What Are Instructional Strategies?

Instructional Strategies
What are Instructional strategies are techniques teachers use to help students
become independent, strategic learners. These strategies become
instructional learning strategies when students independently select the appropriate
ones and use them effectively to accomplish tasks or meet goals.
strategies? Instructional strategies can:
motivate students and help them focus attention
organize information for understanding and remembering
monitor and assess learning.
To become successful strategic learners students need:

step-by-step strategy instruction
a variety of instructional approaches and learning materials
appropriate support that includes modelling, guided practice and
independent practice
opportunities to transfer skills and ideas from one situation to
another
meaningful connections between skills and ideas, and real-life
situations
opportunities to be independent and show what they know
encouragement to self-monitor and self-correct
tools for reflecting on and assessing own learning.
Effective instructional and learning strategies can be used across

grade levels and subject areas, and can accommodate a range of
student differences.
Instructional strategies that are especially effective in the health

education program include:
cooperative learning
group discussion
independent study
portfolio development
journals and learning logs
role-playing
cognitive organizers
literature response
service learning
issue-based inquiry.
Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation (K9) Instructional Strategies /67
Alberta Learning, Alberta, Canada 2002
Cooperative Cooperative learning involves students working in small groups to
complete tasks or projects. Tasks are structured so that each group
learning member contributes to the completion of the task. Success is based on
the performance of the group rather than on the performance of
individual students.
Program benefits
Cooperative learning activities play an important role in increasing
students respect for and understanding of each others abilities,
interests and needs. These activities encourage students to take
responsibility for their learning.
Tips for getting started

Consider the following suggestions for successful cooperative
learning in the health education classroom.
Keep groups smalltwo to five members is best (the larger the
group, the more skillful group members must be).
Create diverse groups; this allows everyone to learn from each
others differences.
Structure groups in such a way that success depends on each
group member being responsible for some part of the task.
Initially, group students and assign roles within each group.
Teach basic routines for classroom management, including
forming groups quickly and quietly, maintaining appropriate noise
levels, inviting others to join the group, treating all students with
respect and helping or encouraging peers.
Monitor behavioural expectations by scanning groups, using
proximity and friendly reminders, sitting and watching a group for
a while, revisiting expectations, and when necessary, reteaching
expectations.
Ensure individual students are aware of their roles and
responsibilities within the group. Post a list of roles or give
students cards describing specific roles.
Discuss and model collaborative skills, such as listening, allowing
others to speak, asking for help when needed, reaching consensus
and completing a task within the allotted time. Students need
opportunities to practise these skills, and receive feedback and
reinforcement.
Allow students time to evaluate the cooperative learning process,
both individually and as a group.
Thinkpairshare
In thinkpairshare, the teacher poses a topic or question. Students
think privately about the question for a given amount of time, usually
one to three minutes. Each student then pairs with a partner to discuss
the question, allowing students to clarify their thoughts. Next, each
pair has an opportunity to share their answers with the whole class.
68/ Instructional Strategies Health and Life Skills Guide to Implementation (K9)
2002 Alberta Learning, Alberta, Canada
Thinkpairshare is a cooperative learning strategy that provides
opportunities for students to:
participate
learn from others
make connections.
Forming learning groups

There are many strategies to choose from when forming cooperative
learning groups. Using a variety of strategies ensures that students
have an opportunity to work with many different group members
throughout the year.
Consider the following strategies for forming groups.

Pairing up partnersStudents pair up with someone who falls
into the same category. For example, students pair up with the
first person they meet who is wearing the same colour socks as
them.
Pick a cardUse old decks of cards to form groups. For
example, to get groups of four, put together four king of spades,
four queen of diamonds, and so on. Distribute the cards randomly
and ask students to find the others with matching cards.
Chalkboard listThis is a good strategy to use when students
are finishing their work at different times. As students complete
one assignment, they write their names on the chalkboard. When
three names accumulate, they form a new group and move on to
the next activity.
1. Lee 1. Eric 1. 1.
2. Sam 2. Haijia 2. 2.
3. Rain 3. 3. 3.
For additional ideas on forming learning groups, see Energize!

Energizers and Other Great Cooperative Activities for All Ages by
Carol Apacki.
Group roles
The roles in a cooperative learning group depend on the task. Before
assigning roles, review the task and determine what roles are
necessary for the group to be successful. Roles could include:3
CheckerEnsures that everyone understands the work in
progress.
TimekeeperWatches the clock and makes sure the group
finishes the task within the time allotted.
QuestionerSeeks information and opinions from other
members of the group.
RecorderKeeps a written record of the work completed.
ReporterReports on the groups work to the rest of the class.
EncouragerEncourages everyone in the group to contribute
and offers positive feedback on ideas.
Materials managerGathers the material necessary to complete
the task. At the end of the task, the materials manager returns
materials and turns in the groups work.
ObserverCompletes a checklist of social skills for the group.
When introducing roles to the class, explain and model them. Give
students opportunities to practise. Emphasize that all roles are equally
important and contribute to the success of the group.
Students need many opportunities to work in small groups to improve

their ability to be part of a team. The number one reason people fail at
their jobs is their inability to get along with coworkers. Cooperative
learning creates opportunities for students to learn and apply
important social and communication skills.
Cooperative learning is an effective strategy for the health education

classroom. It enhances perspective, encourages higher-level
reasoning, creates social support and provides opportunities for
students to participate in meaningful, thoughtful activity.
Group achievement marks

One controversial aspect of cooperative learning is whether or not to
assign group achievement marks. Spencer Kagan, in OConnors The
Mindful School: How to Grade for Learning, argues against using a
group achievement mark for the following reasons.
Group marks convey the wrong message. If grades are partially a
function of forces entirely out of students control, such as who
happens to be their partners, that sends students the wrong
message.
Group marks violate individual accountability if individual
students find ways to manipulate situations to their advantage.
Group achievement marks are responsible for parents, teachers
and students resistance to cooperative learning.
Rather than awarding group achievement marks, Kagan suggests

