Impromptu Review

Today I was in need of a quick filler activity.  We are ending a unit in Social Studies and had a little bit of extra time.  Today was one of those days, a typical Monday I should say, that I didn't have something extra hanging around.  So, I decided on a quick impromptu review with the whole class game Ask-n-Switch.

I gave each student an index card, and they wrote a question of their choice that related to our topic.  They were told to treat this as if they were writing a question that would be found on the test.  On the back of the index card they then wrote the answer to their question.

Before we started Ask-n-Switch, they traded cards with a partner to check that the question was relevant,could be understood, and that the answer was correct.  After the quick check, students stood to signal they were ready to go.

The index cards that contained their own questions and answers became our set of review cards.  The preparation took approximately 3-4 minutes.  In order to come up with a question, they had to reflect on their learning which required them to think deeper.  ALSO, we have a set of review cards that we can use again tomorrow!

Match It ~ A Cooperative Learning Strategy

Have you ever had your students play memory? Match It is a version of memory but rather than students playing by themselves or with a partner, Match It is played with the entire class.  There are card sets available to purchase, but I often have my students make their own.  I give each student an index card, and with their partner they make a question card and an answer card to match.  When all partners have a pair, I collect them, mix them up, and then randomly pass them back out to students. 

I have also given students a specific question or word if I am wanting them to review specific points.  Below you will find directions for this strategy and ways that I have used this strategy in various content areas.  To get a better look, click the picture to enlarge.
 

What other ways can you think to use Match It?

The Great Kapok Tree~Celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day is quickly approaching.  Even though we want our students to be conscientious of recycling, reducing, and reusing on a daily basis this gives us a time to celebrate and educate the younger generation.  

The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry has been one of my favorites for years.  The vibrant illustrations and the story that is told is a memorable one.  In order to celebrate Earth Day, I wanted to incorporate one of my favorites with the importance of the 3 Rs.  

Here it is and it's a Freebie for you!  Students will:

•Conduct an open sort with animals of the Rainforest

•Compare and contrast the Canopy with the Understory

•Compare and contrast the Rainforest with a regular forest

•Choose projects to complete based on their preference and learning style with a Choice Menu

•Create their own plant

•Identify where specific animals live within the layers of the rainforest

•Collaborate with classmates on ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce

•Choose projects to complete on ways to recycle, reuse, and reduce based on their preference and learning style with a Think-Tac-Toe

You can download it for free HERE at my TpT store.

Find Someone Who Bingo

Do you need a back to school classbuilding activity? Here is a get acquainted Find A Buddy Who with a Bingo twist!

Click HERE to download.