Closure

=The Process= The process of how students complete a problem is where the learning comes into play.
 * Spend time on the process of figuring out the solution.
 * Let kids struggle with finding the answer.
 * Resist guiding them in the right direction at first
 * Listen to all theories and give them credit as long as they can support their reasoning
 * Use EPSE for math problems when applicable
 * Use some form of thinking map to organize their ideas

=The End Product= Consistancy is key! This is why the process step is so important for students. Hurray if they can get some of the questions correct, but if they can't apply the same concepts on questions with the same basic steps and arrive at an equally right answer, then our students are not performing consistantly.

The "right" answer could have been:
 * guessed
 * copied
 * accidentally discovered

Always ask the student to explain their thinking and how they arrived at their answer. Our students are lacking in content vocabulary and the ability to explain and reason. The more we let students practice explaining, justifying, and reasoning, the better off they will be.

Have the students display their work in a neat, organized fashion around the room for further discussion.

=Discussion=

A wealth of knowlege is waiting to be tapped when students teach each other. Discussion plays a key role in this knowledge acquisition.

Through discussion with their peers students can:
 * redirect each other
 * stay motivated
 * engage in friendly competition
 * become the teacher and the student at the same time
 * try on different roles (writer, presenter, etc.)
 * debate different methods of completing a task
 * practice civil conversation

When you first start using staar picture questions in your lessons, present it in a way that lends itself to whole group, small group, and the individual.

A suggestion would be:
 * Present the question to the whole group
 * Brainstorm how student might begin to complete the task (record these on the board for their reference)
 * Let small groups continue to work on completing the task and recording their work on chart paper
 * As their ticket out of the door, display an individual problem slightly less complex than the small group one for students to complete