4MAT by Bernice McCarthy

What is 4MAT 4MAT is a lesson plan model that appeals to all types of learners and engages, informs, and allows for practice and creative use of material learned within each lesson. http://www.aboutlearning.com/ (start about 4:45)

4MAT Lessons Connect Attend Imagine Inform Practice Extend Refine Perform

Concrete Experience PERFORMRight CONNECT Right Learner more active Teacher more active Integrate Experience REFINE Left ATTEND Left Active Experimentation Act Reflect Reflective Observation IMAGINE Right EXTENDRight Conceptualize PRACTICE Left INFORMLeft Learner more active Teacher more active Abstract Conceptualization

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 1 Have an experience RIGHT: Connect Capture student’s attention Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and build on what they already know Use cooperative learning that allows for diverse student responses Connect learners to the concept in a personal way Use “real” experience if possible. Hunter calls this Anticipatory Set

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 1 LEFT: Attend Guide students to reflect and analyze the experience. Summarize and review similarities and differences. Clarify the reason for learning React to an experience

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 2 RIGHT: Imagine Use another medium (not reading or writing) to connect students’ personal knowing to the concept (i.e. visual arts, music, movement, etc.). Relate what the students already know to what the experts have found. Build on experience

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 2 Examine expert knowledge LEFT: Inform Provide “expert knowledge” related to the concept. Emphasize the most significant aspects of the concept in an organized, organic manner. Present information sequentially so students see continuity. Draw attention to important, discrete details; don’t swamp students with a myriad of facts. Use a variety of delivery systems; interactive lecture, text, guest speakers, films, visuals, demonstrations, when available. Hunter calls this Instructional Input

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 3 Practice the skills LEFT: Practice Provide opportunities for students to practice new learning, (learning centers, games fostering skills development, etc.). Check for understanding of concepts and skills by using relevant standard materials such as worksheets, text problems, workbooks, teacher prepared exercises, etc. Use concept of mastery learning to determine if re-teaching (correctives) is necessary and how it will be carried out.

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 3 Make the content your own RIGHT: Extend Encourage tinkering with ideas, relationships, connections. Set up situations where student have to find information not readily available in school texts. Provide opportunity for student to design their own open-ended explorations of the concept. Provide multiple options so student can plan a unique “proof” of learning.

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 4 Become more able, skilled, and knowledgeable 4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 4 LEFT: Refine Help students analyze their use of the learning for meaning, relevance, and originality. Help mistakes to become learning opportunities. Summarize by reviewing the whole, bringing students “full circle” to the experience with which the learning began.

4 MAT Lesson Design Quadrant 4 Integrate and demonstrate learning RIGHT: Perform Students report and demonstrate what they have learned. Make student learning available to the larger community, i.e. books students write are shared with other classes, students report in a school newspaper, student work is displayed, etc. Leave students wondering (creatively) about further possible applications of the concept, extending the “what ifs” into the future. Learning is celebrated.

Checklist for 4MAT lesson Quadrant One: Did you begin with situations that build on what the learners already know? Did you use experiential learning? Did you use problem-solving group work? Did you establish the “Why”?

Checklist for 4MAT lesson Quadrant Two: Did you keep the “big idea” in mind while explaining the details of the concept? Did you emphasize the most significant aspects of the concept in an organized, sequential manner? Did you establish the “What”?

Checklist for 4MAT lesson Quadrant Three Did you set up ways in which your students can learn by doing? Did you require that your students test the theories they are learning? Are there elements of absorption, fascination, play, and wonder in this hands-on section of your teaching? Did you establish the “How”?

Checklist for 4MAT lesson Quadrant Four Did you provide situations, related to the content, that allow the students to make the learning their own? Did you provide opportunities for students to polish and share their new learning? Did you establish the “What if”?

So how do I use this to plan a lesson? http://www.aboutlearning.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=79&Itemid=81

Pieces of Eight

4MAT Practice