Lesson Structure

Elephango lessons are structured using a three-part pattern: Get It!, Got It?, and Go! This pattern allows lesson narratives to develop as needed while maintaining a consistent experience for students (and the adults supporting them).

The learner must be central to all decision-making. Devices and strategies — such as realistic and relevant scenarios, elements of storytelling, and learning experiences that aid in the transfer of understanding to other situations — are required.

Hook

The hook jump starts the Get It! section. Although it is the third engagement step for the learner — after the topic and title (1) and the short description (2) — it is the most important.

Sometimes called an anticipatory set, the hook frames thinking and sparks interest and curiosity in the topic or concept. A good hook directly connects or triggers a connection between the concept and prior knowledge or background information.

Hooks must be well thought out, deliberate, and creative. They can be the most difficult and time-consuming content to develop, particularly for online learning.

The hook must achieve one of the following.

• Ask the student to speculate.
• Cause creative thinking.
• Engage the student in physical movement.
• Have the student try something new.
• Show a new way to look at something.

Follow these guidelines.

√	DO reflect on the topic’s uniqueness. What is intriguing about it?
√	DO align with the content. For example, do not use humor to hook into a serious topic.
√	DO make connections to other content areas. These must be at the same grade level or something familiar.
√	DO use media such as video, images, sound clips, movement, virtual field trips, games, and puzzles.
√	DO connect deeply with the content rather than focus on something surface-level.
√	DO have fun and use humor the learner will understand and appreciate.

X	Do NOT instruct the learner to work with a teacher or parent.
X	Do NOT make the hook just an introductory paragraph to the instruction.
X	Do NOT focus on your interests. Keep the student front and center.
X	Do NOT always use the same hook type, making it ineffective over time.
X	Do NOT be gratuitous or tangential. Focusing on the overly odd or one-offs is distracting and not engaging.
X	Do NOT use subjective humor that the learner will not understand or enjoy.

The following tools are encouraged. Keep a list of ideas.

• movie trailers
• video clips
• problems to consider
• music
• mysteries
• gallery walks
• images or graphics
• mystery boxes
• art or creative activities
• virtual field trips or adventures
• choice boards
• short stories or reading

No transition is required because the hook leads directly into the Get It! section. Do not directly reference the hook, either. Refer the learner back to the beginning of the lesson.

IMPORTANT: We suggest you develop your lesson directly in the Developer Center or utilize our free HTML Source Editor. If you develop your lesson somewhere else — such as Word or Google — you cannot copy and paste it into the Developer Center. The hidden HTML codes will crash the system and delete your lesson. If you prefer to develop this way, copy your content without formatting before pasting it.