Lesson+Tool+Box



I sometimes find that I have heard of, done and learned about so many strategies that I forget them. This is a list I originally compiled for myself to help with planning better lessons to improve student learning. Hopefully you can find some ideas as well.
 * Opening Ideas || General Ideas || Closing Ideas ||
 * < * 20 Questions (relate to topic)
 * Intro Video Clip
 * Relate a song to the lesson
 * Journal Prompt
 * Mental Review
 * Write three points from last class
 * KWL chart
 * Intriguing photo ("what is this?")
 * Four square brainstorming
 * Brain dump (one listener and one speaker for 60 seconds)
 * Current Events
 * Odd man out: Regrouping strategy
 * Celebrating diversity: regrouping strategy
 * Common Ground: Grouping Strategy
 * 3-2-1: 3 knowing, 2 actions, 1 big question
 * Musical Pairs ||< * Jigsaw
 * Web Quest
 * Corners (defend choice)
 * Class Blog
 * Thinkquest
 * Use a "Gizmo"
 * Design a mini quiz and give to a friend
 * ABC brainstorming
 * Human timeline
 * Mystery box
 * Artifact share
 * Acting Scenarios
 * SEE-I
 * Picture Response
 * Learning centre passport
 * concept sort (list, group, label)
 * concept pitch
 * create a news story
 * Reading Guide
 * SPOT
 * Placemats
 * Grab bag
 * Role Play
 * Quick write
 * Argument map
 * Reading-Writing connection: cut up document and have students re-construct
 * Scripting/ assigned note-taker
 * Student Choice vs Teaching Choice Centers
 * 2 minute essay
 * A-B coaching
 * Coaching
 * Journal Reflection
 * Represent learning with a picture
 * Post-it observations
 * Learning Contracts ||< * Think-pair-share
 * Partner Quiz
 * Post-it review
 * Question Box
 * Journal Response
 * Exit Slips

Grouping Strategies:


 * **Strategy** || **Description (if needed)** ||
 * Same/different gender ||  ||
 * Same/different eye colour ||  ||
 * Desk Neighbour ||  ||
 * Diagonal in table group ||  ||
 * Across in table group ||  ||
 * Opposite side of room ||  ||
 * Mystery Bag || Cut up strips of student names and place them in a small bag. When needing to make groups or partners simply draw them from the bag. ||
 * Popsicle Sticks || Write students names on popsicle sticks. Useful for making groups or randomly selecting students to answer questions. ||
 * Numbered Students || If students are assigned numbers and they are referred to throughout the year you can group them by odds-evens or having them match up in different orders. This also works for questioning as you can simply call out a number to make sure you give every student a chance. ||
 * Random Selector on SMART board || Most interactive whiteboards have random selectors. If you import the school photo of each student this works very well. Names, if photos are not available also work. ||
 * Interest || Some activities allow the teacher to group students by a similar interest that they have. ||
 * Student Choice || I find it is important to occasionally let students choose who they work with. It is good to show you that you trust them to make good decisions about who they work with. I usually preface this with, "I look forward to seeing who you choose to be a responsible learner with." ||