3-2-1

Why use it?

• To help focus ideas about a new concept. 
• To scaffold the skills of summarizing.

Tips for success

• Use this strategy after students have learned a new concept through a lesson, video, or text. 
• Ask groups to choose a spokesperson to share some of their ideas back to the whole class. 
• Consider doing this strategy as a whole class the first time students use it. 

How do I use it?

• Give each student a 3-2-1 Recording Sheet reproducible. 
• Direct students to record:
  • 3 facts or things they have learned from the lesson or text, 
  • 2 questions they still have. And;
  • 1 main idea.
• After 5-8 minutes, students move into small groups. Students share and discuss their ideas using a round-robin process to ensure balanced participation. Students begin by sharing one category. After each group member has shared something in that category, then move on to the categories. 
• Students share and discuss as a whole class. 

Variations

• Change the elements of the 3-2-1 strategy to focus on particular content questions. For example, if students are learning about the differences between plant and animal cells, they could record 3 differences, 2 similarities, and 1 question. 
• Identifying Main Ideas: Students could record 3 of the most important ideas from the lesson or text, 2 supporting details for each of these ideas and 1 question they have about each of these ideas.
• Students could complete this activity in groups using chart paper.
• Students could write their facts, questions, and main ideas on sticky notes to post on the white board, chart paper, or a virtual platform like Jamboard.