Connect, Extend, Challenge

Choose a reading, video clip, or other resource about a topic that students already have some basic or working knowledge about. The topic could be one you have previously introduced in class, or it could be one with which students are generally familiar from beyond the classroom. Regardless, the source you select for this activity should provide new information or perspectives that have the potential to complicate students’ thinking about the topic.

Provide students with copies of the source for this activity, and then give them time to read or view the source. You might have students read the source multiple times, once together as a class and again independently. Then prompt students to go back to the source one more time and respond to the following three questions. You can also distribute the accompanying handout, Connect, Extend, Challenge Chart, and have students write their answers to the questions there.

Connect: How do the ideas and information in this reading connect to what you already know about ______________?

Extend: How does this reading extend or broaden your thinking about ______________?

Challenge: Does this reading challenge or complicate your understanding of ______________? What new questions does it raise for you?

After students have completed their responses, you might debrief the activity with paired or whole-group discussions to reinforce both students’ understanding of the content and their reflections on the learning process.