8 replies to this topic

[Richard Drew]

what with all the excellent ideas that are coming up for starting lessons, i thought it would be a good idea to share excellent ways of finishing lessons - a far too often ignored key point in a lesson

1 method i often use is to refer pupils back to the key question for the lesson and then in their pairs 1 has to explain to the other the answer to the question - the second person has to listen because any one of the 'listeners' could get picked to explain to the whole class what was just explained to him.

my classes are all clearly lettered - every pair has a person A and a person B - this ensures rotation of the explainers and listeners. I am sure that one day an anarchistic pupils will rise up and announce - "I am not a letter I am a free man!"

[Nichola Boughey]

I play a very simple game with my KS3 pupils - of course I have 15 minutes between every lesson.

The class must sit quietly and I will ask three questions based on the lesson's topic. If a pupil knows the answer to a question they put their hand up and have a go. The class must get three questions right in a row to leave the room. If they get a question wrong or somebody shouts out - even if it is the right answer - then the questions start again.

This usually ensures a quiet end to the lesson and I can obviously gauge the level of difficulty for the questions that I ask as the class progresses.

Works quite well as I reward stickers for the three girls who get the right answers.

[Richard Drew]

i like the idea of 3 in a row, i'll try it

only one downside though - when it goes wrong you are doubly miserable:

1) you realise your lesson has taught them nothing

2) You are stuck with them for longer than is necessary

[A Finemess]

I play "On the Spot". Every pupil is put on the spot at the end of the lesson through the term. (I keep a record on the seating plan). Any pupil put on the spot has to tell me one new thing they've learned that day.

A colleague plays and I've copied, "The Strongest Link". Ask the pupil a question. They can answer or pass. If they pass they can pass to a stronger link ... any other pupil who knows the answer. The stronger link can only be asked once however! (Stops the smartest kids in the class answering all the questions!)

[Nichola Boughey]

Richard - have a little faith.

Firstly - the little darlings have absorbed every gem of wisdom from my fair self during the lesson and usually always get the three questions right.

And if they don't - I feel very powerful restricting their break time - he, he, he!

Trust me - this game usually works.

[Andrew Field]

...and I suppose as its the teacher who sets the questions they can be 'tailored' to suit the time available.

[Nichola Boughey]

you know me so well Andrew...

[Lesley Ann]

key stage 3 national strategy offers insights to the effective plenary!!

[Lesley Ann]

THANKS to the ideas I got from this forum I have had some wonderful plenary sessions from my kids.

taken from the idea: I went to the shop to buy (memory game) I used with year 9/10 'I went to the Frontline and saw...' pupils add to the list, bayonet, rat, dead body.....

with year 8 I ask a closed question, they answer and win the opportunity to ask the whole class a question. Fun begins the more competitive they get, trying to catch their peers out with hard questions....

ta

Edited by Ann, 20 January 2003 - 11:29 PM.