Top 12 AFL Strategies

Not a red pen in sight!

Lesley Ann McDermott

 Progression Traffic Lights
Use traffic lights as a visual means of showing
understanding. Laminate for display.
RED, AMBER, GREEN
Either give students red, amber, green cards which
they show on their desks or ask for raised hands.
At the beginning of the lesson ask for prior knowledge.
Review in the plenary session.

Instant feed back to inform your planning.

RED = dont understand, know nothing, not confident...

AMBER = know a little, nearly there...
GREEN = totally get it, got is sussed, confident learner etc...
 Think, Pair, Share
Pose an opened ended question or problem to which
there may be a variety of answers.
THINK: Allow thinking time and direct them to
think about the question.
PAIR: Students then work in pairs to share ideas,
discuss, clarify and challenge.
SHARE: Share ideas with another pair or with whole
class

It is important that students need to be able to

share their own partners ideas as well as their own.

Peer interaction and thinking time are powerful

factors in improving responses to questions.
 Numbered heads together
Divide students into groups of 4,
students each given a number 1-4
Teacher poses a question or problem.
Each individual in the group has to
contribute an idea, answer or solution.
The group then have to agree on which
idea will be their group answer.
Teacher calls out a number randomly
1-4.
Students with that number raise their
hands, and when called on, the student
answers for his or her team.
 ABCD TF YN cards
Laminate lettered cards A, B, C, D, or T, F, Y, N,
Ask Multiple choice questions: A, B, C, D.
Even better when there is more than one correct
answer to spark a discussion, or when the answers
depend on the assumptions the student makes.
Ask True/False or Yes/No questions.
Students hold lettered cards up in response.

A B C D T F Y N
If you cant afford active vote or get hold of active vote
this is a cheaper alternative!
 Class basketball
Pass a soft ball to one student to give one main idea
from the lesson to share with group.
The ball then passes to another student to give
another main point of the lesson.
Once a student has taken part s/he cannot be passed
the ball again.
This continues until the teacher thinks the main
points have been given.
 Student created problems
Students in pairs/groups pose
a question for the class to
answer write it on mini
whiteboards or post its.

At end of the lesson take the

questions and ask other
groups to answer them.
Students in groups then work
on answers
Groups feedback to class with
answers.
 Find the fib

Write two correct statements about

the lesson and one fib
Ask students to tell you which one is
the fib and why?
 One, Two, Review, Review
One Two Review Review I didnt
I You - I now know... know/think of
this because...

ONE: I I learned this...

TWO: you You thought/added...
REVIEW I now know... what they have learned
from paired conversation
REVIEW I didnt know/think this because... allows
reflection on thought processes.
Starts with the individuals contribution and then
moves onto the paired learning experience.
 Two Stars and a Wish
Peer assessment, self assessment or teacher
assessment
Identify two positive things the student has done well
and what you wish they could do in the future.

It may be assessment, behaviour, presentation driven.

Ask if they can act on the wish next time or there
and then for immediate action.
This could be recorded in their books on a sheet.
 Smiley faces
Got it sussed. Ready to move on!

Nearly there! Understand some parts
but not all.

Unsure. Do not understand and need

to look at it again!

Students draw smiley faces to Good for checking

indicate how comfortable they knowledge on
are with the topic. . revision lists.
 Thumbs
I get it

Sort of half way there...

I dont get it

Check class understanding of what you are

teaching by asking them to show their thumbs.
 Post it
What I have learnt? What I have found easy??

What have I found What do I want to know now?

difficult?

Set an area of wall space for students to stick post it

notes.
Groups, pairs, individual can answer.
Instant feedback to inform your planning.
Top 12 AFL Strategies