providing feedback in written form on students cooperative learning
skills. Kagan believes students will work hard if they know in
advance that such feedback will occur. He also suggests asking
students to set their own goals and use self-assessment to promote
learning and improve social skills.
Group Group discussions are an integral part of the health and life skills
classroom. They are essential for building background on specific
discussions issues, creating motivation and interest, and giving students a forum
for expressing and exploring new ideas and information.
Group discussions help students learn to articulate their views and
respond to opinions that differ from their own. Group discussions
may involve the whole class or a small group. Groups of two to six
students work well. Participating in group discussions help students
consider other peoples perspectives and develop effective problem-
solving skills.
Consider the following suggestions for using group discussions in the
classroom.
Create an atmosphere of openness and acceptance. Encourage
students to show respect for the ideas and opinions of others even
though they might not agree with them. Model this behaviour for
students.
Establish ground rules for discussion. Rules should include:
no put-downs
no interrupting
everyone has the right to pass.
Be prepared to accept silence after a question. Give students the
opportunity to think before they respond.
Encourage students to formulate their own questions. Asking
good questions is an important part of learning.
Probe beyond neat and tidy answers. Encourage students to
express what they really think, not simply say what they think the
teacher or other students want to hear. Use what if questions.
Present situations where there are no right or wrong answers.
Offer situations in which people have a variety of opinions or
emotions. Discuss the idea that sometimes the best solution is to
agree to disagree.
Ask What else questions to encourage students to go beyond
their first responses.
Guard against inappropriate disclosure. Be vigilant in situations
where students might reveal hurtful or embarrassing information
about themselves. Head off such revelations.
Talking circles4
Talking circles are useful when the topic under consideration has no
right or wrong answer, or when people need to share feelings. The
purpose of talking circles is not to reach a decision or consensus.
Rather, it is to create a safe environment for students to share their
points of view with others. This process helps students gain trust in
their classmates. They come to believe that what they say will be
heard and accepted without criticism. They may also gain an
empathetic appreciation for other points of view.
Talking circles may initially require a facilitator to ensure guidelines
are followed. People are free to react to the situation in any manner
that falls within the following guidelines.
All comments, negative or positive, should be addressed directly

to the question or issue, not to comments that another participant
has made.
Only one person speaks at a time. Everyone else listens in a

nonjudgemental way to the speaker. Some groups find it useful to
signify who has the floor. Going around the circle systematically
is one way to achieve this. Passing an object, such as a feather,
from speaker to speaker is another method.
Silence is an acceptable response. No one should be pressured at

any time to contribute. There must be no negative consequences,
however subtle, for saying, I pass.
At the same time, everyone must feel invited to participate. There

should be some mechanism to ensure that a few vocal people
dont dominate the discussion. An atmosphere of patient and
nonjudgemental listening usually helps shy students speak out and
louder ones moderate their participation. Going around the circle
in a systematic way, inviting each student to participate by simply
calling each name in turn can be an effective way to even out
participation. It is often more effective to hold talking circles in
small groups.
Students should avoid comments that put down others or

themselves, such as I dont think anyone will agree with me,
but . Words like good or excellent are also forms of
judgement.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is an effective technique for generating lists of ideas,
and creating interest and enthusiasm for new concepts or topics.
Brainstorming provides teachers and students with an overview of
what students know and/or think about a specific topic. Students can
use brainstorming to organize their knowledge and ideas. The
information gathered during brainstorming can be used as a starting
point for more complex tasks, such as essay outlines or mind maps.
The ideas can also be used to assist in the decision-making process.
Brainstorming serves a variety of purposes. It can be used to
introduce new units of study, assess knowledge at the beginning or
end of units, review information for tests, generate topics for writing
assignments or projects, solve problems or make group decisions.
Establish brainstorming ground rules such as:
accept all ideas without judgement
everyone participates
focus on quantity rather than quality.
During the brainstorming activity, record single words or phrases.
Continue brainstorming until ideas run out or the time limit is over.
Review the ideas and look for ways to combine and/or sort
them.
Independent Independent study is an individualized learning experience that allows

students to select a topic focus, define problems or questions, gather
study5 and analyze information, apply skills, and create a product to show
what has been learned. Independent study can be effectively used in
upper elementary and junior high health programs. This learning
strategy works best with students who have a high degree of self-
directedness and a mastery of basic research skills.
The general purposes of independent study include:
learning to gather, analyze and report information
encouraging in-depth understanding of specific content areas
making connections between content and real-life applications.
Basics
A successful independent study project depends on recognizing and
planning for these basic elements:
cooperative teacherstudent planning of what will be studied and
how it will be shown
alternative ideas for gathering and processing information
multiple resources that are readily available
teacher intervention through formal and informal studentteacher
communication
time specifically allowed for working and conferencing
working and storage space
opportunities for sharing, feedback and evaluation
student recognition for expertise and finished product
established evaluation criteria.
Studentteacher interaction
Regular studentteacher interaction is essential during independent
study. The interaction may be formally structured conferences or
casual conversations as teachers circulate while students are working.
Teachers interact with students in order to:
keep in touch
help with problem solving
provide direction
open up new areas for exploration and production
give encouragement
introduce, teach and/or reinforce the needed skill.
Independent study plans
In developing independent study plans, it is important to:
select topics or issues that are motivating
discuss and brainstorm possible questions
identify key questions to pursue and answer
develop plans and time sequences
locate and use multiple resources
use learning to create products
share findings with classmates
evaluate the process, products and use of time
explore possibilities that could extend studies into new areas of
learning.
(See Student activity master 1: Independent study and research on

page 1 of Appendix C.)
Topics for independent study

Topics can come from a variety of sources:
learner outcomes in the Health and Life Skills Program of Studies,
such as the effects of smoking
an extension of the regular curriculum, such as how volunteers
contribute to the economy of the community
a problem to be solved, such as finding out what motivates young
people to participate in high-risk sports
an event in the environment, such as the effect of new smoking
bylaws on the local social and business scene.
Readiness for independent study
Students are at varying levels of readiness for independent work.6
Use this chart to identify where students are on a continuum, from
having basic skills to being ready to assume the full responsibility and
challenge of self-guided learning.
Progression toward independent learning over time
Basic skills of Structured Shared Self-guided

independence independence independence learning
Making choices Selecting from Student poses and Student plans,

Finding answers among topics teacher refines: executes, evaluates
Using resources Completing open- Problem
Planning time ended assignments Design Teacher is available
Basic elements of Posing and Timelines for consultation and
answering questions Process feedback as needed
critical and creative
thinking Following preset Evaluation
Goal setting timelines criteria
Follow-through Self-evaluation
Discussion of goal according to Student documents
attainment prepared criteria process
Skills of problem (Metacognition)
solving
Documenting stages Teacher monitors
in the process process
High teacher structure Low teacher structure

