Cues,+Questions,+and+Advance+Organizers

= Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers = = =


 * ===Webquest===
 * ===Blog===
 * ===**Brainpop**===

** Webquest **
Rationale: Webquest's are a great tool to use to get students to find information on their own, in a guided manner. Teachers are able to ask students questions, and then the students are expected to find the answers. Teachers usually want to include websites students will use, but not always necessary. The webquest then serves as an organizational tool to answer questions as students find answers. Webquests can be used at the beginning of a unit, during the unit, or at the end to review information. Students can work independently or in small groups. They allow students to freely think about questions and to find answers be using basic research skills. Students are required to read and dig through information to find what they are looking for. They can also be given an organizer to fill out, instead of basic questions. In this case, the teacher could ask students to compare and contrast items. Students could be given a venn diagram, and can then use the webquest links to fill it out. Overall, students have to find what is most important and focus on the key information.

Resources Needed:
 * Computer per student/group of students
 * Internet access
 * Organizer worksheet
 * Links (usually best if teacher places them on a class webpage)

** Blog **
Rationale: A blog is a form of technology that sometimes doesn't get used as often as it could be. Blogs are a way for people to write down information or to discuss a topic with others. In the school setting, blogs can by used in multiple ways to discuss topics or to have students respond to questions. Depending on computer availability, teachers can create a blog and post a daily or weekly question. Students can then get on and answer. In the same way, students can also discuss a question and various answers. Students could be instructed to back their argument or answer with evidence, where students could link a website to the blog. This allows students to look at information and get in the habit of supporting their answer, whether in an assignment like this, or when they are answering questions in class. The blog can also serve as an organizer of information. Blogs can be set up in many ways, based on the teachers wishes, and can organize information in a chapter or unit.

Resources Needed:
 * Computer per student (if being done at school)
 * Internet access
 * Blog page (Can be added to a teachers page, new one created at blogspot.com)

**Brain Pop**
Rationale: Brain Pop is a website that aligns with many state standards and includes videos that teach about a topic in many subject areas. Teachers can find a video that goes with a lesson, and share it with the class. Most of the videos are short in length (under 10 minutes) and includes detailed information in a cartoon format. The main character is a boy, with his friend, a robot, and together they seek information about various topics. They seek to know something and then explain it. Along the way, they act out the topic or show pictures. It's usually a unique way at looking at something. At the end of the video, the teacher has some choices in activities to do with the class. There is a question segment that asks questions over the video (questions over the topic that are key to understanding) that students can answer. The teacher can call on students, take volunteers, or have students write their answers down. There is also an activity section with various activities to do with organizers and printouts. There is a Q/A section where general questions are asked and answered, and an FYI section that contains interesting facts or different viewpoints.

Resources Needed:
 * Computer connected to projector
 * Subscription to Brain Pop (Can subscribe by school, district, classroom, or individual. Prices vary based on subscription size)

**Education Challenge:**
Differentiated Instruction

A challenge in education is to differentiate for all of the students in the class. Students are not only on different education levels, but learn in different and distinct ways. The activities described in this section seek to differentiate and show various ways that allow students to answer questions. A webquest allows students to seek and find answers on their own, and it is easy to give students different questions, or provide more websites and directions to students who need it. A blog is also a different way to have students answer questions by allowing them to type and to prove their answer. It also allows students to have a conversation online. Sometimes, students will not speak in class but will participate online where they don't speak. Brain pop also is a differentiation tool as it can be used in multiple ways, based on the students in class. Some students could be given extra things to review on the site, while others might move on to something new. Overall, the activities seek to allow students to learn, answer, and organize information in various and distinctive ways.

Home Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers Homework and Practice Identifying Similarities and Differences Providing Feedback Reinforcing Effort Simulations and Games Summarizing and Note Taking