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Lesson Minis
Bell Ringers & Exit Tickets
Instructional Strategies
Graphic Organizers
LESSON MINI
ACTIVITIES: 5
Teaching for Tomorrow
GRADE: 6-12
New

Reality Check: Media Literacy for a Changing World

Students explore how media shapes understanding and develop critical thinking skills through analysis, collaboration, and future-focused reflection.
LESSON MINI
ACTIVITIES: 4
Teaching for Tomorrow
GRADE: 6-12
New

Media Literacy: Think. Question. Create.

Students learn how media shapes thinking and build skills to question, analyze, and respond as critical consumers and responsible creators.
LESSON MINI
ACTIVITIES: 4
Teaching for Tomorrow
GRADE: 6-12
New

Messages That Matter: Creating Media with Purpose

Students explore how messaging shapes trust by analyzing media ethics, persuasive techniques, and intent in content creation.
LESSON MINI
ACTIVITIES: 3
Image Study
GRADE: 6-12

Image Exploration

Students analyze, complete, and create image-based content to explore topics through visual literacy.
LESSON MINI
ACTIVITIES: 3
Video Study
GRADE: 6-12

Video Exploration

Students analyze, complete, and create video-based content to explore topics through audiovisual literacy.

CHOOSE TYPE

GRADE
Instructional Strategy – Grade
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New

Talking Points

Students use four scaffolded questions to activate prior knowledge, refine ideas, and share viewpoints, supporting reasoning and giving teachers valuable feedback at any point in a lesson.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Read Actively
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Analyzing Images

Students analyze images to activate prior knowledge, elicit interest in a unit of study or topic, and deepen understanding and connections.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Question & Inquire
GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Analyzing Political Cartoons

Students analyze political cartoons using a structured approach to identify symbols, understand context, and interpret deeper meanings to build critical media literacy skills.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Conversation Circles

Conversation Circles facilitate discussion of text-inspired ideas in a structured format through movement and dialogue with peers.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Flash Debate

Students are assigned/given a position to defend using text evidence; they are then paired with a peer to discuss opposing perspectives and counterclaims.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Four Corners

Four Corners promotes listening, peer communication, and decision-making through movement as students take stands on controversial statements and ideas.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Give One, Get One

Students engage in the reciprocal exchange of ideas by sharing their insights and observations with multiple partners about a question, image, or text.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Guided Image Observation

This directed visual analysis tool requires students to critically examine image components such as objects and lighting to form ideas.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Human Continuum

This metacognitive discussion tool asks students to be flexible and reflective listeners and thinkers and evaluate their statements about topics.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Acquire Vocabulary
GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Interactive Vocabulary Journal

Students create vocabulary journals that connect academic terms to visual elements, personal experiences, and cultural knowledge to build language.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Question & Inquire
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

K-W-L

K-W-L is a graphic organizer/chart system students use to determine what they already know, what they want to know, and what they learned during a lesson.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Develop Language (MLL)
GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Language and Conversation Tracker

Students bridge informal and formal language through structured documentation, building awareness of language differences and academic vocabulary.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Develop Language (MLL)
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Language Domain +1 Matrix

Teachers use a structured matrix to plan comprehensive language supports across receptive and productive domains for MLL student success.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Discuss & Collaborate
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Portrait Sorting and Analysis

Students develop visual perceptual skills by analyzing and sorting portraits to uncover meaning behind artistic renderings of individuals and groups.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Question & Inquire
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

See-Think-Wonder

See-Think-Wonder graphic organizers help students unpack visual stimuli by documenting their observations, interpretations, and questions about images.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY
Acquire Vocabulary
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, UNIV

Semantic Feature Analysis

Students build vocabulary by examining how words and related traits connect to one another by charting their relationships on a provided matrix.
GRADE
Graphic Organizer – Grade

Talking Points

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
New
VIEW

2-Circle Venn Diagram

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

3-Circle Venn Diagram

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

5Ws and 1H

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
VIEW

Analyzing Political Cartoons

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

Bubble Web

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
VIEW

Empathy Map

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

Idea Web

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

K-W-H-L

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

K-W-L

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

Language Domain +1 Matrix

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Univ
VIEW

See-Think-Wonder

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
VIEW

Semantic Feature Analysis

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
VIEW

T-Chart

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
VIEW

Top Hat

GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8
VIEW

BELL RINGER USE

EXIT TICKET USE

GRADE
Bell Ringer – Grade Filter

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New

Let’s Chat!

