Six literacy lesson ideas

OnePicture commentary

• Speaking and listening•Writing

Task: Students write a commentary explaining the methodology used in the research and the purpose

TwoBalloon task

• Speaking and listening•Writing

‘Only use me if you need me’

2 clues inside1 for AO11 for AO2

ThreeText transformation

•Reading•Writing

A brief role play

Demonstrates basic understanding of a text

A summary of no more than 30

wordsDemonstrates basic

understanding of a text – distilling and scanning skills

A sketch or picture that illustrates your

theoryDemonstrates interpretation

skills

An example or event from the present day that encapsulates this

theoryDemonstrates skills of application and analysis– students link theory

to the social world

A jingle or rhyme to remember the study

Including the theorists name(s)

Distilling key ideas and terms – committing theory to memory

A detailed critique of the study, drawing out

the strengths and weaknesses

Skills of analysis and evaluation exercised here

Outline three arguments that support of the idea that British society is becoming

more secular (3)

Application of knowledge to exam style question

FourSpeed dating

• Speaking and listening•Reading

Sociological Dating

In this lesson you are going to a cocktail party…• You’re meeting new people…• Some with the same views as you…• Others have different opinions…

The host of the party

gives all of the guests a

card with a point for

discussion on so as to

prompt conversation

The party has turned sour…• A huge debate erupts…• Some of the guests are not

getting along and a divide between the guests appears…

Task: Get into a large group with all the people who agree with you(Stand on opposite sides)

FiveQuestion time

• Speaking and listening•Reading

Question time• Students get into groups that each represent a

different theory/theorist/perspective that they must argue on behalf of.

• They plan their responses to a pre-released question.

• They also plan questions for the other theorists.

SixHate mail •Reading

•Writing

Hate Mail / Rotating Papers • Students initially write down their personal beliefs or attitudes

towards a particular topic or stimulus.

• After a couple of minutes they rotate their sheet clockwise and the next person responds with a counter-argument (even if it contradicts what they actually believe)

• This process continues until students have a built up a detailed critique of an issue – papers then return to the original author.

• Useful for essay heavy subjects as it build skills of analysis and evaluation. Students of commented on how it helps them understand other viewpoints that they may not have considered.