Low student determination High student determination
Short-term potential Long-term potential
In-class completion Out-of-class completion
Many students are between categories of development at any given

time. For example, one student may be quite capable of generating a
problem for study and a design for investigating the problem, but lack
skills of adhering to timelines without close teacher supervision.
Teachers need to know:
that movement toward independence is developmental
that there are specific skills required in order to develop
independence
that students vary in their readiness to apply certain skills
what level of readiness each student has, and encourage maximum
application of skills at that level.
Suggestions for successful independent study
When students are ready to begin working at a shared independence or
self-guided level, they are ready to design independent studies with
reasonably well-developed degrees of student determination and out-
of-class, long-term investigation potential. The following guidelines
ensure greater success in independent study projects and may be
modified for the readiness level of students.6
Have students propose a topic for study that they really care
about. This maximizes intrinsic motivation and goes a long way
toward ensuring follow-through.
Encourage students to read broadly about the topic before they
describe the project. This ensures they understand the issues they
will be studying before they proceed.
Help students use a variety of resources for their study, including
people, print resources and other media.
Have students find problems or issues that professionals in the
field think are important and might choose to study.
Ensure that students develop timelines for completing the whole
task as well as components of it. Keeping a simple calendar of the
time spent and tasks completed on a given day may be useful in
helping students and teachers monitor progress and work habits.
Many students at the shared independence level need to have
teachers and peers critique their work as it progresses to reduce
procrastination and monitor quality. For these students, it is
helpful to establish check-in dates.
Have students plan to share their work with an audience that can
appreciate and learn from what students create. Students should
participate in identifying and securing these audiences.
Audiences may range in size from one to many.
Help students develop awareness of a range of possible final
products.
Have students generate criteria to evaluate their products. These
rubrics should be developed early in the process and modified as
the project develops. Criteria give students a sense of power over
their own work and help teachers evaluate final products fairly
and objectively.
If independent projects are part of class work, ensure students
understand:
when it is appropriate to work on the independent study
where in the classroom and within the school they may work
what materials need to be at school for in-class work
other ground rules for in-class independent study.
Portfolio Portfolios are a chance for students to gather, organize and illustrate
examples of their learning and accomplishments. It is the process of
development creating, collecting, reflecting on and selecting work samples that
engages students in continuous reflection and self-assessment.
Purposes
Students may develop a portfolio for many purposes, including:
documenting their activities and accomplishments over an
extended period of time
monitoring and adjusting their actions and plans
communicating their learning with others
expressing and celebrating their creative accomplishments
providing a foundation by which to assess their personal growth
and skill development, and to set future goals.
Portfolios develop students organizational skills and increase their

sense of responsibility and ownership in their work. Students are
encouraged to produce their best work, value their own progress and
select products for their portfolio that represent what they are
learning.
Benefits
Portfolio development can be a useful strategy in health education
because it allows teachers to see students thinking. It also
gives students a format and motivation for completing assignments
and is helpful in assessing and communicating student learning.
Portfolios allow students a measure of autonomy and self-expression
that can be highly motivating.
Process versus product

Although the ultimate goal of a portfolio is a product, the process of
creating that product is where the most learning takes place.
The portfolio process has four steps.

1. Collect
2. Select
3. Reflect
4. Share.
Step 1: Collect
Throughout the term, students should maintain a collection of their
class work and any other pieces that show relevant skills and
achievement. It is important to have effective strategies in place to
organize and manage portfolio selections. Success for All Learners:
A Handbook on Differentiating Instruction offers the following tips on
managing portfolios.7
Choose and use a system to store all work until portfolio
selections are made. Storage boxes, manila envelopes, unused
pizza boxes and three-ring binders are all sturdy, inexpensive
options.
Provide students with checklists of requirements to help them
collect, select and organize their pieces. Checklists can double as
the table of contents for younger students.
Include photographs of projects and activities at various stages of
development. Photos can document skills in action.
Write captions for various pieces on index cards and clip them to
the samples.
Have readers of the portfolio (teachers, parents, peers) fill out a
feedback form or attach their feedback to various pieces.
Step 2: Select
It is important to establish clear criteria for what is to be included in
portfolios. Teachers and students need to work together to establish
criteria and begin the selection process. At certain points in the term,
students must reflect on the pieces in their collections, assess them
against these criteria and make appropriate selections.
A basic portfolio contains:8

a cover page
a table of contents
a statement of student goals
items that represent understanding of concepts
items that illustrate the process of learning, such as excerpts from
learning logs and journals or a sample project in all its stages,
along with the students commentary on decisions made along the
way
performance items that demonstrate applications of concepts and
skills
self-assessment rubrics
labels and captions that identify items, explain the context in
which they were produced and provide reasons for choosing them
(see sample portfolio ticket below).
Portfolio Ticket
I chose this piece of work because

.
It really shows that Im improving

.
I did this ! by myself

! with a partner
! ___________
! ___________
Signed _________________ Dated
Other content possibilities include:8

a piece chosen from the students work by a classmate, with a
caption explaining why he or she considered the piece a valuable
addition
a piece from another subject area that relates to the health and life
skills program, such as a graph created for math that shows daily
activity choices of students
an artifact from outside the school demonstrating the transfer of
concepts and skills, such as a letter to the editor on a health-
related issue.
In The Mindful School: The Portfolio Connection, Burke, Fogarty and
Belgrad offer a sample list of criteria, which includes:9
accuracy of information growth and development
connection to other subjects insightfulness
correctness of form knowledge of concepts
creativity organization
development of process persistence
diversity of entries progress
diversity of multiple quality products
intelligences self-assessment
evidence of thoughtfulness visual appeal.
This list could be used both to select portfolio items and to develop
assessment criteria.
Step 3: Reflect
Teachers can use the portfolio process to teach students to critique
their work and reflect on its merits. As students review their samples,
teachers can prompt students analysis and decision-making skills by
asking them to think about these questions.
What really makes something your best work?
What examples do you want to keep in your portfolio to represent
what you are learning in health throughout the year?
How is this product different from other pieces of work?
How does the product show something important that you think or
feel?
How does this product demonstrate a new skill you are learning?
How does this product demonstrate the progress youve made in a
specific topic of health education?
Step 4: Share
The final stage in the portfolio process is sharing the portfolio with
others. Portfolios can be presented in many different formats,
including the following:
print format (text, pictures, graphics)
folder
scrapbook
binder with dividers and/or page protectors
portfolio case formatzippered case or box large enough to hold
materials such as art work
multimedia format, such as videotapes and audiotapes, CD-ROMs
or photographs
Internet or web-based format.
It may be useful to maintain two portfolio files or binders: one binder

could contain all material from the collect stage and the second
could be a final share version.
For more ideas on portfolio development, see Assess, Evaluate and

Communicate Student Learning, pages 124126 of this guide.
Inside a sample health and life skills portfolio
Work from another

