Lesson Closure: The Last Gate (Adapted from a presentation by Mr. Jon W. Ramsey)

... Setting the Table... What’s in it for me? This question is asked by students on a daily basis. At the end of the day, teachers need to remind students where they have been and where they are going.

Lesson Closure... At some point near the end of the lesson, a systematic closing of the lesson should occur

Lesson Closure... Is a “natural” stopping point in the lesson Points back to the lesson’s objectives and captures their relevance to what has been taught Keeps the “big picture” in mind Helps to ensure that objectives are met and applied by students

Lesson Closure... May also raise related questions or ideas for students to ponder in anticipation of the next lesson – “Where are we going next?” “What are we going to do tomorrow?” Is similar to looking back on a trail so that one knows from which way he or she came  Effective closure takes time and planning; build it into your lesson plan!!!

The Whole-Part-Whole Method of Teaching... Look at the “big picture” Provide the details (i.e., parts); content Check for understanding Make sure that students are not lost in the details Provide opportunities for application and practice Finally, review the big picture = Closure

An Example Student Learning Experience – Time-wise... “Housekeeping” - ~3 to 5 minutes Interest Approach - ~5 to 7 minutes Content taught/presented - ~15 to 25 minutes Student Application - ~10 to 20 minutes Closure - ~3 to 5 minutes; perhaps more... Assessment and Evaluation of Learning - ~7 to 15 minutes...

... The Lesson Plan... Identification Objectives Teaching Materials Preparation Presentation Application Evaluation

Where are we going next???

Examples of Advanced Organizers (AOs) Reading Assignments Web projects Spelling words Current events Feed samples or feed tags Leaves or other plant samples  AOs can be designed and used to encourage students to think about tomorrow’s lesson...

Food for Thought (FFT)... Education produces learning not essentially by what a teacher says, thinks, or does, but by what a pupil can be encouraged to say, think, do, and feel.

“To teach is to learn twice.” Joseph Joubert

Did you shut the gate????