The ADI Instructional Model
We use the ADI instructional model to create all our math and science investigations. This model includes seven stages of activity. Each stage plays an important role in helping students use disciplinary ideas along with their own ideas to figure out how or why something happens or to develop a solution to a problem in the world around them. Students also have an opportunity to use different disciplinary practices and literacy skills during each stage of a lesson as they work together to make sense of what they are seeing or doing and to move their thinking forward. A brief description of what happens during each stage of the instruction model is provided below.
Stage 1: Task
- An investigation begins with the introduction of a phenomenon or a problem to figure out. Students then share what they noticed and wonder about the phenomenon or problem before they are introduced to the task. This stage ends with students sharing their ideas about the phenomenon or problem and identifying things they will need to learn more about.
Stage 2: Ideas
Students read about some disciplinary ideas that they can use during the investigation and then identify the ideas they think will be most useful or helpful by talking with the other members of their team. The intent of this stage is to “put some ideas on the table” that students can work with as they work together to figure out the phenomenon or develop a solution to the problem.
Stage 3: Plan
Students work together to create a plan for collecting the additional information that they will need to complete the task and how they will make sense of it once they have it. Each group then shares their plan with another group or the classroom teacher so they can get feedback about their thinking. They then use the feedback to revise their plan and make it better.
Stage 4: Do
The different teams follow their plan to collect the data or additional information they need during this stage. Students use different tools, materials, or techniques depending on the nature of the phenomenon or problem. They then work together to make sense of the data or information they gathered to figure out a tentative explanation or solution to the problem.
Stage 5: Share
Students create an evidence-based argument to share what they figured out at the beginning of this stage. Students then have an opportunity to share their argument so students from different teams can critique it and offer feedback. At the end of this stage, the students have a chance to revise their argument to make it stronger based on what they learned from others.
Stage 6: Reflect
Students share what they know about the disciplinary core ideas they used during the investigation and how these ideas can be used to make sense of other phenomena or related problems. They also discuss ways to make future investigations more productive by first identifying the strengths and weaknesses of what they did and then setting goals for next time.
Stage 7: Report
Students write a report to share what did and what they figured out at the beginning of this stage. Students then participate in a double-blind peer review. Next, the students revise their own report to make it stronger based on what they read and the feedback from their peers. The report is then submitted to the teacher for a final evaluation and the lesson ends.
Did the stages of the ADI Instructional Model change? I thought there were 8 Stages, not 7?
We are always refining what we do here at ADI as we test out our instructional materials and reflect on the feedback that we receive from teachers and students. As part of this process, we updated the ADI instructional model to make it even more beneficial for students and easier to use for teachers. All of the features of the original ADI instructional model are still in the updated version, we have just grouped the activities together in a new way. We also added a few new features. Check out the video at the right to learn more about the changes we made to the ADI instructional model.
Science Practices and Literacy Skills
See the science practices and disciplinary-based literacy skills that students use during each stage of an ADI science investigation.
Math Practices and Literacy Skills
See the mathematical practices and disciplinary-based literacy skills that students use during each stage of an ADI math investigation.
See the Research
Learn more about the classroom-based research that examines what students learn during ADI investigations.
Ready to give it a go?
Set up a meeting with one of our program specialists to discuss how you can start using ADI in your district or school.