Using the 5E model of learning in the classroom is important! And although every "E" has its value, let's talk about one in particular...the EXPLANATION. It's the part where you, the teacher, make sure that your students have an understanding of the concept. It's the part that ensures the success of learning the objective. It's the part where you explain or offer some sort of explanation after the engagement and exploration activities. You can increase success in the classroom with explanation.
So, what is an explanation? An explanation refers to the "act or process of explaining". Then, what does it mean to explain? To explain means to offer "a statement" to "clarify something or make understandable". We have standards that we, as teachers, need to help our students understand. Understanding is essential to our students being able to apply and connect what they have learned. Therefore, we must explain. There are several explanation Go To Methods that we use to ensure that our students understand various science standards and learning targets.
Explanation Go To Methods # 1 Don't get me wrong, many of our students either don't like to read or they are not good at reading. However, sometimes it works to let them read about the new concept. Simply obtain an article (write one if you need to) that shares information about the topic. Yes, you can even use ChatGPT to help. Just be sure to read carefully to check for accuracy before sharing with your students.
Be sure to assign a while you read task. The task is essential. It is something that keeps them engaged and thinking while they read. Here are some examples of activities your students can complete while they read an explanation:
Write answers to assigned questions
Highlight answers to assigned questions
For example, underline the answer to question 1 in red. Draw a circle around the answer to question 2 using a black pen. Draw a line through the answer to question 3 using a pencil. Highlight the answer to question 4 using a highlighter. And so forth...
Complete a fill-in-the blank assignment
Write a summary
Write a letter to the teacher or a friend
Draw a picture for the teacher or a friend
Make a poster
Make a foldable
Make a notes page
Identify and categorize vocabulary
Make a WORDLE
For example, as they read sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph, have them draw using symbols, illustrations, or word art a representation of what they visualize as they read.
Explanation Go To Methods # 2
When I was in college, I would come home from class and re-write my notes. I discovered that there was very little that I remembered. A little tidbit about me...I get distracted very easily! Was that a squirrel? =)
For that reason, I didn't remember a lot from class. It was important for me to have notes to jog my memory. Think about all of the distractions our students have during a class period. Someone drops a pencil on the floor, the clock is ticking, a person knocks on the door, the timer goes off, a notebook is closed, someone digs in their bookbag, a pen is clicking, the aquarium is filtering, the teacher is talking, etc. (Not to mention most recently, the text, snaps, tweets, and other phone notifications). You get the idea?! Our students need something to jog their memory of what they learn during the day.
Have your students take notes...but not just any notes. We like to give our students choices. Below are a few choices we like to give:
Traditional notes
Let them write while you explain or have a presentation that they copy from. Now you might be thinking that this choice is very traditional. But believe it or not, some students will still choose this method. Try supplying different color pens, markers, stencils, and stickers for your students to use while writing. Also, embed easy-to-draw clipart and images into the presentation for your visual learners.
Interactive notes
I absolutely LOVE the idea of interactive notes. And we still use them every once in a while when time permits. They do take time (a disadvantage). But, they allow students to interactively "study" by using notes that they have created. Students can create
Fill-in-the-blank notes
Guided notes
These notes are perfect for using if you have practice to do with a concept. Simply leave spaces to write notes and embed questions. Learn small chunks of information then practice. You are guiding the learning through discussion.
Graphic notes
By far my current favorite as well as many of the students' favorite. They even ask for them! All you really need is to create a page with blank space for writing and doodling and bubble fonts and clipart for coloring. I also like to add a frame border with lots of spaces that can be filled in with color, shapes, doodles, and more.
These are just a few ways that we increase student engagement during explanation. How do you explain? SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave SaveSave
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