Go Beyond “Explain This Quote”
I’d show a quote and then ask, “What does this quote mean?” And that was it!
What if Dr. Seuss Covered a Poem?
Rather than just “paraphrasing” a poem, what if we did a cover version?
From Frantic Questions to Sensible Sequence
Why was I asking five, unrelated, low-level questions in a row?
Help my students remember these confusing terms!
When we want students to memorize two terms, we actually shouldn’t aim for memorization!
Improving These Novel Study Questions
Let’s fix these nine, underdeveloped discussion questions!
Don’t Make A Mere Model!
This task is all about the product, but completely ignores how students will think.
Go Beyond “Identify Figurative Language”
So students can identify a simile, metaphor, and hyperbole. What next?
From “Too Many Choices” To “One Quality Task”
Fixing an under-developed (but interesting) task that was originally part of a choice menu.
What Makes A Math Puzzle Actually Puzzling?
This math puzzle wasn’t so puzzling. What went wrong?
Context Clues and Classics
How to use a classic to revamp a study of context clues.
Going Beyond “Name That Genre!”
What will my students do after they’ve named the story’s genre?
Comparing Strengths and Weaknesses
Go beyond merely explaining strengths and weaknesses and get students thinking in interesting ways.
Aim High, Scaffold Down in Math
A high level of thinking in math also requires the support of thoughtful scaffolding.