Multiple Uses:

* Check students moods – have them draw a face on their paddle

and hold it up.

* Check for learning for a specific question: ask the class to:

“Write down what you believe to be the subject of the essay we just

read.” Students can write their answers on the paddle and hold it

up. You can check progress quickly without embarrassing students.

If 90% of students have the right answer, move on (and

come back and review for the missing 10%). If not, do a

quick review and explanation of how to find the subject of

an essay. You should then be able to move on with no one left

behind.

* To give short Quickie Quizzes: Students save paper, you don’t

have to grade papers, and you can immediately check for learning.

These quizzes can relate to an essay’s subject (as noted above),

The thesis, the mode of discourse, or parts of speech, functions of

speech, a particular grammar point, vocabulary definitions, etc.

* To create teamwork, bonding, and camaraderie –

interdependent learning: You can put students in teams – each

team could have a specific colored paddle (red, green, yellow,

blue), and students could work together to come up with answers,

sentences, thesis statements, ideas for essays, etc. The team that

finishes first could raise all their paddles! How about Vocabulary

Races? Go!

* To review for quizzes: You can ask questions that relate to subject and standard that you are reviewing for. You can discuss problems and feel ready for the real quiz when it comes along.

* To allow you to communicate with your students: For example, you could

say, “Let’s all write one of this week’s spelling words on our paddles.

For instance word we need to write is “X”. Keep your paddle down

until I tell you to raise it.” Both Students and teacher writes. Then say, “Okay! Hold your paddle up!” Easy to see who has it and who still needs help.

* To create a Critical Question for writing: After reading an

essay, students can use their paddles to write a

question inspired by the reading. Then the class can discuss the

questions and decide which questions they would like to choose to

write a brief journal entry on. Often these responses to questions

become the basis for or at least a part of the student’s next essay.

To create bubble diagrams for outlining an essay: The KleenSlate Dry erase paddles are large enough for students to create a graphic organizer

bubble of the subject, thesis, and topic points for an essay. These

could be shared with partners or in groups and then shared and

discussed with the class. Students can share their plans of action,

and others and you can comment on what they are doing well and on

could/should work and what might need tweaking.

Advantages:

* More time to teach and less time needed to collect and grade papers

* Instant feedback for teacher and for the students

* Quick way to know when and whom you need to re-teach

* Helps shy students ask questions

* Less chance of someone being left behind

* An opportunity for instant review if needed

* Makes learning more fun – fast, colorful, creative

* Keeps students engaged by knowing they will be sharing their

observations and thoughts immediately

* Targets visual, tactile, and auditory learners.

* Great for practicing spelling words, vocabulary words, short

definitions, short answers, brainstorming ideas, and reviewing

material already covered.

* Practical and low tech

* Promotes the philosophy of engaging students, helping

students take responsibility for their own learning, and creating an

interactive and interdependent learning environment

* Won the 2008 Teachers’ Choice Award