Focusing the Lens
In her seventh grade math class, Mrs. Jones introduces a new math unit, starting with the Pythagorean Theorem. After a brief explanation, she breaks her students into small groups and gives each group a list of vocabulary words. She then informs them they have 10 minutes to run around the room, find items that fit the main vocabulary words, and return those items to their stations. Later, each group will sort the items into a graphic organizer that Mrs. Jones has placed at each work station.
In the above vignette, what type of learning preferences was Mrs. Jones appealing to? If students hadn't found an item that applied to a vocabulary word, what kind of Intelligent Behaviors could Mrs. Jones model to help them? Which strategies did she use to help vocabulary comprehension? What would you have done differently?