Using Anchor Activities

One premise in a One premise in a differentiated classroom:differentiated classroom:

“ “ In this class In this class we are we are never never finishedfinished------Learning is aprocess thatnever ends.”

The goal is tohave students moving independently fromone assignment to another without needingteacher direction.

RAPID ROBINRAPID ROBIN

The “Dreaded Early Finisher”

““I’m Not Finished” I’m Not Finished” FreddieFreddie

“It takes himan hour-and-a-halfto watch 60 Minutes.”

Anchor ActivitiesAnchor activities

are ongoing assignments that students can work on independently throughout a unit of study or longer.

The Purpose of an Anchor The Purpose of an Anchor Activity is to:Activity is to:

Provide meaningful work for students when they finish an assignment or project, when they first enter the class or when they are “stumped”.

Provide ongoing tasks that tie to the content and instruction.

Free up the classroom teacher to work with other groups of students or individuals.

When are anchor activities used?

•To begin the day •When students complete an assignment•When students are stuck and waiting for help•To extend a lesson or assignment

Using Anchor Activities Using Anchor Activities to Create Groupsto Create Groups

Teach the whole class to work independently andquietly on the anchor activity.

Half the class workson anchor activity.

Other half works ona different activity.

Flip-Flop

1/3 works onanchor activity.

1/3 works on adifferent activity.

1/3 works withteacher---direct

instruction.

1

2

3

ANCHOR ACTIVITIESANCHOR ACTIVITIES

Work bestWork best::when when expectations expectations

are clear and the are clear and the tasks are taught tasks are taught and practicedand practiced prior prior to use.to use.

when when students are students are held accountable held accountable for on task for on task behavior and/or behavior and/or task completion.task completion.

Procedures for:“What to do ifyou’re done.”

•Peer reviews your work•Complete any “unfinished” work•Continue working onan “Anchor Activity”

Procedures for:“What to do ifyou need help.”

•Ask three before me!•Find a Peer Helper•Put name on Help List•Keep working on apart that you CAN DO.

“Must Have” Procedures

Planning for Anchor Activities

Subject/Content Area:

Name and description of anchor activity:

How will activity be introduced to students?

- Points - Percentage of Final Grade- Rubric - Portfolio Check- Checklist - Teacher/Student Conference- Random Check - Peer Review- On Task Behaviors - Other _______________

How will the activity be managed and monitored?

How can I assess individual anchor activity work?

•Ongoing anecdotal records and checklists•Student conferences for evaluation and goal setting•Learning journals•Student portfolios•Rubrics•Random checks•Peer review

ANCHOR ACTIVITIESANCHOR ACTIVITIESCan be:used in any subject

whole class assignments

small group or individual assignments

tiered to meet the needs of different readiness levels

Interdisciplinary for use across content areas or teams

Some Anchor ActivitiesSome Anchor Activities

“Brain Busters” Learning Packets Activity Box Learning/Interest Centers Academic Vocabulary Work Investigations Magazine Articles with Generic Questions or Activities Listening Stations Research Questions or Projects Commercial Kits and Materials Journals or Learning Logs Silent Reading (Content Related)

Anchor Activities Anchor Activities

• As a grade level list all the different As a grade level list all the different Anchor Activities that you use in your Anchor Activities that you use in your classroom.classroom.

FeedbackFeedback

• Plus / Delta Feedback on Anchor Plus / Delta Feedback on Anchor Activities Activities

• Information will be used to drive Information will be used to drive discussions in PLCs.discussions in PLCs.