Tips for Implementing CALLA
1. Cooperative Learning and Hands-on Activities
Enhancing a lesson with interactive activities provides opportunities for all students to work together and learn from one another. Below you will find links to great websites with tips and ideas on how to incorporate cooperative learning and hands-on activities in the classroom.
Cooperative Learning: Web page developed by Yorba Academy of the Arts Middle School in Orange, Claifornia. The web page discusses this strategy of instruction and provides the basic principles of cooperative learning.
http://www.orangeusd.org/yorba/OLD/cooperative_learning.htm
The Teacher's Guide: Website designed for teachers filled with free interactive resources and activities to actively engage the students in the classroom.
http://www.theteachersguide.com/
2. Use Prior Knowledge
Prior knowledge can be defined as a students' preexisting experiences and knowledge about a topic at hand. Activating prior or background knowledge is important because it helps a student make connections between what they already know and what they will be learning, making it easier for a student to grasp and retain a concept.
Activating Prior Knowledge: This website developed by the West Virginia Department of Education offers great strategies and tips on how to activate students' prior knowledge.
http://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/activating.html
3. Address Different Learning Styles
"It's not how smart you are, but how you are smart" -Howard Gardner
Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences has opened up our eyes to the idea that not all students learn the same way. Gardner developed 8 multiple intelligences; Visual- Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, and Naturlistic intelligence. With the understanding that our students have different learning styles comes the understanding that teachers must address all styles in order to meet the needs of the diversity of our classrooms.
Multiple Intelligences: Website last updated on 2011 by Roger Hampton "in an effort to organize information from various sources on the subject of Multiple Intelligences for consideration and utilization by educators." This website is filled with detailed information on multiple intelligences and creative lesson plan ideas that cater to the different learning styles.
http://www.lth3.k12.il.us/rhampton/mi/mi.html
4. Use Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are used in the classroom as a way for students to visually represent concept information and ideas. Graphic organizers should be used to enhance a lesson whenever applicable because they assist the students in brainstorming, connecting, and organizing different ideas. In addition, graphic organizers can also facilitate students' comprehension of a concept, and further develop their writing and vocabulary skills.
Instructional Strategies Online: This web page last updated on 2009 by the public schools of the city of Saskatoon, Canada offers a variety of instructional strategies including many graphic organizers templates, their purpose, and tips on how to implement it in the classroom.
http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/pd/instr/strats/graphicorganizers/index.html