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Breed Middle School
Determining Importance Month Tips
November & December
This strategy is considered by some to be the most important
strategy for students to master; hence two months are devoted to
this. Although two months are set aside to highlight determining
importance it should continue to be an ongoing theme in every
classroom every day. It is vital that our students get the gist or
“big picture” of the information you are providing and be able to
back it up with relevant and specific details. This is a skill that
can be learned with practice. Please provide examples, model your
own thinking about how you came up with the main idea and details,
and provide frequent opportunities for students to apply this
necessary skill. On the back of this sheet is a simple worksheet
that can be copied and used in all classes. When student work is
collected, this type of assignment would be right on target since it
addresses the needs indicated on our PIM plan.
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Use the classroom set of
highlighters to have students highlight key words in
directions and questions to be sure they are answering
exactly what is being asked.
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Say to students “This is important – You need to know this”.
When the main idea or overview of the lesson is being taught.
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Make sure students walk away with what is important versus what
is unimportant. At the end of class say, “Tell me (or write)
three important things you’ve learned today”. These exit slips
are extremely beneficial. A 90 second “Quick-Write” where
students summarize the day’s learnings are a valuable formative
assessment and can inform your instruction.
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Use note taking as much as possible so students have practice
deciphering what is important to write down. Go over the notes
at the end of class.
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Have students orally recite back your main points in class so
peers can hear it in “student friendly” terms and this also
gives you an opportunity to correct misconceptions.
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Use the “Determining Importance” worksheet template copied on
the back of this sheet as much as possible.
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Teach the students ways to determine the important information
from a text book by paying attention to charts, pictures,
captions, bold, italics, summaries, sidebars, glossary, index,
guide questions, etc.
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To
learn more about determining importance
click to view the
PowerPoint presentation |