Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Inside Out

K20 Center | Published: September 16th, 2020 by K20 Center

Card

Cover Image

Inside Out

In this strategy, students assess their existing knowledge on a topic and then explore a question both in text and with a partner.

Inside Out

Summary

Students arrange information in a graphic organizer as they explore a topic. The Inside Out graphic organizer consists of three circles inside one another, similar to the image on the front of this card. By the end of the activity, each circle will contain a different kind of knowledge as newer information visually builds out from the student's own prior knowledge.

Procedure

  1. Have students draw three circles on a piece of paper, one on top of the other, similar to the image on the front of this card, or print the image out and make sure each student has a copy.

  2. Present students with a question.

  3. Give students some time to jot down any prior knowledge they already have about the concept in question and write it into the innermost circle.

  4. After that, have students partner up and share prior knowledge with their partners. The new information they learn during this discussion should then be added to the middle circle.

  5. Distribute a text on the subject (this text could be anything, from an article to a video) and have students explore this text, writing any new knowledge from the text into the outermost circle.

  6. After students have filled out the remaining circle, have students discuss their findings with their partners or debrief with the whole class.