Teach Better - Work Less - Achieve More: Number Mania EduProtocol

The Number Mania EduProtocol tasks students with working at a deeper level of comprehension to create an original infographic depicting information and content covered. Students then comment and reflect on the work of peers. Students create their infographic using only the shapes and lines within the slide program or icons from The Noun Project, a collection of simplified images. Otherwise they may not use premade images or photos since this is a poster about facts, numbers, and statistics. The focus should be on representation and communication of those facts in the most straightforward manner possible, pushing students not only to visualize the big ideas of the content but also to construct those ideas based on their understanding of it.

 

Academic Goals

• To construct a visual and oral understanding of content
• To reflect and comment thoughtfully on the work of peers
• To summarize findings

Teacher Big Ideas

• Infographics convey numbers and data in a visual format to increase comprehension.
• Students learn to comment constructively on the work of peers.
• Students internalize the content as they analyze data and put it in a visual format.

Prepare for the Activity

Step 1: Choose the topic of study.

Step 2: Find samples of infographics to share with students (search Google Images for student-made infographics).

Step 3: Prepare a shared spreadsheet for the crowdsources collection of data and facts. Note: Spreadsheets work well for the data collection process. Alternatively, create a Google Form for students to submit their researched data/facts. The results can be shared on a Google Sheet that the teacher can share with students. 

Step 4: Create a customized slide that is 8" x 14" or 14" x 8" or similarly long and skinny size that is typical of mahy infographics. Note: This slide deck is 11" x 8" and is a fine option.

Step 5: Optional--Place a collection of infographics icons from The Noun Project along the sides of the slide for students to use.

Instructions

Step 1: Introduce infographics to students by showing them several sample images and talking about the elements on the infographic (number-centric with short, impactful data points).

Step 2: Students conduct research from the printed reading material, teacher-curated websites, or the internet to gather facts for their infographic and paste their facts into a classwide shared spreadsheet (feel free to make a copy or create a Google Form that will collect students' research). Be sure students include the link to the original source in their spreadsheet or in bibliographic information later so other students can verify the number.

Step 3: Show students how the elements in their drawing program (i.e. Google Slides) can be used to create an infographic. Discuss design elements such as lines, shapes, simple images, titles, and numbers.

Step 4: Students create their infographic using numbers and facts from the crowdsources document for the data.

Step 5: Students share their infographic with peers.

Step 6: Students comment on the infographics of at least three to four other students. Provide guidelines for constructive comments appropriate for these peer reviews. There are many samples and models for peer-to-peer feedback bu tone easy way to start is to have students provide comments in two categories: positive comments and question comments

Positive Comments

• What impressed me was...
• You helped me understand...
• It had a big impact on me when...

Question Comments

• Why do...?
• Have you considered...?
• What are...

Step 7: Optional--Students revise their infographics based on feedback from peers.

Key Points to Remember

• Start small
• Keep it moving
• Maintain simplicit all around (data and images)

Adapting for Littles

Littles love numbers, too, and they can be successful with this activity if they have some scaffolding. Collect data on a class chart while exploring books, videos, or other content together. Add the elements for th infographic on the side of the template or embed it in their drawing: stick figures, preformatted numbers, or shapes. The Noun Project add-on places line-drawing images right in Google Slides and is easy for littles to use. Littles may benefit from verbal feedback form peers until writing skills are strong enough to incorporate written feedback. Sentence frames are great for helping Little switch verbal feedback and comments.

See the slide deck below for detailed instructions and feel free to make a copy of the template.