In this section you’ll find information that will assist you in your role as an Occasional Teacher. It isn’t subject specific but is related to Ontario’s Schools. This is where you’ll find information about classroom management, character education, and safe schools to name but three topics.
Classroom supports
Graffiti
This one-page document explains how to use the Graffiti strategy. In this strategy groups of students brainstorm ideas around a central topic and record their ideas on sheets of chart paper.
Inside Outside Circle
In this learning strategy students are arranged in two circles, an inner circle and an outer circle. The students on the inside face outward while the students on the outside face inward. After being given a short amount of time to think about a question that has been put on the board the students discuss their answer with the person they are facing. When the teacher gives a signal the outside circle moves in one direction and each student has a new partner with whom to share. The web link provides steps and tips for using this strategy in the classroom.
Jigsaw Activities
This document explains how to develop a lesson plan using the jigsaw activity. The example used is for a grade four oral communication and visual arts lesson.
Listening and Learning From Peers T-Chart
This T-Chart lists the actions and words associated with listening to and learning from peers.
Group Work T-Chart
This chart is designed to get students thinking and talking about what makes groups successful.
Place Mat
This cooperative learning strategy allows students to think about, record, and share their ideas in groups. The document provides an overview of how to use the place mat in class as well as hints and management ideas. It also explains the benefits of using this learning technique.
Student Attitude Survey
This one-page reproducible survey provides insight into students’ attitudes toward oral communication, reading, writing, and group work.
Suggestions for Group Work Lessons
This checklist provides students with suggestions for making their participation in groups more successful. It also shows them the areas in which they may need to make additional effort.
Learning Strategies: Think-Pair-Share
Think-Pair-Share is a cooperative learning strategy that can promote and support higher-level thinking. This site explains how to use think-pair-share in your class. It also provides hints on how to use it as well as what the benefits are of using this learning technique.
Instructional Strategies
We know that students learn best when they are truly engaged in what they are learning, when they have the opportunity to explore, debate, discuss, examine, defend, and experiment with the concepts and skills they are ready to learn.
This site, created for Idaho teachers, lists a wide range of strategies to use.