Learning Strategies
Inspired by brain science and social learning theory, most core lessons follow the same learning arc:
Get Started ➔ Essential Questions ➔ Teen Voices Video ➔ Think-Pair-Share ➔ Knowledge Hub ➔ Activity ➔ Wrap Up ➔ Reflection/Application ➔ Exit Ticket.
This learning sequence purposefully taps into curiosity, community building, and skill development. This is not a sit-and-get. Within this 25-minutes, students will connect with their classmates, learn evidence-based skill-building strategies, and then practice and apply these skills to real life.
Get Started: Quick reflection for before/after the bell rings to spark curiosity and cue learning. | Activity: Interactive and/or reflective opportunities for students to practice SEL skills and lesson content. | ||
Essential Questions: Questions to introduce the lesson but answer at the end of class. | Wrap Up: Summarizes key points and revisits essential questions. | ||
Teen Voices Video: Current high school students speak from experience on lesson-related content. | Reflection/Application: In class and/or take home self-assessment or activity to apply lesson content to real life. | ||
Think-Pair-Share: Students write a response (think), partner with a classmate (pair), and then discuss with class (share). | Exit Ticket: Students say the exit ticket to the teacher at the door as they leave w/ a high-5 or fist/elbow bump. | ||
Knowledge Hub Video: Expert educators and S-C alumni (Coach Rudy’s former students) share effective research-based strategies. | SEL Skill-Builder: Reminders within lessons to practice essentials during activities. |
These lessons really will take the full 25 minutes. Plan to have the “Get Started” activity on the screen when students walk in and keep the lesson progressing at a steady pace. Tighter time frames encourage student engagement and focus.