A solution to an A report of a group project, with subject area that
open-ended question comments about the individuals relates to health, such
showing originality and contribution; for example, as data collected about
creative problem solving a survey of volunteer opportunities in eating habits and
the community presented in a graph
a review of current television shows for math class
that depict teen lifestyle
A health
autobiography A list of important health
and life skills questions
generated by the student,
with or without answers
Completed self-
assessment
checklists Art work, such
as collages,
The focus in student portfolios is on: advertisements,
Graphic organizers storyboards
student thinking
such as KWL, a growth over time
Venn diagram or a
health and life skills connections
T-chart Excerpts from
the decision-making and goal-setting
processes. response
journal
Notes from an
interview
A table
of contents
Computer disc
containing a
PowerPoint Draft, revised and final
presentation versions of research
A ticket attached to each
project on a health
product briefly explaining the
issue, including such
learning context and why this
items as writing,
A photo or sketch of a piece was chosen for the
diagrams, graphs and
students presentation to portfolio
charts
the class
Goals and action plans
outlining commitment to
improved health
Journals and Journals and learning logs provide students with opportunities to
record their thoughts, feelings and reflections on a variety of topics or
learning logs experiences. Journals allow students to explore ideas and clarify their
own thinking.
In the health and life skills classroom, use journals to:10

record key ideas from presentations, lectures or reading
assignments
make predictions about what will happen next in school, national
or world events
record questions
summarize the main ideas of a book, film or reading
connect the ideas presented to other subject areas or students
personal lives
monitor change in an experiment or event over time
respond to questions
brainstorm ideas
help identify problems and issues
identify solutions and alternatives
keep track of the number of problems solved or articles read.
Journals are useful tools in the health curriculum because they give
students an ongoing opportunity to reflect on their learning. Students
need opportunities to process what they have just learned and reflect
on how that learning affects their lives.11 Keeping logs and journals
are two strategies that reinforce reflective teaching and learning by
helping students construct knowledge for themselves.
Process new information

Learning logs and journals can be used to process new information
during class time. Teachers can give direct instruction in 10- to
15-minute segments, and then ask students to write down key ideas,
questions, connections or reflections. This gives students an
opportunity to think about new materials, clarify confusion, discuss
key ideas and process information before moving on to new
material.12
Learning log
Name Topic Date
Key ideas:
Connections:
Questions:
There are a number of benefits learning logs offer.13
They provide students with a format for identifying and
remembering key ideas.
They allow students more time to process information.
They can be used to review for quizzes and tests.
They can be included in portfolios.
They allow students who miss a class to borrow logs from friends
to keep up with class work.
They allow teachers to identify confusion or misunderstandings
during the lesson and make adjustments to instruction.
They allow students to connect ideas they are learning to real-life
experiences and concerns.
Promote reflection and higher-level thinking

The following journal format uses questions to encourage students to
reflect on what they learned at the beginning of a lesson, in the middle
and at the end.14
At the beginning of the lesson

What questions do you have from yesterday?
Write two important points from yesterdays discussion.
In the middle
What do you want to know more about?
How is this like something else?
Is this easy or difficult for you? Explain why.
At the end
Something you heard that surprised you
How could you use this outside class?
A related journal format encourages students to reflect on their

learning by looking back, looking in and looking forward.15
Looking back
What activities did we do?
What did I learn?
How does what I learned relate to the real world?
Looking in
What did I like or dislike about the learning experience?
How do I feel about what I learned?
What questions or concerns do I have about what I learned?
Looking forward
What would I like to learn more about?
What goal could I set for myself?
How might what I learned help me in the future?
Self-assessment
Work with students to develop self-assessment tools that encourage
them to set higher goals in their journal writing. Two interesting
formats from Kay Burkes How to Assess Authentic Learning look at
the level of thoughtfulness, depth and personalization of students
responses.16
Journal response
0 1 2 3 4
undeveloped partial adequate interesting powerful
Journal response
Little Some Strong
evidence of evidence of evidence of
thoughtfulness thoughtfulness thoughtfulness
1 2 3
Response Response Response

only supported by supported by
specific examples and
examples personal
reflections
Management tips
Consider the following suggestions for using journals in the health
and life skills classroom.
Allow students to mark any entry private. Entries marked
private are read only by the teacher. They will not be shared with
others without students permission.
Respond to journal entries by asking questions that guide
students decision-making or problem-solving process.
Focus on expression of ideas rather than mechanics of spelling
and neatness.
Throughout the term, ask students to revisit their journal entries
and identify how their thoughts and ideas have changed.
Role-playing Important objectives of the Health and Life Skills Program of Studies
include helping students build communication skills, express feelings
and increase awareness of how others think and feel. Role-playing
provides students with opportunities to explore and practise new
communication skills in a safe, nonthreatening environment, express
feelings, and take on the role of another person by walking in
anothers shoes.
Role-playing is the spontaneous acting out of situations, without
costumes or scripts. The context for the role-play is presented and
roles are selected. Students have minimal planning time to discuss the
situation, choose different alternatives or reactions and plan a basic
scenario. At the conclusion, students have an opportunity to discuss
how they felt and what they learned about that particular situation.
The most important part of role-play is the follow-up discussion.
When using role-plays in the health and life skills classroom:

always have students role-play the positive aspects of a skill or
situation
if it is necessary to role-play a negative situation, the teacher
should take on the negative role
provide a specific situation
provide a limited time for students to develop and practise their
role-plays (5 to 10 minutes is usually sufficient)
limit the use of costumes and props
provide students with tips for participating and observing.
Tips for participating

Share the following tips with role-play participants.
Face the audience, and speak loudly and clearly.
Dont rely on props or costumes. Use body language to
communicate your message.
Focus on your role-play partners and the message you want to
communicate.
Encourage students to assess their participation by asking themselves

the following questions.
Am I identifying with the people involved?
Are all the important aspects of the situation portrayed?
Are the ideas from the planning session used in the role-play?
Are new skills or concepts used accurately?
Tips for observing

Share and discuss the following tips for being a supportive observer.
Demonstrate good listening by being quiet and attentive during
the role-play.
Show support by clapping and using positive words of
encouragement and feedback.
Laugh at the appropriate moments. Do not laugh at role-play
participants.
Ongoing assessment
During role-play, observe how students handle the situations
represented and consider the following questions.
Are concepts being expressed accurately in language and action?
Are any students confused or uncertain about the purpose of the
role-play, the situation or their roles?
Should space or materials be changed?
To extend the learning from role-plays, consider the following

questions.
What issues were clarified through the role-play?
What misconceptions might have been presented?
What questions did the role-play raise?
What new information is needed?
What links does this role-play have to future tasks that extend or
broaden the topic?
Role-playing can be an effective strategy for practising new skills and

exploring new ideas in the health and life skills classroom. It
addresses several of the multiple intelligences, and can be a
motivating and memorable learning activity.
Cognitive Cognitive organizers (also known as key visuals or graphic

