W
hich
str
ateg
ies
seem
ed m
ostr
elev
antt
o yo
ur te
achi
ng?
3. W
hatm
ade
thes
e st
rate
gies
effe
ctiv
e?
4. H
ow d
id th
e ac
tivi
ties
help
stu
dent
sde
mon
stra
te th
eir
unde
rsta
ndin
g?
5. W
hatw
ould
you
add
?
© 2
003
WG
BH
Educ
atio
nalF
ound
atio
n.
Workshop 6 - 110 - Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop
6: Engaging Students in Active Learning
Elements of Authentic Instruction
This activity takes a closer look at how authentic instruction engages students in active learning,using teaching examples from three classroom video segments. Review the elements of authenticinstruction, then read the description of each classroom segment and identify up to three elementsof authentic instruction best represented in the segment. Explain each answer by giving an exam-ple, then compare your answers to what other teachers said.
Elements of Authentic Instruction
Higher-Order Thinking
Depth of Knowledge
Real-World Connection
Substantive Conversation
Social Support
stimulates critical thinking
encourages comprehensive learning
teaches applications of concepts
uses meaningful discussion
provides encouragement and inclusion
1
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 111 - Workshop 6
Description: Ms. Mesmer uses probing questions to guide students in a discus-sion about the winter solstice, winter holidays in different cultures,and what they have in common.
Select up to three elements displayed in the example above and write in your explanation ofwhy you chose these elements.
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
Social Support
2
Segment 1
Workshop 6 - 112 - Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop
Description: Mr. Cuddi uses essential questions to connect the early explorersto other themes and disciplines, such as geography, economics, and politics.
Select up to three elements displayed in the example above and write in your explanation ofwhy you chose these elements.
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
Social Support
3
Segment 2
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 113 - Workshop 6
Description: Mr. Kitts uses stories about past and present farming practices to teach students in an agriculture-based community about change over time.
Select up to three elements displayed in the example above and write in your explanation ofwhy you chose these elements.
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
Social Support
4
Segment 3
Workshop 6 - 114 - Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
SocialSupport
Ms. Mesmer challenges students to master abstract science concepts aboutlight.
Students reveal what they learn in a question-and-answer discussion.
Ms. Mesmer encourages students to participate and praises them for theireffort and answers.
Segment 1
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
SocialSupport
Students are asked to explain the economic impact of the explorers, and syn-thesize new knowledge with content from previous units.
Mr. Cuddi asks probing questions to gauge students’ mastery of the material.
Content is taught and reviewed in an active question-and-answer format.
Segment 2
Higher-OrderThinking
Depth ofKnowledge
Real-WorldConnection
SubstantiveConversation
SocialSupport
Students make comparisons and distinctions between the past and present.
Mr. Kitts asks students to show what they know by completing a time wheel.
Mr. Kitts uses farming as a topic that his students can relate to.
Segment 3
© 2003 WGBH Educational Foundation. 5
Sample Answers
Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop - 115 - Workshop 6
Lesson Title:
Objectives
Lesson outline
Activities
Strategies to engage students in active learning
Methods for assessing students’ understanding
6: Engaging Students in Active Learning
Developing a Lesson
Use this form to create a draft of your lesson.
© 2003 WGBH Educational Foundation.
Workshop 6 - 116 - Social Studies in Action K–5 Workshop
6: Engaging Students in Active Learning
Summary
Write a summary of what you’ve learned. Be sure to include:
• the range of active learning strategies you studied;
• the benefits and challenges of planning for active learning;
• how promoting active learning can increase students’ engagement with material, long-termretention, and understanding; and
• how you might incorporate elements of active learning into your practice.
© 2003 WGBH Educational Foundation.