Structuring School Opportunities

Helicopter

helicopter master PDF You can copy this and cut it into four pieces to provide a whole bunch of helicopter cut-n-folds for the children.

The step-chart for display is taped together in step order. It accordion folds to fit in a file folder. Helicopter Step-chart PDF

At a large group time you can demonstrate how to cut it (both wrong and right), fold it (both wrong and right), decorate it, attach a small (No. 1, regular) paper clip, and climb up as high as you can to let it fall.

helicopter

I use the Demonstration — Do — Review procedure.

Demonstration at Group Time: I point to a step and immediately demonstrate that step.

Do at Free Time: The learners have all the materials they need available to them. If a person needs help, they ask a peer first, look at the pictured sequence, or look at examples. If that doesn’t work, then the task is too difficult — beyond the Zone of Proximal Development. Paper clip attachment is difficult, but offering that struggle is what the Step-chart is for.

Review at Group Time: Later, often the next session, the group reviews the sequence of steps in the chart and discusses any problems encountered. This review step is where the children get to read and think at Level III Reordering Perception. See Levels of Abstraction.