Explicitly Teaching HOTS

Why Teach the HOTS explicitly? HOTS are acquired skills, that need to be learned. HOTS need to be taught neutrally, unrelated to English Literature. HOTS which are explicitly taught are filed away in the brain for use in a multitude of different situations, not only for use in English Literature.

The Value of Explicit HOTS teaching In order for the student to transfer the HOTS to other domains, it needs to be neutrally taught.The more experiential the lesson is, the more memorable the HOTS is.When the explicit HOTS lessons are memorable, the HOTS are more easily drawn upon when needed by the student.

How to teach HOTS explicitlyChoose the HOTS which lend themselves to the text well.Think about a life situation in which you use the HOTS.Try and think of a fun, creative, interactive way to present the HOTS.Smile.

Important!Doing these HOTS activities is not always easy for the teacher, they require a certain level of creativity and theatrics. Feedback from students shows that these HOTS activities are well worth the effort! You can do it!In these videos, simple, non-technological means were used to teach the HOTS in order to reach as wide a population of teachers as possible.Pay attention to the fact that the HOTS lessons are short and to the point. They do not take up all of the English hours that you have.

SummaryThe HOTS must be taught explicitly.The HOTS should be taught memorably.There is a wide range of ideas and activities which can be used to teach each HOTS.The amount of time needed to teach the HOTS explicitly does not have to be excessive.Any teacher can do this!

GOOD LUCK!Think of teaching the HOTS explicitly as filling a box of chocolates which your students will carry around and enjoy for years to come!

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