Making Thinking Visible

 I had the privilege of attending an insightful professional development program led by Ms Sangita Chima on the topic of "Making Thinking Visible in the Classroom" (MTV). This approach, developed by researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is all about bringing transparency to students' thought processes, enriching their learning experiences.

Our students enthusiastically embraced MTV activities, engaging in activities like See-Think-Wonder to spark their curiosity. This approach has not only boosted their classroom participation, but also fostered collaboration and led to the emergence of thought-provoking questions.

Here are some snapshots of our Amity School students actively involved in various tasks as part of their "Making Thinking Visible" project. A big shoutout to Ms. Sangitha for her outstanding leadership and dedication to enhancing our students' learning journey! 👏 #Education #MTV #CriticalThinking #professionaldevelopment #teaching

Useful videos for teachers

These are some useful videos to get better understanding of the different elements of a good lesson.

Thanks to Athena Education

Measuring progress in lessons	https://youtube.com/watch?v=WqqUDMwWeCk&feature=share
Structure of a lesson	https://youtube.com/watch?v=vQr4UXFcTp8&feature=share
What every teacher should know about 3.1.1. of the Inspection Framework (Teachers subject knowledge and knowledge of how students learn) to 1.3 (Students Learning Skills)	https://youtube.com/watch?v=HKJkgWS5JD0&feature=share
What every teacher should know 3.1.2 (Planning of purposeful lessons and effective learning environment)	https://youtube.com/watch?v=cHCTDQJ-H44&feature=share
What every teacher should know 3.1.3 (teacher-student interaction, questioning & dialogue)	https://youtube.com/watch?v=iIFvoso3Riw&feature=share
What every teacher should know 3.1.4 (meeting the needs of different groups)	https://youtube.com/watch?v=1mN7b2V0dVg&feature=share
What every teacher should know 3.1.4 (teaching for critical thinking, problem-solving, innovation and independent skills)	https://youtube.com/watch?v=TB8BX4Kxtpo&feature=share

 

How does teacher use of student assessment data change student outcomes

CPD Session on Assessment - KHDA

 A PPT has been attached  here

Effective Question preparation- MCQ

1. Can we see the MCQ is defective ?

MCQ has 2 parts.

1 Stem ( question part)

2 Alternatives ( options)

Plausible distractors

https://testing.byu.edu/handbooks/14%20Rules%20for%20Writing%20Multiple-Choice%20Questions.pdf 

Refer to the incorrect  / inferior alternatives

Identify commons errors of student thinking or application.

Principles of MCQ construction

1. The stem should be meaningful - https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/writing-good-multiple-choice-test-questions/

Technology in Classroom -

Technology in Education-
Reference and courtesy to Mrs Smriti Shekhawat

Why ?

• Engage
• Understanding of concept
• Improve retention
• Gain mastery of concepts
• Evaluate information critically ( fakes vs facts)
• To prepare them for life beyond school 
• Collaborate with people ( Students exchanges - Skype education)

Some useful websites and software are listed below

1. Immersive reader / word 
1. Onedrive, box, google drive
2. Can use to read the text / highlight adjectives 
2. Annotating PDF
1. Highlight / circle / 
2. Use comment section in Adobe reader
3. Ms word
1. Review - Thresure 
2. Track changes in ms word
3. To create news letter
4. Poster, infographic
4. Sway

Uses of assessment data to improve learning

always keep learning it keeps you young - Patty Berg

Useful websites

Edpuzzle.com

https://edpuzzle.com/ 

https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/3-great-alternatives-to-zaption

https://get.plickers.com/

https://www.tes.com/lessons/dashboard

https://ed.ted.com/

http://www.classtools.net/  ( https://www.classtools.net/SMS/ )

https://quizlet.com/latest  ( First let them read the glossary , then using quizlet you can shows flashcards )

Planning and implementing effective lessons

Planning and implementing effective lessons

21-9-19

Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional- Roger Crawford.

What will students learn? Planning.

