C.I.A.
LKSD Best Practice #7
Planned lessons result in challenging, interactive and authentic instruction.
Focus Friday, April 28, 2025
Characteristics of lessons that are challenging, interactive and authentic:
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Fun/ active communication and learning
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Cooperative learning; group activities (pairs)
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Hands-on activities
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Students make their own discoveries
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All responses are accepted and valued
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There is an element of group competition/ teamwork
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Students engage in reflective journals
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The environment facilitates students building self-confidence and self-esteem
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Teacher acts as a facilitator of knowledge and language
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There is an integrated/ cross-discipline approach to academics (math, language arts, writing)
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Teacher avoids using non-curriculum worksheets
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Problem solving tasks are incorporated into the lesson
Stations/ Rotations
Stations (rotations) are an incredible teaching strategy used to chunk information and actively engage students with the lesson content. When exploring stations, students have the opportunity to move at their own pace, or the teacher can set a timer for further structure.
Students working together
When students are given the opportunity to collaborate, their higher order thinking skills are enhanced as well as their ability to orally communicate with others. Working with a partner promotes active listening and critical thinking as well as enhances students' self- esteem.
Hands-on & Authentic Instruction
Students in this high school math class are working together to apply their math content knowledge by building a prototype.
Kinesthetic Learning
The human body is not designed to sit still for 8 hours a day; students of all ages need opportunity for physical movement. Physically interacting with content engages the brain on a deeper level which leads to deeper understanding and retention.
Lesson is challenging, interactive and authentic
These high school students are taking soil samples to measure for water composition during their science class.