Minds On
Focusing our attention
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
When in our daily lives do we need to focus our attention on someone or something?
Think about different moments in your day when this is happening. Complete the Ideas for Focusing in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Get ready to share!
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Ideas for Focusing.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
We are now going to share! You will need a partner or a recording device.
It is time to share your list that you just made! Choose how you want to share:
With a partner
Who will share their list first? You can share out loud or in writing.
When it is not your turn to share, focus on your partner and what they share. When they are finished, ask them a question about their list.
Now, switch roles.
On your own
If you do not have a partner, what are some ways you can share your list with others?
- Record a “Ways to Share” list in an audio clip, or a method of your choice.
- Choose your favourite way to share. Why is it your favourite?
- Listen or read back what you shared.
Action
Focusing strategies
In the Minds On section, you took turns or created a “Ways to Share” list.
How did you focus on what was shared?
There are different ways that we focus our attention. These are called strategies.
In this activity, there are some examples of ways that we focus our attention.
For each strategy, select whether it is a focus strategy or not.
Using our strategies
Choose one of the focus strategies you learned in the activity.
Use this strategy as you explore this episode of 16 Hudson.
Use an audio recorder or work with a partner to discuss the strategy you chose and how you used it during the video.
Take turns if you have a partner. Listen or read your recording.
Tree’s Company retell
Now, discuss the story you explored in the video called “Tree’s Company.”
Use the following chart or a method of your choice to explain:
- What happened at the beginning of the story?
- What happened in the middle of the story?
- What happened at the end of the story?
Complete the Tree’s Company Retell in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Tree’s Company Retell.
Review what you’ve learned
You learned different focus strategies during this learning activity. You have practiced your focus strategies.
Record your responses in a method of your choice to these questions:
- What strategy did you choose from the focus strategies list?
- How did using this strategy help you understand “Tree’s Company” or focus on your partner or recording?
Consolidation
Using my focus strategies
With a partner
Student Success
Think-Pair-Share
With your partner, choose a topic that you both enjoy and can discuss together.
Who will share first? Who will practice using their focus strategies?
Which focus strategy will you use when you are not sharing?
When your partner has finished sharing, ask them a question or retell them something that you really enjoyed about their information.
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
On my own
Brainstorm
Share your thoughts
Choose a topic that you enjoy and can share information about.
Record yourself sharing this information in an audio recording or a method of your choice.
Now choose a focus strategy to use while you listen or read your recording.
How did using this focus strategy help you when you listened or read your recording?
Reflection
How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.