Topic & Sub topic:

Too much? Too less?

Have they learnt this before?

What is the new learning here?

How do you know?

Assessment Strategies in Lessons

Assessment Strategies in Lessons 

PD Session - 7-9-19

__________________________________________________________________________

Teacher has to maintain three main files.

• Logbooks
• DLP File.
• CPT File

__________________________________________________________________________

KWL Chart 

k	w	L
What is assessment?	How assessment is different from progression ? I want to know what are the different strategies can be used for assessment?

When teachers asks the answers what teachers wrote in the “K” Column.

It should not be repeated by other groups.

Assessment

Provides an opportunities 

Different kinds of assessment

AFL- Assessment For Learning.( Formative Assessment) FA

AOL - Assessment of Learning

AAL - Assessment As Learning - Self Reflection

Students ask themselves about their learning.

__________________________________________________________________________

When to assess…

Activities in SST classroom

Go to class with a smile
Quote – on ssc by Clement Mok. ( is it not rocket science. It’s a social science.


Simulation method.
Simplified version of real world situation.
Topics like – morality, democracy, patriotism, leadership etc…

Historical simulation
Simulation activities
Simulation games

Historical simulation  ( For eg:  Shekha Kapoor)


Dramatizatons in which past incidents are relieved and real characters portrayed.

 Simulation activities

Simulation games

Role play (Spontaneous ) == Differences
Dramatizations (based on script)


Laboratory method

Inquiry / discovery method
Encourage divergent thinking….
Eg- students can be required to find out the reasons for fuel shortage in the country.

Project method

Demonstrations


Helping students with the vast content.
- Pre teach key vocabulary with appropriate definition/ explanations.
- Chunk matter into manageable bits of information.
- Represent relevant information in graphic organizers.
The Fakebook Strategy
Create fake FB page for a person of importance.
Students

Storyboard teaching
“If history were taught in the form of stories …  ( Rudyard Kliping)


Youtube
Why learn social studies ?

PD Session- General Teaching Strategies

Teaching strategies 

Strategy is a form of a plan

strategies and activities are different.

“The right thought effort and action make wonders in the classroom”

1- Cooperative learning.

Small group of students work together on a common task with or without specific role assignments.

Teacher has to decide - Heterogeneous group, Homogeneous group 

Merits

Positive interdependence

Individual and group accountability..

Increase self-esteem of students

* Carousel

https://shelleygrayteaching.com/carousel/

It can be used in any point of time in a class

Sharing of perspective

Steps

• Give a chart paper which contains topic/ questions
• They write down responses
• Then give to other group and they discuss the answers of other groups
• They discuss the topic further and responds.
• Each group writes with a different marker. 
• The last group to work at each chart presents the information on that chart to that chart to the entire class.

PD Session - Effective Worksheet preparation

PD Session - Effective Worksheet preparation 

Date	Sunday 7th October 2018.
Venue	Classroom - 9 P
Participants	Teachers from Grade 3 -12

Effective worksheet 

Introduction 

A worksheet, in the word's original meaning, is a sheet of paper on which one performs work. In education, a worksheet may have questions for students and places to record answers.

It can enrich their lessons.

SMART Boards, iPads, computers, chalkboards, and worksheets are all important tools of our trade. But remember: Tools can't enrich the learning process; only great teachers can.

Departmental Feedback session - Term 1

DEMONSTRATION CLASS

Introduction

A demonstration class was conducted by the Social Science Teacher Shiju Rappai, on the Geography lesson “Types of Farming”. The session was scheduled for the duration of 30 minutes. All the teachers of Social Science department attended the session.

Session Objective: To analyse the lesson plan and execution and trigger a discussion on Activity based lesson.

Session Progression: The teacher used a visual and triggered a brainstorming on farming in India. Then, the class was divided into 3 groups and a Jigsaw was conducted based on the three types of farming. The lesson was concluded with a quiz which was an assessment activity. The teacher then summed up the content of the lesson