The National Conference in Louisiana was AWESOME!! I love, love, love the 5 step lesson format:

1. Question-ask a question
2. Answer- answer the question/restate
3. Expand-give details/examples
4. Test-- QT- yes/no way game and QT(quick cover your eyes) individual check
5. Critical thinking- written response

This format can be used with any lesson and will take it to the next deeper level of learning.

Should the critical thinking response be written in a journal or just on a sheet of paper and turned in?

Laura Caisse
WBT Intern 2011-2012

At the beginning of the year, the critical thinking portion was more of an oral response with their partners. They still had that deeper level of thinking, but we were working on speaking it out, so we had a better understanding of what would be expected in our writing, especially for my 3rd graders. I think that a journal would be a great way to have them respond though, and then you could collect it at the end of the week for a quick review of their responses. You'll be able to tell quickly which students need to work more on their writing and who is sturggling with the concepts you've been teaching.

Thanks,
Staci Glass
WBT Intern, 2011-2012

My district uses SMART books. Each student has a notebook they keep on their desk and they would write a note for each concept there so everything is in one place. Most teachers at my school have one for language arts and one for math. I had my first grade students write the question and answer for Power Pics in their SMART books.

I like the name "smart book". I am thinking of a way to make a mini picture of the Power pics, for their teach-OK, and then letting them do partner QT. Just want to follow up with an individual "test" to check for accuracy. Thanks for sharing
Annette

I forgot what the letters stand for but the idea is to put all your learning in one spot that helps you to be smart. You could print the power pics multiple pages on a sheet and cut them apart. 2 pages per sheet would be good I think.

I love the idea of using a SMART book to keep all of their learning in one place.

I'm thinking my 5th graders could also incorporate a writing 'rubric' into the SMART book & 'grade' their partners work focusing on one writing concept at a time (ie: week 1- focus only on idea. Did your partner clearly state their idea? week 2- punctuation Did your partner have correct ending punctuation in every sentence?). This would allow them to complete the Critical Thinking piece and also a bit of writing instruction at the same time.

Thanks for the ideas!

Tiffany
WBT Intern 2011-2012

Great Idea about putting their critical thinking responses in one place..Smart Book!! They can always refer back. How exactly would you incorporate the Power Pic idea..details and suggestions please. Tiffany: I love love the proofreading instruction for writing through these "smart books" or responses. Not only could they do this daily, but it would let them see their partner's point of view by reading the partner's response.
Thanks guys! Great ideas!!

ERica Briley
erica-elementaryexcitement.blogspot.com