Strategy 3
Your Name: Erin Mcintosh
Name of Strategy: Snowball Fight
Source: Teaching Expertise
Link: http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/teaching-tips-1-679
Description: This strategy was found on a website that has many great ideas for getting your students moving during a lesson. I liked this one the best and thought it would work well with my students. I would modify this version of it to fit my needs. First you have the students read the selected material for that lesson. Next give each student a piece of white paper and have them write a question or comment about their reading. Then they take the paper and ball it up. They suggest you have the students stand in a circle and throw the balled up paper into the center of the circle, but I could just imagine them trying to hit one another and someone bleeding from a paper cut, etc. So I would just have them throw the paper into a trashcan or bucket. Then have each student come and pick out one of the paper balls. Once back in the circle, each student will read what is on the paper they picked out and discussion will take place on the question or comment.
SCOS: Family and Consumer Science for me but could be used in any curriculum.
Why will this work and how will it help students to learn?
The motto of this website is “If their bodies don’t move, their brains won’t groove!” and I agree completely. It just seems like when students are up moving around and interacting with one another, they are more enthusiastic about learning. This is an anonymous way for students to get their questions answered as well as striking up conversation about the topics. Students also have to recall and comprehend their reading to be able to comment and question. It could get a little wild if not carefully monitored!
I know what you mean with getting students up and moving. The same is true for preschoolers. I work for a child care resource and referral agency and our agency works closely with newly licensed Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers. Music and movement is a way that centers and homes can achieve a better score on their assessments. Let’s get those students up and moving!
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoJennifer Roberts
Erin
This sounds great! I like the idea of keeping students active! This will make sure that no one in your class is sleeping!! There is a similar activity where you write the questions on a beach ball and pass it around class. The student answers the question that his or her left thumb lands on !!!!
Rodney Pyatte
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoI think this is a great idea! Undoubtedly students will be throwing paper balls at each other, but I think that would just add to the excitement of this activity. Plus, after pelting each other, they will be better able to focus! I can’t wait to use this!!! I really like Rodney’s idea about the beach ball too! Roberta Wilson
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoThis is great and I would encourage and take part in throwing of paperballs. It may even get some of the class room energy out. The students would want to take part in this activity.
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoThis activity sounds like a lot of fun! I think students will put effort into their questions and comments since other students will be reading or hearing them.
Kirsten Schmidt
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoThis is awesome. I think that I would like to let the students throw the paper at each other as long as they didn’t get too rowdy. I am sure the kids would enjoy it and the physical activity might motivate them to participate in the class discussion.
Posted 1 year, 7 months agoTiffany