Large Paper
What It Is
By large paper, we mean paper that is big enough for group work. You could use butcher paper that is purchased in rolls or large pads of paper. Some large pads have sheets that stick to walls, which can save you from needing to supply tape or table space.
How to Access It
Butcher paper and large paper pads are widely available and can be purchased at many office supply stores, online retailers, and art supply stores. Butcher paper is usually sold in large rolls and can be cut to size as needed. In addition, several classrooms in Stuart Hall have white board tables and moveable boards available for use, which function similarly to large paper for in-class activities.
Teaching Ideas
Idea 1: Poster presentations
Large paper can be particularly helpful for presenting feedback to the larger group, allowing students to work together to create large visual representations of their ideas. Whether creating a timeline, mind map, or pictures with text, large paper provides a great surface for collaboration, creativity, and presentation. For example, in a larger class of 40 students, you might divide the class into 5 groups of 8 students – based on 5 assigned readings. Each group can use the space on their large paper to present the main points of their reading to the group. The exercise reinforces the content of each essay for the group doing the creative work on their assigned text and in the presentation itself both for presenters and the listeners.
Idea 2: Gallery walk
This in-class activity works well with large pads of paper, but it can also work if you have a lot of whiteboard/chalk board space in your room. Write a different question on 4-6 sheets with space for students to respond. You will separate students into small groups depending on how many sheets/questions you use. For example, in a class of 20 students, you may want to separate students into 5 groups of 4, meaning you would place 5 question sheets around the room. Then, student groups are given a couple of minutes at each question to write down answers. They rotate around the room and add to each group’s answers. Once they have made their way around the “gallery,” spending a couple of minutes at each question, they summarize the responses from their final question for the entire class.
Idea 3: Filling in the gaps
You can use large paper to provide a framework into which students add relevant course information. For example, you could start a timeline with dates, but leave events/text out, or you could provide a basic structure for a mind map into which students sort their own ideas.
The ODL uses technology when possible to enhance our work. This page was written with the assistance of ChatGPT, OpenAI, Jan. 30, 2023 version.