organizers) are formats for organizing information and ideas
organizers graphically or visually. Just as cooperative learning groups make
student thinking audible, cognitive organizers make student thinking
visible.
Students can use cognitive organizers to generate ideas, record and

reorganize information, and see relationships. They demonstrate not
only what students are thinking but also how they are thinking as they
work through learning tasks. Examples of cognitive organizers
include Idea builders, T-charts, Venn diagrams, PMI charts,
decision-making models, KWL charts and mind maps.
To teach students how to use cognitive organizers:

use cognitive organizers to plan and introduce your lessons
show examples of new organizers, and describe their purpose and
form
use easy or familiar material to model how to use organizers
model organizers on the board, overhead or chart paper, using a
think-aloud format
give students opportunities to practise using the format with easy
material
coach them at various points in the process
share final products; discuss what worked and what didnt, and
give students an opportunity to revise information
provide students with many opportunities to practise using
cognitive organizers
use cognitive organizers with a range of topics and issues
encourage students to evaluate which organizers work best in
which learning situations.
Cognitive organizers work well in the health and life skills classroom
because they give students an opportunity to apply their learning and
give teachers information about what students are thinking.
Look for opportunities throughout the health and life skills curriculum
to create new graphic organizers that fit the needs of different learner
outcomes and activities.
Idea builders
Idea builders create a context for introducing and/or clarifying new
concepts or ideas. They help students make connections between
what they know and what they will be learning. They help students
gather information related to a concept by identifying essential and
nonessential characteristics, examples and nonexamples. They
encourage students to examine concepts from multiple perspectives, to
develop inductive and divergent thinking, and to focus their attention
on relevant details.
Idea builder
In health and life skills instruction, Idea builders can be used for basic
concepts, such as immunization, assertiveness or hazardous materials.
They are especially helpful for English as a Second Language (ESL)
students or students with special needs who require support in
understanding new concepts.
For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 2: Idea builder
on page 2 of Appendix C.
T-charts
T-charts help students organize their knowledge and ideas, and see
relationships between pieces of information. T-charts can have two,
three or more columns.
As students explore many feelings and behaviours within the health

curriculum, T-charts can be valuable tools for creating visual pictures
of what target behaviours (such as cooperation or resiliency) look,
sound and feel like. They can also be used to compare and contrast
different situations.
Triple T-chart
For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 3: T-chart on

page 3 of Appendix C.
Venn diagrams
Venn diagrams compare and contrast information about two or more
objects, concepts or ideas. They help students organize information
and see relationships. They can be used after such activities as
reading text, listening to a speaker or viewing a film.
There are many opportunities for comparing and contrasting

behaviours or practices in the health and life skills program. For
example, students could use Venn diagrams to compare and contrast
safe and unsafe, or healthy and unhealthy habits, like the example
below. Venn diagrams can also be expanded to three or more
interlocking circles in order to compare a number of issues or
concepts.
Venn diagram
For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 4: Venn diagram
on page 4 of Appendix C.
PMI charts
Students can use Plus, Minus and Interesting (PMI) charts to
compare and contrast situations, ideas or positions. PMI charts give
students a format for organizing information, and evaluating their
knowledge and ideas. Students can use this activity as a precursor to
for making informed decisions.
PMI Decision-making chart
For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 5: PMI

Decision-making chart on page 5 of Appendix C.
Decision-making models
Decision-making models are a step-by-step process that encourages
students to look for more than one solution, choose the best alternative
and develop an action plan for solving a problem or making a
decision. By breaking problem solving into a step-by-step process and
generating alternate solutions, students can become better and more
creative problem solvers.
What I have, What I need is an example of a decision-making model.18
For a template of this model, see Student activity master 6: What I

have, What I need on page 6 of Appendix C.
There are many opportunities in the health curriculum to use problem-

solving and decision-making skills. For other decision-making models
to use across grade levels, see Student activity master 22: Use your
decision-making steps on page 23 of Appendix C and Student activity
master 24: Decision-making tree on page 25 of Appendix C.
KWL charts17
KWL charts help students understand what they know (K), what
they want to know (W) and what they learned (L) about a certain topic
or issue. They are an effective visual tool to tap into students prior
knowledge and generate questions that create a purpose for learning.
KWL charts can be used to introduce new topics or concepts, or
when reading, viewing videos, preparing for guest speakers or going
on field trips. They can also be a guide for research projects.
KWL chart
K W L
(List what you (List questions (Using your
already know about about what you questions as a
the topic.) want to know guide, write all the
about the topic.) information you
learned.)
For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 7: KWL

chart on page 7 of Appendix C.
Mind maps
Mind mapping was developed in the early 1970s by British author and
brain researcher Tony Buzan. It is an easy way to represent ideas
using keywords, colours and imagery. Its nonlinear format helps
students generate and organize ideas. Students can record a large
amount of information on one piece of paper. Mind mapping allows
students to show connections between ideas. Mind mapping
integrates logical and imaginative thinking, and provides an overview
of what students know and think about a particular topic.
Webs are simple mind maps. Adding pictures, colours and key words
transforms them into a more powerful learning, memory and idea-
generating tools. The following example is a mind map illustrating
one students personal learning style.18
Literature Using literature in the health and life skills classroom allows students
to increase their knowledge and understanding of the world and
response themselves. Literature allows students to vicariously experience new
situations and identify with the experiences of characters.
Literature can also foster cross-curricular collaboration. Find out

what novels students are reading in language arts and look for
authentic ways to link health outcomes with themes in those novels.
Literature responses, including journals, allow students to examine

ways they connect with the story and the characters, explore their
ideas and beliefs, develop problem-solving skills, and incorporate
hopeful strategies to draw upon in the future.
Responding to literature may take place at any stage of reading.
Students can make predictions prior to reading a story. They can stop
at various points in the story to make a comment, respond to what is
happening or make further predictions. Finally, they can respond to
what they read through a variety of post-reading activities.
While keeping a journal is a common way to have students respond to
what they read, there are many other ways. These include:
writing a letter to a character
drawing (for example, various options a character might have, a
personal experience evoked by the story)
developing a role-play based on a story
writing a different ending or a sequel to the story.
Service Service learning is a goal-setting and action process that positively

affects others. All students can participate in service learning.
learning Service learning provides benefits for everyone involved.19
For students, benefits include:
strengthening academic knowledge and skills by applying them to
real problems
building positive relationships with a variety of people
getting to know people from different backgrounds
discovering new interests and abilities
setting goals and working through steps to achieve them
working cooperatively
taking on leadership roles
learning the value of helping and caring for others.
For teachers, benefits include:

having meaningful, close involvement with students
reaching students who have difficulty with standard curriculum
establishing home/school/community partnerships
helping the school become more visible in the community
promoting school spirit and pride
building collegiality with other school staff.
For the school and community, benefits include:
increased connectedness between students, their schools and their
communities
improved school climate as students work together in positive
ways
more positive view of young people by the community, leading to
stronger support for youth and schools
greater awareness of community needs and concerns
increased community mobilization to address key issues.
Sample service learning projects20

Goal: To make school a positive place for everyone.
Possible projects
Create posters with positive messages on friendship, cooperation,
crosscultural understanding, school spirit and other topics.
Start school-wide campaigns to eliminate put-downs. Make
posters, organize noon-hour events and involve school staff.
Begin campaigns using posters, buttons and bulletin boards to
encourage students to strive toward higher academic achievement.
Develop special awards for improvement. Organize mini-
workshops and tutoring programs.
Plan appreciation days for school staff.
Plan appreciation days for school volunteers.
Goal: To beautify the school.

