Technological Lesson Plan - November - Flash-Driven Gallery Walks

Hi all,

Hope everyone is getting ready to enjoy their break.

It's interesting; incorporating technology into the classroom has become such an integral part of my planning over the past year. I often find myself experimenting with older and proven methods by adding a technological "tweak" to my thinking.

To get my students to move, I have created a series of "Flash-Driven Gallery Walks." I break the students into smaller groups (around 5) and I assign them a specific topic as governed by the district standards. I'll use 7th Grade Language Arts:

(3.f) Use complex punctuation (e.g., commas, colons, semicolons, quotation marks, hyphens, end marks) with greater precision

I make sure that each group has a computer and will then assign the group a specific advanced punctuation mark with a few basic guidelines as to what they should include (exemplars, definitions, clarification, different uses). The groups have time to use the internet and their books for research and find examples as to how exactly their specified mark is used. They create a quick PowerPoint Presentation on their assigned punctuation mark. Once they are finished, we begin a group rotation from computer to computer. Each group has several minutes to watch each presentation and then move on to the next. They take a "scavenger sheet" and fill out the information as they go. I look over the sheets and ask each student to provide their own examples of each mark. I collect these and check for comprehension.

I have frequently let students who are already proficient in the assignment stay on their computer and lead the presentations themselves as the rest of the class rotates. Great opportunity for student-to-student teaching opps.

This is a versatile plan that could be incorporated and adjusted to suit your needs.

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving; get lots of rest and enjoy your loved ones.

Justin