Engaging Students from Bell to Bell

Recently, I was asked by a school district to showcase how to engage students from bell to bell in a blended learning environment.  I generated a quick presentation of what a 50 minute class period would look like from the viewpoint of the students and the viewpoint of the teacher.  The five-minute video will quickly explain entrance tickets, learning studios, and exit tickets that can be used in any classroom setting.  

Entrance Ticket Ideas: 

• Post a selfie to the group Padlet, Seesaw, or LMS and share out one thing that they are looking forward to today. 
• Post a problem of the day
• Post a quote of the day and have the students write, talk, or create something that represents how the quote inspires them. 
• Create a quick FlipGrid post about their passion project

Mini Lessons

• Mini-lessons are key!  Being able to teach the students in small groups will improve student engagement, student relationships, keep track of data, and it will allow for quick checkpoints.  
• Tips for Mini-Lessons: if you are going to repeat yourself to each group, videotape the essential aspects of your mini-lesson, have the students watch the video in the digital content.  During your mini-lesson, enrich the content that you shared with the students, ask in-depth questions, or break down the material to help the students understand the learning target
• Here are a few quick tips on how to keep mini-lessons mini from Thing Grow Giggle​

Independent Learning Studio

• Think of the Independent Learning Studio as a time where students can process the information or where they can challenge themselves to figure it out.  
• Since a group of students will have to start at the independent learning studio implement the 4-2-2 rule.

Digital Content Learning Studio

• The digital content learning studio is a time where the students can learn or relearn the learning targets.  
• Students can also practice the learning targets through adaptive technology programs
• Digital Content is not a place to create.  The creation aspect will appear in the Future Ready Skills
• Be careful to make sure that the digital content is not confused with independent practice.  

Future Ready Learning Studio

• Students should be creating, collaborating, communicating, connecting, and using critical thinking skills in the Future Ready Learning Studio
• Explore our blog post about the Evolution of Future Ready Skills to learn more.

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