Ideas to Inspire

I’m getting into these If. . . Then charts and thought I’d share some.

If students are confused (glazed look, or head down, or turning in work that is way off the mark). . . THEN try using the I do it, we do it, you do it format for your lesson. This is a good way of monitoring misunderstandings and almost (no guarantees) ensuring that all students complete the assignment PROFICIENTLY. This method basically asks you to provide well-executed models for students to inspect and provide further support by doing a sample together (formative assessment of understanding) with the entire class. This is done before students are expected to complete an assignment independently.

I Do It, We Do It, You Do It lesson format

Anticipatory Set Teacher activates background knowledge and experiences of students in order to build connections to the lesson objective.

I Do, You Watch Teacher models how to do what the students will be asked to do at the end of the lesson

I Do, You Help Teacher models again, but with the help of selected students

We Do, I Help All students complete some part of the task under the guidance of the teacher, preferably in partners or small groups

You Do, I Watch All students complete the task independently while still under the teacher’s supervision.

Closure, Summarizing Statement Teacher summarizes the purpose and possible applications of the task and gives a homework assignment if applicable.

This strategy is from 40 Ways to Support Struggling Readers in Content Classrooms, Grades 6-12, by Elaine McEwan. I have this book in my professional library if you want to borrow it.

P.S. – Ron’s getting pretty good at this one for note taking and he’ll improve!