Anticipatory Set and Closure

The Anticipatory Set (AS) is used by the Teacher at the outset of leading the class through new material. I looked at a couple of definitions, one from the Oklahoma Baptist University and another from About.com. These two definitions agree that the AS should whet the students' appetite for the new material, be used to assess what level of understanding about the subject the student's may already possess and give the students a clear indication of what the lesson will cover and what is expected.

Some of the methods that can be utilized during the AS are direct questioning, role playing or skits, quiz, modeling and even stories or anecdotes. If at all possible I really like role playing with math, because if you can get the body involved in the math principle then it really has a chance to stick. With measurement you could have the students role play the transition from 1 gallon, played by one student, to 4 quarts played by 4 other students and so on. This method also taps into the visual learner as well because now the concept has lept to life and is more visually tangible.

The Closure Set (CS) is more than just a summary (Oklahoma Baptist University). I like OKBU definition because it puts the responsibility for carrying on the information in the hands of the students. Through the closure the students are empowered to reflect on what they've learned as the Teacher puts the new information in a larger context or even better, leads the Students into forming their own context or framework with the new information attached in order to increase retention and to facilitate transfer. The closure is also an opportunity for the Teacher to assess whether the students really got the subject matter.

Some of the methods that can be utilized during the CS it that the Teacher could lead a class discussion, have the students make short presentations, do project in class, or require writing in the students' reflection journal.