Possible projects
Organize school clean-up campaigns.
Plant flowers and trees around schools.
Organize halls of fame with photos of outstanding graduates.
Sponsor campaigns to keep schools litter-free.
Paint murals on hallways or walls.
Goal: To make a positive contribution to seniors in the community.

Possible projects
Write letters to house-bound seniors who would enjoy receiving
mail.
Adopt grandparents in the community.
Plan holiday dinners for senior citizens at nursing homes.
Invite senior citizens for special days of sharing and discussion.
Create handmade gifts for special occasions.
Send handmade birthday cards to people celebrating 80+
birthdays.
Goal: To contribute to young families in the community.
Possible projects
Plan special parties for children in day care.
Present puppet shows in an elementary school.
Teach simple craft projects to children in after-school programs.
Read stories to children in elementary school.
Organize on-site babysitting services for special parent and
community meetings held at the school.
Goal: To improve living conditions for people struggling in the
community.
Possible projects
Cook and serve meals at community centres.
Collect food, clothing and toys for distribution at local shelters.
Learn about the local homelessness situation and write letters of
concern to community officials suggesting strategies for
improving the living situations of people who are homeless.
Turning service projects into service learning
Service learning moves beyond service projects. Sometimes, in
completing service projects, students remain detached from the
experience and fail to believe that their efforts are worthwhile.
Service learning offers students opportunities to better understand the
purpose and value of their efforts. Students who complete all the
following five steps of service learning become aware that their
actions make a difference.
Five steps of service learning

Step 1: Prepare
With guidance, students determine needs to address in the school and
community. Students list questions they have about the issues and
research the answers. Students need to clearly understand why their
project is significant and how it will benefit their community.
Students need to define desired outcomes and goals, choose projects
that respond to authentic needs in the school or community, and
consider how they can collaborate with parents and community
partners to address these needs.
(See Student activity master 8: Choosing a service project on page 8

of Appendix C.)
Step 2: Plan
Students develop a step-by-step plan and timeline. Each student needs
to be responsible for part of the project. Encourage students to
consider ways to communicate effectively with the school community,
parents and the community at large. Providing information about the
project encourages others to participate. Consider possible challenges
and roadblocks and how they might be overcome. Teachers need to
ensure that the learning provides meaningful service and real
consequences.
(See Student activity master 9: Making it happen on page 9 of

Appendix C.)
Step 3: Put the plan into action

Ensure students assume as much responsibility as possible. Service
learning needs to occur in an environment that is safe, and allows for
mistakes and successes. Involve parents and screened community
volunteers. Monitor performance and safety on a regular basis.
Step 4: Review and reflect
Acknowledge and celebrate the participation of everyone involved.
Guide the process of systematic reflection, using various methods,
such as role-plays, discussion and journal writing. Have students
describe what happened, record the contribution made, discuss
thoughts and feelings, and place the experience in the larger context of
the community and society.
(See Student activity master 10: Reviewing the service learning

project on page 10 of Appendix C.)
Step 5: Demonstrate
To reinforce learning, students must demonstrate mastery of skills,
insights and outcomes by reporting to their peers, families and
communities. Students could write articles or letters to local
newspapers regarding local issues, or extend their experience to
develop future projects in the community.
Successful service learning projects:

create awareness of issues for students and for community
members
create awareness that youth are a resource in the community
involve community membersguest speakers from a variety of
sources are often willing to support service learning projects
use existing resourcesfind ways to use what is in the classroom
rather than raise or spend money on the project. For example,
student art can decorate the walls of a drop-in centre or be
laminated for place mats in a kindergarten snack program.
It is essential that at the end of service learning projects, students

have opportunities to privately and publicly reflect on what they
contributed and learned through the project.
Issue-based The world offers many complex social and health issues. It is
essential that students have opportunities to develop their abilities to
inquiry think clearly and make decisions about them. One way to create these
opportunities is through issue-based inquiry with real-life issues.
In the teacher resource Controversy as a Teaching Tool, MacInnis,

MacDonald and Scott outline a six-step social action model to help
students examine issues and conduct an issue-based inquiry.21 The
steps are:
identify the issue
investigate the issue
make a decision
defend a position
take action
evaluate results.
This step-by-step approach creates opportunities for students to

examine issues systematically in a hands-on way. This model, or
selected activities within the model, can be used in a variety of ways
and with a variety of topics within the health and life skills classroom.
Identifying issues
Real issues are meaningful and valid to students because they face
them on a daily basis. The more controversial the issue, the greater
the risk of bias. However, this is the very type of issue that needs to
be examined.
Work with students to generate a list of real issues that align with the
health and life skills curriculum, are relevant to the community, and
are of interest to students.
An effective issue-based inquiry:

focuses on an important theme or issue
begins with an experience that all students have in commonin
this way, new knowledge can be built on past experience
allows for students to be involved in decision making.
When choosing an issue, be sensitive to the social and political
realities of the community. Consider how examining a particular
issue could potentially affect the life of a student, a family and/or the
community. For example, debating certain environmental issues in
certain communities could serve to escalate bitterness between family
members and/or community members.
Regardless of the issue selected, ensure there are sufficient resources

available to address the issue in a comprehensive and bias-balanced
manner.
Sample health-related issues for inquiry-based

