Implementing Mini Lessons in 4 Simple Steps

Mini Lessons in 4 Simple Steps

Mini lessons are short teaching modules in which specific skills or concepts are taught. The lessons are generally 10-15 minutes long and target one teaching objective, which may :

• Teach a specific skill set.
• Elaborate on a concept.
• Generate interest in a topic.
• Clarify questions.
• Incorporate a specific strategy into the learning process.

Mini lessons are useful as they:

• Enable students to focus, learn and master specific teaching points.
• Help teachers guide learning until students are proficient at independently applying learned skills.
• Provide detailed feedback to students about skills they need to improve.

Mini Lessons in Practice

In order to master skills, students must understand underlying principles, observe effective models in action and practice the skills. Mini lessons are effective only when these three components are successfully incorporated. Teachers can implement mini lessons in their classrooms using the following 4 steps:

Connect: In this step teachers can introduce and describe the skill, concept or strategy. When engaging in this step, teachers must:

• Create an impact: Teachers can try to grab students’ attention, build curiosity and generate interest in topics by using use bold opening statements or questions.
• Facilitate point of convergence: Studies have shown that there must be a point of convergence between understanding (what and why) and skill (how), in order for students to want to apply what they learn. The effectiveness of mini lessons relies on students’ willingness to make the skills being taught a part of their daily practice. Therefore, help students understand the importance, relevance and need for learning the skill or concept.

Teach: The teaching objective is taught through explanations, modeling and demonstrations. Teachers can use the think aloud strategy to help students see and understand the subject.

Practice: Students actively engage, or “learn by doing,” when teachers prepare opportunities for hands-on activities. This step enables students to practice skills, make mistakes and learn from their own experiences. Guided practice also enables teachers to assess for understanding and to correct any errors.

Link: Teachers can help students connect the mini lesson to the broader topic. Transference of skills occurs when students are able to independently apply learned skills to new contexts. This validates their learning and fills students with a sense of accomplishment.

Implementing mini lessons using these 4 simple steps can help students train, gain mastery of specific skills, concepts and strategies, strengthen their learning and improve academic performance.

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