Clozing In On Learning: Using Cloze Activities In The Classroom

Clozing in on Learning: Using Cloze Activities in the Classroom

A Cloze activity involves taking a piece of writing and removing key terms. The students must then use their understanding of the material and context clues to “cloze” in the gaps. The terms, the writing, or both may be the focus of the exercise. For it to be effective, the context clues must be clear. Depending on the nature of the assignment, the teacher may choose to provide a word bank.

Cloze exercises can be a great instructional tool. They can be used to build vocabulary, to summarize curriculum content, and to improve reading and writing skills. They can be taken from a number of sources and/or they can be created or customized by classroom teachers or students (word processing software, scanners, and the Internet have made Cloze activities more easily accessible). They can be done individually, in small groups, or as an entire class. And, they’re fun!

The following is a Cloze activity I created on Roman history. For additional examples, try http://www.enchantedlearning.com/cloze/

The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Ancient Roman (a cloze activity)

As we all know, Rome was not built in a day…From those now famous seven hills along the _____, a small village grew to dominate and define the classical world. From early struggles against the ancient _____ of central Italy to the _____ which pitted the young upstart against _____, a veritable Mediterranean powerhouse in the 2nd century BC (If it weren’t for Hannibal’s blunder, the world would be a much different place!), Rome’s reach slowly but surely expanded beyond its defensive city walls. At its height, Rome’s rule extended from the _____ in the East to the Iberian Peninsula in the West and from Hadrian’s Wall in the North to the great natural wall of the _____ in the South. The little Italian village became the West’s first superpower! Part of Rome’s success was due to advancements in military training, _____ (the plan of attack) and technology (Some historians have argued that the Roman military machine was the greatest the world has ever seen!). From its _____ army (Many soldiers actually served for life!) that was divided into efficient and deadly _____, to its clever use of _____ (the talking man’s weapon), Rome was the master of the battlefield. With soldiers who trained constantly in _____ combat (real war games!), Rome assembled an infantry and a _____ (eyes of the army) to subdue its enemies on land and a navy to sink them at sea. They borrowed and improved upon the Greek _____ and developed formations of their own like the turtle for siege warfare. They attacked enemy lines at their _____ (the Achilles heel) and broke them at the center with swift, relentless blows (if only Lee had been watching?). They built fortresses on _____ and walls like Hadrian’s that held Picks and others at bay. At West Point, Rome still holds a prominent position in military text! Rome’s fortunes waxed and waned with its ever-changing political climate. During the _____ (a model for our own system), patricians and _____ feuded over representation. _____, elected annually, bowed to the powerful _____ who’s members supposedly created laws that protected all _____ of Rome (hence the popular inscription “PSQR”). Masters of _____ (the fine art of speaking) like _____ managed the growing empire from the “White House” in the forum. The city’s experiment with bicameral representation and checks and

Cloze Activity, Folwell Dunbar balances ended with the rise of _____. The hero of Gaul “assassinated” the Republic and his enemies assassinated him. Rome fell into a bloody _____ which was brought to an end by _____, the “exalted one.” For the next 200 years, the infamous _____, the empire experienced unprecedented peace. During this period and beyond, its fate hinged on the skill and ability of its leaders. _____ emperors like Caligula, Nero and Elagabalus, with their sea shells, fiddles and prom dresses, pulled Rome down; while Hadrian, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius and others lifted her up. The latter made _____ decisions (on the battlefield and in town), lead by _____ (do as I do, not just as I say) and embodied those characteristics that made the empire great. For those of us with political aspirations, the good, the bad and the ugly can all be found in Rome! The ancient city sustained power by keeping the people safe and happy. Roman _____ developed new technologies (_____ being arguably the most significant) and built and supported an _____ that rivals that of modern nations. _____ carried water for miles and delivered it to hot, cold and tepid _____ . _____ lifted structures higher and higher and domes gave buildings a new, glorious cover (the _____, dedicated to all the gods, is probably our most magnificent surviving example). Architecture and art were created for both form and _____ (think of our own city).

Word Bank

1. Accepting 18. Etruscans 35. Pax Romana 2. Aqueducts 19. Example 36. Phalanx 3. Arches 20. Flanks 37. Plebeians 4. Barbarian 21. Function 38. Pompeii 5. Baths 22. Gladiatorial 39. Popular 6. Calvary 23. High Ground 40. Professional 7. Carthage 24. Inept 41. Punic Wars 8. Caspian Sea 25. Inflation 42. Republic 9. Christianity 26. Infrastructure 43. Rhetoric 10. Cicero 27. Julius Caesar 44. Sahara 11. Citizens 28. Latin 45. Senate 12. Civil War 29. Law 46. Strategy 13. Concrete 30. Legions 47. Succession 14. Constantine 31. Mercenaries 48. Tiber 15. Consuls 32. Octavian Caesar 49. Virgil 16. Diplomacy 33. Overextended 50. Well 17. Engineers 34. Pantheon

Cloze Activity, Folwell Dunbar Cloze Activity, Folwell Dunbar