learning activities
These issues can be adapted for case studies, debates, role-plays,
discussions, position papers or special projects.
Kindergarten
What kind of snacks should be allowed at recess?
Should children have to share toys they bring to school?
How can Kindergarten children help older children?
Grade 1
Is a 15-minute recess long enough for children to be physically
active during the school day?
Should all bike riders have to wear helmets?
What kind of volunteer jobs should students do in the classroom?
Grade 2
Should all junk food be banned as recess snacks?
Should all children riding their bikes to school be required to wear
a bicycle helmet?
What kind of volunteer jobs should students do in the school?
Grade 3
Do all students need water bottles at their desks?
Should students be allowed to choose their own learning groups?
Should parents limit the television viewing and computer time of
their children?
Grade 4
Should smoking be banned in all public places?
Are Grade 4 students ready to use the Internet on their own?
Do you have a responsibility to be a role model to younger
children?
Grade 5
How could we ensure children brush their teeth at school after
lunch?
If there is a child with peanut allergies in the school, should all
peanut products be banned?
Should students try to mediate conflicts between other students?
Should caffeine be banned as an additive to snacks and drinks for
children?
Grade 6
Should schools have dress codes?
Should children be paid for doing chores at home?
Should all tattoo and body piercing establishments be supervised
by health-care professionals?
Who is responsible for peoples safety? Should it be an
individuals sole responsibility or does the community need to
enforce rules and laws to keep people safe?
Grade 7
Should junior high students have part-time jobs?
Should students be expected to do things they are uncomfortable
doing, such as public speaking, as part of course requirements?
Should there be tighter controls on advertisements aimed at junior
high students?
Should there be tighter controls on the portrayal of violence in the
media? How could this be done? Who would do it?
Grade 8
Should it be illegal to drink alcohol during pregnancy?
Should school start time be changed to later in the morning to
adjust to the typical teenagers sleep patterns?
Are employers responsible for the safety of their employees or is
it an individual responsibility?
Should fast food restaurants be required to post nutritional
information for all food sold in their restaurants?
Grade 9
Should pop and junk food be sold in schools?
How can Internet health information be monitored and controlled
for accuracy and reliability?
Should alternative health practices and treatments be monitored
by the government? Should the cost of alternative health
treatment be covered by public health plans?
Should all students be required to take physical education classes
in each year of high school?
Is it always necessary to manage your feelings? How do you
balance the need to express yourself with the need to maintain
self-control?
Controversy and bias
Bring any group of people together and sooner or later a disagreement
will break out on some issue. Issues become controversial when
differing positions are taken. The degree of controversy depends upon
the intensity of the emotions aroused.
The examination of controversial issues is an important part of the

democratic process and has an important place in the classroom.
Dealing with controversial issues is essential in order to view and
weigh multiple perspectives effectively, and enhance conflict
resolution skills.
(See Student activity master 11: What is controversy on page 11 of

Appendix C.)
Whether bias is a result of attitudes, emotions, values or stakeholder
interests, everyone is influenced by bias to some extent. An issue
becomes controversial when people take opposing and strongly held
positions on a desired outcome. With this in mind, it is necessary that
students develop effective strategies for identifying and classifying
their own biases, and those of others.
(See Student activity master 12: What Me biased? on page 12 of

Appendix C.)
Introducing the issue

An engaging and motivating introduction is key to the success of an
issue-based inquiry. One strategy is to show a taped newscast of the
issue with students assuming the role of reporters interpreting the
issue. Related newspaper clippings could be displayed and discussed.
Or, the topic could be introduced by a guest speaker or a small group
of students.
Having someone else introduce the issue allows teachers to remain in
a neutral, unbiased position and facilitate the process. Students
should assume the primary role of responsible citizens involved in a
controversial issue in which action is ultimately required. Teachers
need to be aware of school and district guidelines for speakers and
controversial issues.
Investigating the issue
Students need opportunities to research and discover information
about the issue. Distribute printed materials, bring in guest speakers
and if possible, arrange for a relevant field trip. Help students develop
frameworks for gathering and analyzing new information.
(See Student activity master 13: Research record on page 13 of

Appendix C.)
(See Student activity master 14: Talking the talkGuest speaker
report on pages 1415 of Appendix C.)
Making a decision
Students can use the Making a decision chart to compile information
throughout the inquiry.
(See Student activity master 15: Making a decision on page 16 of

Appendix C.)
Defending a position
Students can present their decisions in position papers. This may be
done individually, in pairs or in small groups. Alternatively, students
could communicate their positions through oral presentations or
design posters.
(See Student activity master 16: Position paperHeres what I think on

Taking action
The action component of a unit may be the most rewarding for both
students and teachers. In this phase, students use all they have learned
about an issue to develop action plans. To minimize risks and make
this as positive an experience as possible for all participants, consider
the following suggestions.
Encourage students to discuss projects with their parents.
Ensure that the issue itself remains secondary to the process that
students are learning.
Set reasonable expectations. Students may become disappointed
or disillusioned if their actions do not achieve desired results.
Encourage specific actions within a specified time frame and
focus on actions that have a likelihood of positive outcomes.
Encourage students to engage in cooperative, positively structured
actions, such as debates.
Resist pressure to become personally involved in the issue.
Keep your school administration informed from the beginning to
ensure the necessary support for student actions.
Help students become aware of the fact that choosing to do
nothing is also an action.
Set clear parameters in relation to actions.
Encourage students to share their positions and solutions. Classify the
actions into categories and discuss the characteristics of each.
Action categories include the following.

Research/information gatheringincludes actions intended to
increase knowledge of the event itself.
Public awareness/mediaincludes actions designed to receive
media attention, and influence the audience and decision makers;
for example, letters to the editor, press conferences, public
awareness campaigns.
Directincludes actions of a nonpolitical direct nature, such as
picketing, boycotting, meeting with involved parties.
Legalincludes litigation and participation in public hearings.
Organizationalincludes fund-raising or formation of a special
interest group.
Politicalincludes actions that are designed to influence or gain
the assistance of elected officials; for example, petitions and
letters.
Civil disobedience/illegalexclude these actions but discuss the
implications of these choices.
As a group, decide which actions fall within the scope and time
limitations of the unit. Encourage students to develop a plan of
action.
(See Student activity master 17: Planning to take action on page 18

of Appendix C.)
(See Student activity master 18: Lets do itDefining your actions on

Evaluating results
It is essential that students have the opportunity to review the steps in
the process so they are able to apply them again when examining other
issues. Reflecting on the experience lets students identify new
understandings and assess their own learning.
(See Student activity master 19: Did I make a difference? Evaluating

your actions on page 20 in Appendix C.)
Endnotes 3. Bennett, Rolheiser-Bennett and Stevahn, 1991.
4. Adapted with permission from Four Worlds Development Project,

