Categories: 2nd Grade | 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | 6th Grade | 7th Grade | 8th Grade | Art | ESL | History | Language Arts | Math | Music | Reading & Writing | Science | Special Education
Estimated Time: 0-10 minutes
Materials Needed: Post-it® Super Sticky Notes 3 x 3, Neon 6 Pads (654-6SSAN), Post-it® Super Sticky Notes 3 x 3, Ultra Colors 6 Pads (654-6SSAU)
Materials Needed:
- Post-it® Super Sticky Notes 3 x 3
- Neon 6 Pads (654-6SSAN)
- Post-it® Super Sticky Notes 3 x 3
- Ultra Colors 6 Pads (654-6SSAU)
Description:
Create a Brain Booster Parking Lot for students to place any questions they have about the day’s lesson. Then, spend 5 to 10 minutes at the end of class answering and clarifying.
Instructions:
Step 1: Provide an easily accessible place in your classroom. (I have taped off a section of the wall.) Designate this area \"Brain Booster Parking Lot.\"
Step 2: Throughout the lesson, kids are encouraged to write down any questions that they don't feel comfortable asking out loud on their Post-It Notes. (In the eighth grade, this tends to be a lot!)
Step 3: At some point during the class, questions are posted or "parked" on the Parking Lot.
Step 4: At the end of class, I spend 5-10 minutes answering the questions and clarifying concepts.
Step 5: This activity is great not only for content-based questions, but general questions as well. (i.e. "When is the next test?" or "Is there any extra credit available right now?"
Afterwards:
Objective: To provide an open forum in which questions can be addressed in a non-threatening manner.
Lesson Extensions: Occasionally, I will challenge kids to write their own test questions. These contributions are then posted on the Parking Lot. I can then take the questions and incorporate them into assessments.
Supporting All Learners: English Language Learners are also encouraged to ask their questions. This gives them a safe opportunity in which to practice their writing skills without being graded. Early English learners are encouraged to use pictures to illustrate their question. Special education students love this activity because they are able to ask questions anonymously-- which to be honest, is an attractive feature for most self-conscious eighth graders. Also, students are not limited to how many questions they can ask. I have a central location in the classroom in which they can get as many Post-It Notes as they need.
Assignment/Home Connection: I often encourage kids to take home as many Post-It notes as necessary. As they work on homework, they write down any questions they have, then park them in the Parking Lot before class begins the next day. I address any questions in the Parking Lot before taking up the assignment. Oftentimes, many of the questions are the same. This enables me to quickly discern which concepts the students are struggling with.
