In The End... Closure Matters

Clearly defined learning targets are becoming the norm in the classrooms I visit. Even more exciting is the fact that the students are able to tell me what learning targets they are trying to master. This represents a huge shift in the way in which our students are being taught.  Robert Marzano’s work showcases the importance of making sure students are aware of what it is that we want them to learn.  When students know what is expected, it becomes much more likely that they will meet those expectations.

Creative teachers find a variety of ways to incorporate this learning target into their lesson's opening activities. Anticipatory Sets, Do-Nows, and Attention-Getters are well thought out and revolve around ensuring students understand what they are supposed to learn.  This is good. This is very, very good. 

The focus of this post, however, is not the beginning of the lesson; rather, I wish to devote my attention to the end. You know, the part of the lesson or class period when students tend to get off task - the part that is often ended abruptly by a bell. Personally, I believe these last few moments in a lesson are even more important than the first few.  

                 

Dr. Madeline Hunter describes lesson closure in the following way:  

                  “Closure is not necessarily an end point, but more of a check for understanding used at the end of a class period.”

In other words, lesson closure must include some type of formative assessment, the results of which should guide future instruction.  The end of the lesson is the perfect time to revisit the learning target and ask students to demonstrate what they’ve learned. A lesson plan is similar to an essay in that if written correctly, the conclusion will revisit the ideas broached within the introduction. By taking the time to assess students’ progress towards the learning target, the teacher can better plan future instruction.  

For ideas regarding specific closure activities, check out Todd Finley’s article, 22 Powerful Closure Activities published by Edutopia.

  

Closure activities should reinforce key information, tie up any loose ends, and provide an opportunity for the teacher to correct any misunderstandings.  By designing closure activities that formatively assess what students know and what they still need to learn,  we increase the likelihood that the learning target will be reached; and that’s another Pint-Sized PD.