The Parking Lot

Here's a borrowed strategy called the "parking lot."  In the past, we have used a simple version of the parking lot, in which off-topic comments or questions were recorded for us to re-visit later.  This version has four parts, making it way cooler!  This is how it works:  Write a comment or question on a post-it note and place it on any one of the four lots (see explanation below).  It serves as a communication piece between classmates and students and teacher.  Students use it to communicate things like how well our reading/writing workshops are going, what titles they want added to our classroom library, or even suggestions for organizing the classroom.  The "parking lot" can also be used as an "exit slip" to check for understanding before, during, or after a lesson.  It's just one way to communicate throughout the entire year!

+ ... Positive feedback (What's working?)

∆ ... Constructive criticism (What needs to change?)

? ... Question (What do you wonder about?)

☀ ... "A-ha" moment (What new understanding do you have?)