Learning Technique: Learning Pyramids
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Lesduur is: 15 minIntroductie
A word pyramid is an effective way to get students actively involved with language. It challenges them to create and expand words, which appeals to their vocabulary, spelling and creativity. Puzzling out words makes students actively involved, without feeling like they are learning. Do you like variation? You can also fill the pyramid with numbers, symbols or images.
Instructies
What is it?
‘Learning pyramid’ is a learning technique that helps to promote vocabulary. The students expand a given letter or two-letter word per row with 1 letter. The letters can be in a different place in each turn. But it is certain that a word must be made from all the letters from the previous row + a new letter.
If you fill the pyramid with numbers it is important that you put the desired calculation next to each row. This way the students continue calculating with the result of the row above.
How do you make it?
This activity uses a drag and drop question, text boxes and/or images.
Step 1: Add a drag and drop question to your lesson.
Step 2: Create the pyramid on your slide. You can do this in two ways:
- Create the pyramid using drag targets. Give the drag targets the desired color and place a letter in it or not. Make sure that you place the letter centered in the drag target. Copy your first drag target as many times as necessary until you have built the pyramid of the desired size.
- Use an image of a (word) pyramid and place it as an image on your slide. Place drag targets over the boxes of the pyramid where the students have to drag letters, numbers or images to. If necessary, copy slide 4 of this lesson and use the image of the pyramid.
Step 3: Then create drag components from text boxes. Make these the same size as your drag targets and place the letters in them that the students can drag. Make enough drag components of each letter so that they can fill the entire pyramid. Now link each drag component to the correct drag target.
Do you still need help with the construction of a drag question? Then go to this link. Here you will find all the tips and tricks around creating a drag question.
Step 4: Always check your drag question by clicking on ‘Give lesson’ and see if you have linked all drag goals and components correctly.
How do you use it?
The (word) pyramid can be used at various moments in your lesson.
In advance: Start your lesson with it and let the students find the theme of your lesson with a pyramid. Or check whether they can find the concepts from the previous lesson.
Application: After your instruction, check whether your students have mastered the correct calculations. The answer of each row is the starting point for the next calculation.
Evaluation: Use the pyramid as a motivator for your lesson. For every correct answer or good comment during your lesson, a box in the pyramid can be filled in. Is the entire pyramid filled at the end of the lesson? Then the students have participated well and you can offer a nice reward in return.
Because the pyramid can be easily adapted to the level and content, it can be used for almost any subject and any level. It does require some creativity to make.
Onderdelen in deze les
Slide 1 - Tekstslide
Deze slide heeft geen instructies
Complete the word pyramid
Drag the letters to the correct place
n
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a
s
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Slide 2 - Sleepvraag
or teacher
Check 'Devices in the classroom' and 'Show to student'.
Given the size of the drag areas, it is advisable to have the puzzle done on a laptop.
If you want to add a coloured square to indicate matching letters you can if you think your learners need it.
There is a hint about the last word that is being searched for under the hotspot. Decide for yourself to what extent your students need this.
Tip:
Is this puzzle too difficult for your students? Then choose to give a (cryptic) clue about the word that is being searched for in each row. For this puzzle:
1. There aren't many one letter words!
2. If you have the first one then you will get this!
3. Some people will get this lying in the sun!
4. You can sit or _________ on the bus
5. A verb or noun, to be left abandoned or a thread, or somewhere you can stroll!
To modify this pyramid simly unlink all the dragh and drop elements. Edit and move the one letter text boxes on the pyramid. When creating drag away from the main cluster the letter you need and use the drop down menu to attach them to the drag target.
Drag the animals to their place in the food pyramid!
Dinner time!
Slide 3 - Sleepvraag
For teacher
Check 'Devices in the classroom' and 'Show to student'.
Given the size of the drag areas, it is advisable to have the puzzle done on a laptop.
Tips:
- Make different pyramids with mammals, insects, amphibians and/or fish.
- Does your class find this difficult? Then you could copy the pictures from this slide and place them behind the pyramid. By setting the transparency of the images as high as possible, the students will have a handle on how to fill in the pyramid.
- Use the pyramid as a scoreboard. Answered a question correctly? Then an animal can be placed in the right place. Is the pyramid full at the end of the lesson? Then give a nice reward!
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8
Solve the calculation pyramid and reveal the PIN code
2
x2
+ 9957
x11
x4
====
5
Pincode
Drag the correct numbers to the PIN code
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1
1
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7
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0
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9
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1
Slide 4 - Sleepvraag
For teacher
Check 'Devices in the classroom' and 'Show to student'.
Same color = Same grade
Tip:
Advise students to keep a piece of paper handy.
Work through the rows as a class.
Put a traffic light on the slide and set it to red. The student who is the first to find the pin code can turn the traffic light to green and be the first archaeologist to enter the pyramid!
Slide 5 - Tekstslide
Deze slide heeft geen instructies