10 reading assignment alternatives

1. "non-structured notes"

  • "allow 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 to submit notes on assigned readings in various formats ... [e.g.] a detailed outline, graphic organizer, poster, summary paragraphs, or other visual representations of the material."
  • "different format samples can be shared with the entire class or within small groups to stimulate discussion of the readings."

2. "written conversations"

  • "prepare prompts (questions or short quotes from the reading) one per sheet of paper, which are then passed around the room with 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 responding to the prompts or posing related questions. alternatively, prompts can be put on posters and hung around the classroom."
  • "世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 walk around adding their responses to the posters."
  • "written conversations can last 10-15 minutes or the entire period. they can be used with the whole class or in groups."

3. "dialogue journals"

  • "each student starts a journal. after certain reading assignments, they write an entry that connects the reading to a personal experience or content in another course, or they summarize the key points of the reading. "the entry ends with a question."
  • "journals are collected and then passed out at random. now 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 provide their own response to the first entry or they’re assigned a new entry, and the journals continue to be passed around."
  • "at the end of the semester, the journal returns to the original owner."

4. "related research"

  • "let 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 research and select their own readings about a course topic... or, after 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 choose a reading and complete it, they switch readings with a partner and come to the class discussion having completed both readings."
  • "with beginning 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 you might need to provide a list of possibilities or suggestions as to where to find relevant readings."
  • "letting 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 select readings deepens content knowledge and enlivens classroom discussions with multiple perspectives."

5. "compare and contrast"

  • "have 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 use visuals such as venn diagrams or other graphics to generate ideas, make valuable connections, and deepen understanding of content."
  • they can do this with partners, in small groups, or as a large group discussion."
  • "this approach leaves 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 with a visual representation of the material, along with the ideas and perspectives provided by their peers."

6. "justify your thinking"

  • "after 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 complete a reading assignment, they write a brief summary identifying which course objectives were met through this reading assignment ... explain[ing] how and why the reading met the objective."
  • "this approach demonstrates that readings are assigned with purpose and helps 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 fulfill the course objectives."

7. "debate with a twist"

  • "take a reading assignment and have half the 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 take a particular position in response to what they read and the other half develop a list of open-ended questions related to the reading."
  • "世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 then defend their position and respond to the open-ended questions."
  • "this ... sets the framework for rich classroom discussions while encouraging critical thinking and giving 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 the chance to try out various arguments."

8. "own the assessment"

  • "have 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 create their own evaluation method for a reading assignment ... [e.g.] a checklist, rubric, summary, or other tool."
  • "what they create can be used for self-assessment or exchanged with a peer who uses the tool to provide formative feedback."
  • "ownership in the assessment increases participation and motivation, and the understanding of what’s needed to make the finished assignment 'good.'"

9. "speed sharing"

  • "after 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 complete a reading assignment, form two single-file lines facing each other."
  • "世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 share one idea, pose a question, or make a connection to what they read with the person directly across from them."
  • "after a predetermined time (say one minute), they rotate to the next person in line and share something different."
  • "[e]ncourage 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 to have the reading with them so they can refer to it and use it to trigger more ideas."

10. "silent chalk talk"

  • "write the main topic and subtopics on the board. have 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 write their ideas, connections, and questions ... us[ing] their reading materials to write quotations and drawings ... [and have] ideas build on each other."
  • "be sure there is time at the end for 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 to review what’s been written about the reading ... [and] incorporate some of the 世界杯2022赛程表淘汰赛 ’ contributions when [you] talk about content contained in the reading."
  • "in larger classes the activity can take place in groups."

bodish, rebecca and ellen spencer. "10 strategies for promoting accountability and investment in reading assignments." faculty focus premium 10 may 2018.