1. SLANT A Starter Strategy for Class Participation
Edwin Ellis, Ph.D., University of Alabama
Presentation compiled by: Kaye L. Seymour

2. SLANT STRATEGY OVERVIEW
PERTINENT SETTING DEMAND:
Students must participate in class activities to
succeed
PURPOSE:
To enable students to be active participants in
class activities
* Cognitively active
Verbally active
Most of the slides go along with the “guided notes” that is in the packet

3. INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS OF SLANT:
1. to increase the amount of student interaction
and participation during class activities
2. to help students understand how their use of
positive participation behaviors can influence
the reactions of others toward them
3. to enable students to exercise greater
control over their learning experiences
4. to teach students the social and cognitive
comprehension reasons for active class
participation

4. How should the strategy be taught?
Instruction should be light-hearted and
enjoyable. Have fun!
Teach SLANT using the Acquisition Procedures of the Strategies Intervention Model.

5. RATIONALES BEHIND THE SLANT STRATEGY
If students are active participants in class, they learn more.
If students transform information into their own words, they will be more likely to remember it.
If students participate in positive ways, they enhance their relationship with the teacher which leads to a higher quality education.

6. N
These are REAL students – Discovery MS, LS class – with permission

7. 1. Negative verbal
and non-verbal
behaviors by
students
Send
messages
of negative
student attitude 6.
Less learning
occurs
NEGATIVE
CYCLE
3. Decreased
interactions
between student
and teacher
5. Instruction
becomes less
interesting for
student
4. Reduced
student
participation and
elaboration

9. 1. Positive verbal
and non-verbal
behaviors by
student
Send
messages
of student interest
and investment 6.
More
learning
occurs
POSITIVE
CYCLE
3. Increased
interaction
between student
and teacher
5. Instruction
becomes
more
interesting
More
student
participation and
elaboration

10. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU... CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE?
TEACHERS:
Make things more interesting
OTHER STUDENTS:
Learn from you
May be friendlier toward you
YOU:
Understand more
Remember more
ACADEMIC
SUCCESS
Interesting
Presentation
Student
Participates
Discuss: when and where to use the strategy (in and out of school)

11. SLANT During Class S = SIT UP L = LEAN FORWARD
A = ACTIVATE YOUR THINKING
N = NAME KEY INFORMATION
T = TRACK THE TALKER

12. Lean forward Sit up Lean slightly forward. Look interested.
Hips are toward the back of the chair.
No slouching.
Lean forward
Lean slightly forward.
Look interested.

13. Activate your Thinking
Say in your mind what the teacher or talker is saying aloud.
Ask questions about the lesson.

14. Name Key information Raise your hand. Wait to be called on.
Give the answer in a complete sentence.

15. Track the talker Look at the teacher or the presenter.
You may have to turn your body in order to track effectively.

16. ASSIST Before Class Begins
A = ARRIVE ON TIME
S = SIT DOWN
S = STOP TALKING
I = INVESTIGATE THE BOARD FOR INFO
S = SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL
T = TAKE OUT MATERIALS, BOOK, HOMEWORK

17. CLOSE At the end of class
C = CLEAN UP
L = LIST HOMEWORK
O = ORGANIZE NOTEBOOK
S = STORE CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT
E = EXIT APPROPRIATELY

18. SLOUCH NON-EXAMPLE OF SLANT
S = SLIDE DOWN IN YOUR SEAT
L = LAY YOUR HEAD ON YOUR DESK
O = OFFER NO PARTICIPATION OR RESPONSE
U = UNDERMINE YOUR SUCCESS
C = CHRISTMAS TREE ALL YOUR WORK
H = HOPE THAT YOU WILL PASS
I’m bored!!
Consider “practicing” the negative – unless you do in role plays

19. What do you know about the
participation strategy?
What do you think about the
strategy?
What still confuses you?