The Sacred Tree Curriculum Guide (Lethbridge, AB: Four World
Development Project, 1988), pp. 2122.
5. Adapted from Change for Children: Ideas and Activities for
Individualizing Learning (pp. 169, 170) by Sandra Nina Kaplan,
Jo Ann Butom Kaplan, Sheila Kunishima Madsen & Bette Taylor
Gould 1980 by Scott Foresman. Published by Good Year
Books. Used by permission of Pearson Education, Inc.
6. Adapted from Carol Ann Tomlinson, Independent Study: A
Flexible Tool for Encouraging Academic and Personal Growth,
Middle School Journal 25, 1 (1993), pp. 78, 79, 80, 81, 82.
Reproduced and adapted from the original article appearing in the
September 1993 Middle School Journal. Permission granted by
National Middle School Association.
7. Adapted, by permission, from Manitoba Education and Training,
Success for All Learners: A Handbook on Differentiating
Instruction (Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Education and Training,
1996), p. 11.15.
8. Ibid., pp. 11.1111.12.
9. From Kay Burke, Robin Fogarty and Susan Belgrad, The Mindful
School: The Portfolio Connection (Arlington Heights, IL:
IRI/Skylight Training and Publishing, Inc., 1994), p. 73. Used
with permission from Skylight Professional Development.
10. Adapted from Kay Burke, The Mindful School: How to Assess
Authentic Learning, 3rd ed. (Arlington Heights, IL: Skylight
Professional Development, 1999), p. 117. Adapted with
permission from Skylight Professional Development.
11. Ibid., p. 116.
12. Ibid., p. 115.
13. Ibid., p. 116.
14. Ibid., pp. 117118.
15. Adapted with permission from Edmonton Public Schools,
Combined Grades Manual 4/5 (Edmonton, AB: Resource
Development Services, Edmonton Public Schools, 1999), p. 32.
16. Adapted from Kay Burke, The Mindful School: How to Assess
Authentic Learning, 3rd ed. (Arlington Heights, IL: Skylight
Professional Development, 1999), pp. 118119. Adapted with
permission from Skylight Professional Development.
17. Ogle, 1986.
18. Used with permission from Edmonton Public Schools, Thinking
Tools for Kids: Practical Organizers (Edmonton, AB: Resource
Development Services, Edmonton Public Schools, 1999), p. 80.
19. Used with permission from Lions-Quest Skills for Adolescence
Curriculum Manual (Newark, OH: Lions-Quest/Lions Clubs
International, 1992), pp. 34. Skills for Adolescence is a program
sponsored by Lions Clubs International.
20. Adapted with permission from Changes and Challenges:
Becoming the Best You Can Be (Newark, OH: Lions-Quest/Lions
Clubs International, 1992), pp. 6263. Skills for Adolescence is a
program sponsored by Lions Clubs International.
21. Adapted with permission from Eric MacInnis, Ross MacDonald
and Lynn Scott, Controversy as a Teaching Tool (Rocky
Mountain House, AB: Parks Canada, 1997), pp. 13, 14, 16, 18,
19, 22, 48, 67, 68, 69, 73.
Selected Alberta Learning. Teaching Students Who Are Gifted and Talented.
Edmonton, AB: Alberta Learning, 2000.
bibliography
Apacki, Carol. Energize! Energizers and Other Great Cooperative
Activities for All Ages. Newark, OH: Quest Books, 1991.
Bennett, Barrie and Carol Rolheiser-Bennett. Beyond Monet: The

Artful Science of Instructional Integration. Toronto, ON:
Bookation Inc., 2001.
Bennett, Barrie, Carol Rolheiser-Bennett and Laurie Stevahn.

Cooperative Learning: Where Heart Meets Mind. Toronto, ON:
Educational Connections, 1991.
Burke, Kay. The Mindful School: How to Assess Authentic Learning.

3rd ed. Arlington Heights, IL: Skylight Professional
Development, 1999.
Burke, Kay, Robin Fogarty and Susan Belgrad. The Mindful School:
The Portfolio Connection. Arlington Heights, Il: IRI/Skylight
Training and Publishing, Inc., 1994.
Changes and Challenges: Becoming the Best You Can Be. Newark,
OH: Lions-Quest/Lions Clubs International, 1992.
Edmonton Public Schools. Combined Grade Manuals. Edmonton,

AB: Resource Development Services, Edmonton Public Schools,
1999.
Edmonton Public Schools. Thinking Tools for Kids: Practical
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Four Worlds Development Project. The Sacred Tree Curriculum

Guide. Lethbridge, AB: Four Worlds Development Project,
1988.
Kagan, Spencer. Cooperative Learning. San Juan Capistrano, CA:

Kagan Cooperative Learning, 1992.
Kaplan, Sandra Nina et al. Change for Children: Ideas and Activities
for Individualizing Learning. Revised ed. Glenview, IL: Scott,
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OH: Lions-Quest/Lions Clubs International, 1992.
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Teaching Tool. Rocky Mountain House, AB: Parks Canada,
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What Are Instructional Strategies?

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Instructional Strategies

To become successful strategic learners students need:

Effective instructional and learning strategies can be used across

Instructional strategies that are especially effective in the health

Tips for getting started

Forming learning groups

Consider the following strategies for forming groups.

For additional ideas on forming learning groups, see Energize!

Students need many opportunities to work in small groups to improve

Cooperative learning is an effective strategy for the health education

Group achievement marks

Rather than awarding group achievement marks, Kagan suggests

All comments, negative or positive, should be addressed directly

Only one person speaks at a time. Everyone else listens in a

Silence is an acceptable response. No one should be pressured at

At the same time, everyone must feel invited to participate. There

Students should avoid comments that put down others or

Independent Independent study is an individualized learning experience that allows

(See Student activity master 1: Independent study and research on

Topics for independent study

Progression toward independent learning over time

Basic skills of Structured Shared Self-guided

Making choices Selecting from Student poses and Student plans,

High teacher structure Low teacher structure

Many students are between categories of development at any given

Portfolios develop students organizational skills and increase their

Process versus product

The portfolio process has four steps.

A basic portfolio contains:8

I chose this piece of work because

It really shows that Im improving

I did this ! by myself

Signed _________________ Dated

Other content possibilities include:8

It may be useful to maintain two portfolio files or binders: one binder

For more ideas on portfolio development, see Assess, Evaluate and

Work from another

In the health and life skills classroom, use journals to:10

Process new information

Name Topic Date

Promote reflection and higher-level thinking

At the beginning of the lesson

A related journal format encourages students to reflect on their

undeveloped partial adequate interesting powerful

Response Response Response

When using role-plays in the health and life skills classroom:

Tips for participating

Encourage students to assess their participation by asking themselves

Tips for observing

To extend the learning from role-plays, consider the following

Role-playing can be an effective strategy for practising new skills and

Cognitive Cognitive organizers (also known as key visuals or graphic

Students can use cognitive organizers to generate ideas, record and

To teach students how to use cognitive organizers:

As students explore many feelings and behaviours within the health

For a template of this tool, see Student activity master 3: T-chart on

There are many opportunities for comparing and contrasting

PMI Decision-making chart