Issue 70: Nov 30, 2009 Connections Newsletter

Activating Strategy - Brainstorm and Categorize

Brenda Hill
Nov 30, 2009

Brainstorm and Categorize is an activating strategy where students are asked to brainstorm and list words or phrases about a topic. Using the words and phrases generated by students, sort and categorize them.

How is Brainstorm and Categorize used?
Students are introduced to a new topic or concept. They are asked to brainstorm and list ideas they already know about the topic. After students have generated their lists ask them to think about what ideas, words, or phrases on their list might go together. Guide them as categories are generated. For example, if students have brainstormed and listed what they know about "weather" and rain, snow, sleet, etc, have been included on the list then one of the categories might be "Precipitation." Answers are charted and visible to students as the lesson or unit is taught. Students may add and revise charts throughout the lesson or unit based upon new learning - new vocabulary, more categories, etc.

Brainstorm and Categorize Example: Weather

Weather T-chart

Pictures and graphics may also be added to tables and charts to support the learning of key concepts and new vocabulary. This is especially important for younger students, ELL students, and students with special needs.
Follow-up Writing Suggestion:

Have students summarize new learning by using the brainstorm and categorize chart generated at the beginning of the lesson or unit. Depending on the grade level students may be expected to write several sentences, several paragraphs, or an essay.

Other useful web sites on the importance of activating prior knowledge:

Learn more on Activating Strategies by clicking here.



Collaborating in Toolbox

Bill Blynt
Nov 30, 2009

What is the easiest way to share my work with a colleague? This is a question that is often asked by teachers utilizing the Toolbox. Each Toolbox member can elect to share their work with an entire state, district, school staff or with just specific individuals. One easy way to share your work is to establish a shared folder. To create a new folder to hold work to be shared, simply right click on your name, go to ‘New' and select ‘Folder'. You will be asked to name the folder. Once the folder is created, you can go to ‘Utilities' and add those individuals or groups whom you wish to share this folder and all the documents it holds. The documents in this folder can be share ‘Read Only' or ‘Full Access'. If you elected to share ‘Read Only' those individuals you have shared it with can view and print a copy of any of the items. They can also elect to make a copy and send it to their own folder. With ‘Read Only' rights, they will not be able to change any item in the folder. If you elect to share the folder ‘Full Access', the items can not only be viewed and printed but can also be opened and changed by anyone have these rights.

Individuals electing to share items ‘Read Only' are offering their colleagues the opportunity to view the items but only change them if they send them to their own folder. Once in their own folder they can make any adjustments they want but none of these changes will impact the original work. Items should only be shared ‘Full Access' when two or more people are actively collaborating on the development of a lesson or unit. In ‘Full Access' any changes made to the documents are recorded and saved. These changes override any previous documents.

After you have created a folder to share (that you have named), you must go to the Explorer view to designate with whom you want to share this folder. Once there, right click on the shared folder, go to ‘Utilities', select ‘Sharing'. Once in sharing you can add the individual members, school staff or state you want to share the item with. Select if you want to share this folder ‘Read Only' or ‘Full Access'. You may elect to share the folder with some individuals ‘Read Only' and others ‘Full Access'.

Once the folder has been shared, anything you move or copy into this folder will be shared. In addition, other members can copy or move items into this folder to be shared. The individual who created the folder will find it listed in My Documents. Those individuals you shared it with will find the folder under the Shared with Me tab under the creator's name. They will search for the creators name and then locate the shared folder. Clicking on the + in front of the folder will open it to reveal the contents. They can view the items or print them. If they want a copy they can copy it and paste it in their personal folder. Once it is in their personal folder it moves from read only to full access.

Although sharing may seem complicated, once the folders and members are established it is quite a simple process. Having the ability to share or collaborated on lessons is beneficial to everyone.

Remember almost all LEARNING-FOCUSED notebooks and flipcharts have a Toolbox Unit and Lesson Planning Tool license key on the front or back cover. These can be used to open a Toolbox account or extend the subscription of a current one.



Collaborative Planning Successes

Debbie Cargill
Nov 30, 2009

"Joint work - the strongest form of collegial practice implies collective action, stronger interdependence, shared responsibility, and a greater readiness to participate in reflective inquiry..." (Fallon & Barnett, 2009). The authors of this recent study looked at school organizational restructuring into a collaborative structure that fosters collegial relationships. The United States Department of Education (2003) identified five instructional practices critical to raising achievement and reducing the achievement gap. One of those practices - school-wide instructional planning model based on learning - emphasizes the use of collaborative planning on common unit and lesson plans.

In an effort to sustain progress toward their goal of increasing student achievement, Principal Julia Allen of Laurel Avenue Elementary School in Polk County, Florida, decided that one of their focuses this year would be on collaborative planning. Laurel Avenue made AYP last year! The momentum is there. To keep moving forward and maintain that momentum, Ms. Allen has organized the school day to provide collaborative planning time for all grade levels and encouraged teachers to use that time to plan acquisition lessons in math. All grade levels are working towards being effective and efficient teams.

On a recent visit to the school, I met with Kindergarten teachers to reflect on this practice and to answer planning questions. As a group, this team has made significant progress with collaborative planning. I asked them what was working for them and why they thought they were being successful. Some of their comments included the following:

  • We started out this year planning separately, but were encouraged to work together. We have found that we work well together. We've made this work for us. It took some getting used to, but it gets easier the more we do.
  • When we put our heads together to plan for one subject at a time, it makes it easier. We have stronger lessons.
  • We use think aloud a lot.
  • We respect each other.
  • It's a safe environment.
  • We're not struggling by ourselves
  • We can be consistent across classes.
  • Planning together keeps us focused.
  • After delivering a lesson, we de-brief - how did it go? What will we change?

Together we can! Working together to plan lessons can only make teams stronger, more efficient, and more effective.

See Transforming Standards into Learning for information on collaborative planning.