This activity is a
great way
to change up a lesson.
Use it as an intro,
or a
warm-up, or in a shortened class period when time is not
plentiful.
This gets more exciting if
you let several or even half of all of the groups win. The very first
group to get the set done correctly can get the BEST prize, but allowing
others to win lesser prizes will keep the whole class trying even after
the quicker ones finish.
Here's
what
it looks like:
- As the class
enters the
room be sure to have 1st place, 2nd
place,
3rd place, etc. written on the board and a piece of
tape
underneath each.
This will pique their curiosity and get them interested
immediately.
- Get class into
pairs. (If
you have an odd number of students, the smartest or quickest
person
should work alone.)
- Each student gets
their
own paper and puts their own name on it.
- A multi-step
problem is
then revealed.
- Everyone works
silently
for 20 to 30 seconds.
- At the end of 20
to 30 seconds
the teacher will say, "SWITCH."
Pairs will then switch SILENTLY and
continue working
on their partner's paper. They may correct any errors that
they find
on their partner's paper, BUT THEY CAN NOT TALK!
- This
20 to 30 second switching will continue until everyone is
finished.
- As the pairs
finish, they
bring their papers up and tape them underneath the 1st, 2nd,
3rd, etc.
place markers.
Be sure to let EVERYONE tape their papers up. Just because
someone is
first or second does not mean that they will win, for they
must also
be CORRECT to win. This fact will give even the slower
students hope
to win and to keep working.
- Once everyone is
taped up
on the board, do the problem in front of the class, they will
watch
because they want to see if they got it correct.
Then start by reading the papers taped under the first place
spot and
announce if they won or not. Continue down the line until you
have all
of your winners.
- Award the prizes, and ask
if they would like another round, assuming that you have extra time.
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NOTES:
- If a team talks while working on the problem, they get their
papers
taken and they must start on a fresh problem.
- If a team talks after they have placed their problem on the
board,
their paper gets moved to the back of the line.
- We keep a roll of duct tape for voluntary use. Anyone
afraid
that their mouth may have a mind of its own is free to place a
piece
of tape over it for the duration of the game.
- Our kids liked this so much that it evolved into a singular
game.
They reached a point where they didn't even want a partner
anymore.
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