How to Make Educational ‘Priority Puzzles’ and Why Every Teacher Should Make Them
Unlocking the Pedagogical Power of Priority Puzzles
Teachers, we're always on the hunt for innovative ways to make learning more meaningful for our students, especially for those navigating the complexities of a new language. This brings me to introduce the Educational ‘Priority Puzzles’ methodology, a vibrant and holistic approach to enhance linguistic abilities, critical thinking, and communication skills. The term “*Priority Puzzle” was initially a marketing concept to promote products through gamification; however, I propose that teachers can take it to a whole new level. Let me take you on a journey to explore my dynamic educational method and how it can revolutionize your classroom experience.
Rationale Behind Priority Puzzles
Before delving into the specifics, let's take a moment to understand the reasoning behind the methodology. In a world overwhelmed by choices, it's crucial for students to learn prioritization, logical reasoning, and effective communication. The Priority Puzzles methodology taps into this need by simulating real-world scenarios where students must weigh their options, engage in informed debates, and make decisions.
Why it Works
1. Active Engagement: Instead of passively consuming information, students actively partake in learning.
2. Holistic Development: This method promotes linguistic development along with life skills like decision-making, critical thinking, and collaborative communication.
3. Incremental Learning: Each phase introduces and reinforces concepts, ensuring long-term retention.
The Power of Tactile Learning
Our classrooms are diverse; filled with students of different learning paces and styles. Priority Puzzles recognize this diversity and offer a tactile, hands-on experience, which is particularly effective for our livelier students.
The Tactile Advantage:
Calming Nature: Physically manipulating the cut-outs and conversation cards can calm hyperactive students, offering a focused learning environment.
Satiate Curiosity: There's an inherent need in many of us to 'touch and feel.' Priority Puzzles cater to this tactile curiosity, making learning more immersive.
Classroom Management: From my years in the educational realm, I've seen firsthand the positive impact of tactile learning on classroom discipline. It's a preventive approach, addressing potential disruptions before they arise.
Though it might seem a tad cumbersome to prepare the cut-outs and cards, the long-term benefits in classroom management and student engagement far outweigh this initial effort. However, it's essential to guide students on handling these materials responsibly to ensure longevity.
Phase 1: Laying the Foundation
New Vocabulary and Prior Knowledge
The journey begins with cut-out pictures, each accompanied by a word that identifies it, centered around a specific theme. Students, in groups, must decide on the 20 or 12 (depending on the version) best, most important, or most desired elements represented by the pictures in the cut-outs. Afterwards, they must paste these images on to the ‘Ranking Board’ which is numbered to help them with their prioritizing. In performing this activity, students immerse themselves in discussion, debate, and decision-making processes. They're tasked with not just recognizing the new vocabulary but also connecting it to their prior knowledge.
The act of deciding, comparing, eliminating, and ranking fosters critical thinking, and this is where the magic begins. Here, students not only familiarize themselves with new words but also delve deep into their significance, relevance, and connection to the broader theme.
Phase 2: Organizing Thoughts
Classifying and Categorizing
With a plethora of new vocabulary now at their fingertips, students venture into the world of classification. They categorize the identified items or qualities, deepening their understanding and cementing these new terms in their memory.
This phase enhances cognitive flexibility as students recognize that some items may fall into multiple categories. It's a beautiful dance of logic, reasoning, and linguistic application.
Phase 3: Conversational Mastery
Engaging in Real-World Communication
Having built a strong vocabulary foundation, students now dive into real-world conversational scenarios. Presented with thematic conversation cards, they practice using the new vocabulary, honing their oral communication skills. This phase is akin to testing the waters, a preliminary step before they take the final plunge into comprehensive written expression.
Phase 4: Brainstorming Brilliance (Optional- Depending on nature of task)
Laying the Groundwork for Expression
This phase kicks in when there's a need for a more in-depth exploration of the topic. Students brainstorm, addressing specific questions related to the theme. It's a crucial preparatory step, priming them for the grand finale - the comprehensive written report.
Phase 4/5: The Culminating Act
Written Mastery and Integration
Here, students bring together everything they've learned. They integrate knowledge from all previous phases to craft a detailed report or essay. The act of writing not only solidifies their linguistic acquisition but also showcases their analytical prowess and depth of understanding.
Pedagogical and Linguistic Functions of Priority Puzzles
- Linguistic Enrichment: The multi-phase approach ensures students are repeatedly exposed to new vocabulary, which aids retention and fluency.
- Real-world Relevance: Engaging in debates and discussions mimics real-life scenarios, making language learning relevant and practical.
- Skill Development: Beyond linguistic abilities, students cultivate life skills imperative for personal and professional success.
Teachers, Priority Puzzles is not just a method; it's a revolution. By seamlessly blending tactile elements with linguistic advancement, it ensures an engaging, efficient, and effective educational experience. It doesn't just teach; it empowers. In a world seeking thinkers, communicators, and leaders, this methodology equips students with the skills they need. So, while this may sound like an endorsement, it's genuinely an invitation: an invitation to make your classroom a dynamic hub of learning, growth, and empowerment.
Remember, learning is not just about knowing; it's about understanding, applying, and evolving. And Priority Puzzles? Well, they're the key to unlock this holistic journey. Happy teaching!
(*Priority Puzzles is originally a marketing concept discussed in the website 2023 “Playable ApS” https://playable.com/concepts/priority-puzzle/)I hope that I have convinced you to try priority puzzles with your students. I have provided a few examples to help you create your own priority puzzles but if you would simply like to buy a set, feel free to click on the links below. The following priority puzzles are specifically geared toward ESL/EFL or language arts students.
