This summer I took some time to take some Professional Development courses in my district, as well as, did some of my own research online. Many of the ideas were the same, get each of the students involved and make them accountable. In the past I believed that putting students in groups would involve them, and assigning them a “job” would do it. I definitely love having students work together in groups, but as I assessed the situation last year, I noticed that some of my students would just sit there and allow another student to do the job. I knew I had to change something, and I think I may have found my answer.
The question is not where did I find the answer, but from whom? It was from Hope King, a teacher who works at the Ron Clark Academy. I watched her on Periscope a few times and have to tell you, her enthusiasm is contagious, and her ideas are brilliant! She did a scope on a giant Jenga game. And when I say giant, I mean GIANT. She also stated how in the classroom all students should be engaged at all moments. These two little “show and tell” ideas of hers really got my wheels turning, and as Oprah would say, I had an “AH-HA” moment! Kids naturally love to play games, well at least much more than working from a workbook. So I thought to myself I need to incorporate as many game opportunities in my classroom as possible. Then my planning began. Now, I haven’t thought up an excessive amount of game opportunities (yet), but I am incorporating one suggested by Hope King, and one I came up with.
The first game I will be incorporating is a type of “Headbandz” game. Collaborative conversations are so important in class, but if they are not done correctly, they can become unproductive quickly. Therefore, on the first or second day of school, I plan to introduce the collaborative conversation rules to my students. How do I plan on doing it? Well, I’ll start off by telling you that I WON’T be giving a 15 minute lecture on the rules. I WILL be introducing the rules to the students quickly and then they will be paired with a partner. I will then give the pair of students a set of cards that have a different rule written on each of them. The students will place the pile of cards face down on their desk, grab one card without looking at it, and place it in a headband facing their partner. Students will then take turns asking each other yes and no questions to try to figure out what the rule is. This will engage the students, as well as, help them remember the rules for collaborative conversations in our class.
