Base Protocol for Gallery Walk Activity

Description

This activity is based on Klafki’s Questions for a Didaktik Analysis, originally intended to

provide a framework for teachers as they select materials. This activity provides a translated

version of Klafki’s Questions to students, and students are asked to create posters as responses to

these questions. This activity takes one full class period.

Aims

This activity seeks to provide students with a structured opportunity to reflect on the topic

covered and consider the materials and the topic’s significance both in terms of coherence with

what they already knew, how they have grown intellectually, as well as the topic’s currency in

terms of what they value and find interesting.

Materials

1. Newsprint Pad

2. Colored Markers

3. Klafki’s Questions sheet, one for each group of three students

4. Gallery Walk Reflection sheet, one for each student

Procedure

1. Inform your students that they will be discussing the materials they have just been

studying, and they will be designing posters to share with each other and with the teacher

about what they have learned.

2. Let them know that the overall question to keep in mind is, “How does science fit into my

life?” Lead a class-wide discussion on what the question means. Also, discuss what a

“Big Idea” is (the critical and important take-away(s) of the unit).

3. Divide the class into groups of 3-4 students each (preferably 3). Provide a copy of

Klafki’s Questions Sheet for each group and a copy of the Gallery Walk Reflection Sheet

for each student.

4. Ask your students to use the questions on the sheet as a guide for making their posters.

Let them know that they may create a poster with words and pictures as they see fit.

5. Provide students with time to first discuss how they want to respond to the guiding

questions, and then the time to create the posters.

6. Hang the posters around the room. Ask your students to walk around the room and

read/look at the posters. They are welcome to take notes on the front or back of the

Gallery Walk Reflection Sheet.

7. When they have looked at all the posters, ask them to respond to the reflection questions.

8. Lead a discussion about the posters and the reflection as a whole class. Ask two or three

students to summarize what the class as a whole put on the posters. To help guide the

discussion, ask these two students what a poster would look like for the entire class. Ask

if any students would like to add anything based on the posters.

9. Discuss students’ responses the reflection questions in terms of similarities and

differences.

10. Ask students, based on their posters and the discussion, how they would answer the

question, “How does science fit into my life?”

11. Ask students if there are any outstanding comments or questions.

Klafki’s Questions Sheet

Please use these questions to guide you as you design a poster about what you have learned in

science class, covered on the last quiz. You are free to use words and pictures to create a poster

as you see fit. Overall, the question to keep in mind is:

“How does science fit into my life?”

1. What was the BIG IDEA that you explored while learning about genetics?

2. How did this BIG IDEA relate to something that you already knew?

3. How might you use this BIG IDEA in the future?

4. How did the readings and activities about genetics make the learning interesting and fun?

Did you learn anything surprising?

Gallery Walk Reflection Sheet

What are some of the similarities you see across the different posters, especially in terms of the

question, “How does science fit into my life?” What are some of the differences?

What are some of the surprising ideas on the different posters? Did you learn anything new?

What are some of the changes you would make to your group’s poster now that you have seen

the other posters? Why?

NOTES: