Student writes in a notebook in classroom

Teaching Strategy

3-2-1

Gauge students’ understanding and interest in a topic by asking them to write down takeaways, questions, and something they enjoyed about a text, film, or lesson.

Published: March 14, 2014

Save
Share to Google Classroom

Teaching Strategy

Language

English — US

Also available in:

English — UK

Subject

English & Language Arts
History
Social Studies

Grade

6–12

Overview

Use our student-centered teaching strategies to strengthen your students’ literacy skills, nurture critical thinking, and build a respectful and collaborative classroom community. These strategies can be paired with any academic content.

About This Teaching Strategy

A 3-2-1 prompt helps students structure their responses to a text, film, or lesson by asking them to describe three takeaways, two questions, and one thing they enjoyed.

It provides an easy way for teachers to check for understanding and to gauge students’ interest in a topic. Sharing 3-2-1 responses is also an effective way to prompt a class discussion or to review material from the previous lesson.

Lesson Plans

Step 1

After students engage with a text or a lesson, ask them to list the following details in their journals or on separate paper:

Three things that they have learned from this lesson or from this text.
Two questions that they still have.
One aspect of class or the text that they enjoyed.

Step 2

Use students’ responses to guide teaching decisions. 3-2-1 responses can help you identify areas of the curriculum that you may need to review again or concepts or activities that hold special interest for students.

You can modify the elements of the 3-2-1 strategy to focus on particular content questions. For example, if the class has just been studying the International Criminal Court, a teacher might have students write down three differences between the ICC and tribunals such as Nuremberg, two similarities between the ICC and these tribunals, and one question they still have.

You could also use the 3-2-1 structure to help students identify main ideas from supporting information. For example, you could ask students to record three of the most important ideas from the lesson or text, two supporting details for each of these ideas, and one question they have about each of these ideas.

Teaching Strategy

Educators will Introduce students to the concept of inferencing and then help them develop their inferencing skills.

A student reads a handout in the classroom.

Teaching Strategy

Educators will help students assess what they already know about a topic and what they want to learn.

A close up of a student writing on a piece of paper.

Teaching Strategy

Educators will help students assess what they already know about a topic and what they want to learn.

Teaching Strategy

Students compose poems using only words, phrases, or quotations from a text that they find meaningful.

Teaching Strategy

Get all students involved by asking them to show their stance on a statement through their positioning around the room.

A students talks with other students in a classroom

Teaching Strategy

Have students move around the classroom to explore a range of documents, images, or student work.

Students adding post-it notes to a white board.

Teaching Strategy

Encourage students to recognize the multiple causal factors behind an event from history, the present, or literature, using the visual of an iceberg.

Teaching Strategy

This kinesthetic discussion activity invites students to be active listeners and speakers and to interact with a wide range of classmates.

Teaching Strategy

Help students improve their work by allowing them to understand exactly when and where an error occurs, and what they need to do to develop their writing.

Students discussing in groups in a classroom

Teaching Strategy

Help students identify and analyze the key characteristics of the three most common types of news articles.

Students in library working on computers

Teaching Strategy

Help students communicate independently and develop as active listeners by giving them the opportunity to discuss and share ideas in the format of a people's assembly.

Students sitting in groups in a classroom

Teaching Strategy

Introduce students to several perspectives on a topic by having them pick a quotation to explore with their classmates.

More Like This Teaching Resources Learning & Events

Facing History & Ourselves is designed for educators who want to help students explore identity, think critically, grow emotionally, act ethically, and participate in civic life. It’s hard work, so we’ve developed some go-to professional learning opportunities to help you along the way.

Professional Learning

Virtual

Listen to #DisruptTexts founder Julia Torres about taking a critical lens to text selection in ELA classrooms.

Three students at table, working on a project

Professional Learning

Virtual

Issues of equity and education have long existed in our country and continue to manifest today. How can writing and the power of one's voice help us respond to these disparities? Listen to writer and educator, Dr. Clint Smith, where we hear his poetry and reflections on working for justice, equity, and civic agency in our schools.

Professional Learning

Virtual

Explore approaches to centering student voice, building authentic relationships and cultivating community with Molly Josephs, the creator of This Teenage Life, a youth-driven, story-sharing podcast that started as a school club.

More Like This View Upcoming Events View On-Demand Events

Most teachers are willing to tackle the difficult topics, but we need the tools.

— Gabriela Calderon-Espinal, Bay Shore, NY

Search

Search

3-2-1