Students engage in pair work to respond to a speaking prompt.
© Niall W | Dreamstime.com

BELL RINGER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
New

Today in History

Students research and share key facts about a historical event or person linked to a historical date using Britannica resources.
© N.Savranska/stock.adobe.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12

#KeyIdeas

Students generate #hashtags to review key ideas from an activity.
© Nuthawut/stock.adobe.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

3-2-1 Reflection

Students generate lists with learnings, connections, and questions to review new content.
© Vasakna/Dreamstime.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Aha Moments & Head Scratchers

Students indicate their level of understanding by writing or drawing “Aha!” and “Head Scratcher” moments from the lesson.
© Mix and Match Studio/stock.adobe.com, photo illustration Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Brain Burst

Students write freely about everything they recall about a given topic.
© Antonio Solano/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Check-In Survey

Students complete check-in surveys focused on socioemotional states.
© FrankBoston/stock.adobe.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Draw It Out!

Students provide visual feedback by drawing their understanding, feelings, and questions about the lesson to make reflection accessible for all learning styles and ages.
© Victoria/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 6-8, 9-12

Figurative Language in Music

Students analyze literary devices found in song lyrics.
© sebra/stock.adobe.com; photo illustration by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Focus Frame Feedback

Students identify and illustrate the main takeaway from the lesson and then write a conclusion based on their drawing.
© Bbbar/Dreamstime.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Headline Connections

Students write a headline to represent their biggest learning from the lesson.
© Richard Thomas/Dreamstime.com, photo illustration by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5

Junior Journals

Students journal for 10 minutes.
© Suwaree Tangbovornpichet/Dreamstime.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Learn It! Use It!

Students reflect on their new learnings and how they can apply them.
© Bardushkaphotostock/Dreamstime.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Letter Roll Review

Students answer topic-related questions with words that begin with a randomly selected letter; then they share and discuss their responses with peers.
© wragg—iStock / Getty Images Plus

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Minute List

Students list everything they know about a topic in one minute, and then build on their knowledge through partner and class sharing.
© boophuket/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Odd One Out

Students compare and contrast items to find the odd one out.
© Dreammasterphotographer/Dreamstime.com

BELL RINGER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Picture Detectives

Students analyze a book cover or picture to make predictions.
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Predicting Through Images

Students analyze an image to predict its main message.
© Viktoriia/Stock.adobe.com, © TimmyTimTim/stock.adobe.com, photo illustration by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Question of the Day

Students respond to a thought-provoking question to review previous content or preview upcoming material.
© leolintang/Shutterstock.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Quick Write

Students journal freely to improve memory retention, develop creative thinking skills, and practice self-regulation.
© castecodesign/stock.adobe.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Rose and Thorn

Students reflect on something positive and something challenging from their learning.
© Rafel/stock.adobe.com, photo illustration by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Sketch and Share

Students sketch what they know about a topic.
© Who is Danny/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5

Song of the Day

Students listen to a song and draw or write to show their understanding of its message.
©NFelix/peopleimages.com/stock.adobe.com, © su/stock.adobe.com; photo illustration by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5

Sorting Success!

Students sort objects into groups and explain their sorting choices through drawing or writing.
© Andrii Zastrozhnov/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Story Cubes

Students create story cubes with unit concepts, and then roll and share quick microstory connections to their learning.
© nasir1164/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Topic Knowledge Check

Students complete a pre-assessment or post-assessment survey at the beginning or end of a lesson.
© PureSolution/stock.adobe.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Traffic Light Feedback

Students use a visual traffic light system to quickly communicate their level of understanding.
© Martin Konopka/Dreamstime.com

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

What Stuck with You?

Students reflect and provide feedback on key takeaways from the lesson using a structured format to identify what resonates most.
© New Africa/stock.adobe.com

BELL RINGER

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Word of the Day Discovery

Students define, explore, and illustrate the word of the day.
© Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

BELL RINGER

EXIT TICKET

GRADE: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Write a Question

Students write questions that correspond to a provided answer.
© Cagkan/stock.adobe.com
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