Steve Smith's top tip introduced the following sequence that can be used to enable pupils to work indpendently through an enquiry. You can access his presentation and the lesson resource in the S:drive folder 'TOP TIP'
Seven Monkeys Learning Lesson
You have
been given a question to answer in this lesson. Take on the role of the seven
monkeys to find the best possible answer you can.
1.
Reader Monkey
ONLY reads the text- as many times as you like but make no notes and don’t
discuss- just read!
2. Highlighter Monkey
SELECTS key points to highlight within the text. Choose carefully!
3.
Artist Monkey
turns the highlighted points into a drawing. Use a flow chart, a diagram, a
comic strip or a page of small cartoons to summarise the information in the
text.
4. Teacher Monkey explains
the drawing to their partner. The partner must ask 1- 3 questions about the
drawing.
5.
Active
Monkey tests themselves with an activity. Collect this
from the teacher – it will be a gap fill, a quiz, a card sort or something
similar.
6. Scribe Monkey
writes a detailed answer to the lesson question. You should include as much
detail as you can, using all the information you have gathered in the lesson.
7.
Marking Monkey
swaps ‘answers’ with their partner. You should use the mark scheme given to you
by the teacher to grade your partners answer and give feedback through helpful
comments. BE POSITIVE but don’t be afraid to point out mistakes or
improvements.
