I use two sites that promote critical thinking: BrainPop and Wonderopolis. Every morning we begin our day with Morning Meeting. I have really come to enjoy Morning Meeting, it gives me a chance to bond with my students.
This year, I've added two elements, Brainpop and Wonderopolis. Their widgets are embedded on our class web page.
After the greeting and sharing of the message, we begin with the BrainPop Joke of the Day. When we first started, my students would call out literal answers, they weren't really thinking. Now, they take their time and think about possible related answers.
In the beginning they couldn't figure out the joke, even when I showed them the answer. But now when they're stuck, and I show the answer, I hear a collective "Ohhhhhh", and then a student volunteers to explain the joke to those that didn't "get it." After that, I always hear, "Can we see another joke?"
Alas, we have a limited amount of time, so we have to move on. After sharing, and a quick activity, we view the Wonder of the Day. They look forward to the videos, and it always leads to animated conversation. The videos make them think. They do what they're supposed to, make them wonder.
Our goal is to get our students to think. I appreciate the fact that Brainpop and Wonderopolis make it quick, easy, and fun!
Thanks! Wonderopolis looks great for my 6th graders. I might see if I can get a projector in my room for the end of the day wrap up a couple days a week.
ReplyDeleteHey Karen, it really is a wonderful resource!
DeleteI love the Monday Morning Meeting idea! Since I have several different class period, this might be a little tricky, but great none the less! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLuci
Another Day in the Silver Mines
Hi Lucinda, not my idea.:) Something that goes along with Responsive Classroom and has really helped my classes bond.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your ideas! I use Wonderopolis for Morning Meeting, as well...but, I DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD A WIDGET! YEA! Quick as a whip I copy/paste the html code for Wonderopolis and Joke of the Day. Now my class blog looks ALMOST as good as yours! ;) Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, you know.
ReplyDeleteI've been using Wonderoplis during Morning Meeting for 6 weeks and there is a tremendous difference in the kind of THINKING that my Ss are capable of! First week lots of "deer in the headlights" looks. Now they wonder with the best of them!
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your morning meeting routines. I like to start ours with any reminders or announcements for our day and we are starting to watch CNN student news to get our students to think about the world around them. Next, we vary it up with different activities such as our Wonder Chat. I usually pre-select a topic and have them discuss everything they know about that topic or wonder about it with a partner or in small groups. I usually keep the topics general like Time and then conclude the chat by showing either a Brain Pop Video or Wonderopolis article/video on a more specific focus on that topic (i.e. Time Zones). After viewing we make connections to what learned to our own lives and I encourage students to look up responses to their wonders throughout the day as time permits. In short, we have enjoyed wondering together!
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your morning meeting routines. I like to start ours with any reminders or announcements for our day and we are starting to watch CNN student news to get our students to think about the world around them. Next, we vary it up with different activities such as our Wonder Chat. I usually pre-select a topic and have them discuss everything they know about that topic or wonder about it with a partner or in small groups. I usually keep the topics general like Time and then conclude the chat by showing either a Brain Pop Video or Wonderopolis article/video on a more specific focus on that topic (i.e. Time Zones). After viewing we make connections to what learned to our own lives and I encourage students to look up responses to their wonders throughout the day as time permits. In short, we have enjoyed wondering together!
Great ideas, as usual. The morning meeting can be used for many things- thematic units, critical thinking, world events, personal problems, issues in class, etc. It sets a tone, which is so important.
ReplyDelete