Racking and Stacking EduProtocols: Maximizing Student Engagement and Learning

As educators, we’re always looking for ways to make our lessons more engaging and effective. One powerful strategy I’ve found is “racking and stacking” EduProtocols. But what exactly does this mean, and why is it so beneficial? Let’s dive in!

What is Racking and Stacking?

“Racking and stacking” refers to the practice of sequencing multiple EduProtocols within a single lesson or unit. It’s like creating a playlist of engaging activities, each building upon the last to deepen understanding and reinforce key concepts.

Why Rack and Stack?

1. Maintains high engagement: By varying activities, you keep students interested and focused.
2. Addresses multiple learning styles: Different protocols cater to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.
3. Scaffolds learning: Each activity builds on the previous one, reinforcing and expanding knowledge.
4. Encourages deeper thinking: Students revisit content in different ways, promoting higher-order thinking skills.

A Racked and Stacked Lesson Example: Manifest Destiny

Let me walk you through a recent lesson I taught on Manifest Destiny, where I racked and stacked several EduProtocols. This particular rack and stack was designed to span two days, allowing for deeper engagement with each protocol and the content.

1. Wicked Hydra
   Why I started here: This protocol activates prior knowledge and curiosity. I displayed a headline about a controversial “Manifest Destiny” t-shirt, prompting students to generate questions. It immediately created interest and set the stage for deeper exploration.
2. Thin Slide
   Why it came next: After piquing their curiosity, I wanted to provide some basic background. The Thin Slide allowed students to quickly process a short textbook excerpt on Manifest Destiny, giving them a foundation for further analysis.
3. 8 Parts of Speech (8pArts)
   Why I used this third: Now that students had some context, I had them analyze the famous “American Progress” painting. The 8pArts protocol encouraged close observation and descriptive language, deepening their understanding of Manifest Destiny’s visual representation.
4. Thick Slide
   Why it followed: Building on their growing knowledge, the Thick Slide pushed students to engage with a more complex article. They had to extract key ideas, find relevant quotes, and make connections – all higher-order thinking skills.
5. CyberSandwich (Compare)
   Why I placed it here: At this point, students had multiple sources of information. The compare component of CyberSandwich allowed them to synthesize their learning, contrasting the news article with their Thick Slide findings.
6. Sketch and Tell
   Why I ended with this: As a final reflection, students revisited the original textbook excerpt, adding new information they’d learned throughout the lesson. This protocol encouraged metacognition and allowed students to visually represent their expanded understanding.

This Rack and Stack can be found here.

The Power of the Stack

By racking and stacking these EduProtocols over two days, I created a dynamic learning experience that allowed for both breadth and depth. Students had time to fully engage with each protocol, building their understanding step by step. This extended approach also allowed for more meaningful discussions and reflections between activities.

Racking and stacking EduProtocols isn’t just about using multiple activities – it’s about thoughtfully sequencing them to maximize learning. When done well, it creates a lesson that’s greater than the sum of its parts, leading to deeper understanding and more engaged students.

Learning from the Masters

When it comes to racking and stacking EduProtocols, one educator stands out as a true master of the craft: Justin Unruh. His innovative approaches to combining protocols have inspired countless teachers, including myself. If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of racked and stacked EduProtocols, I highly recommend checking out Justin’s templates. They offer excellent “grab and go” options for easy implementation in your classroom, perfect for both newcomers to EduProtocols and experienced users looking for fresh ideas.

So next time you’re planning a lesson or unit, consider how you might rack and stack EduProtocols to create a truly powerful learning experience. Whether you’re spreading it across multiple days like my Manifest Destiny lesson or creating a single power-packed session, the possibilities are endless!