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Welcome!
On this site you will find information and strategies to utilize in the classroom setting.
*This site is continually being managed and updated. There may be times where areas may seem incomplete.*
Groups & Pairs
Popsicle Sticks
Distribute a popsicle stick of a different color to each group.
Have one popsicle stick of each color behind your back and pull them out one by one.
As sticks are pulled, groups decide where they would like to go based on whatever reason you are using the popsicle sticks for.
Ex. order for presentations, etc.
Dice Throw
Set a guideline: whoever has the highest number, whoever has the lowest number, etc.
Have students throw a die and whoever wins based on the guideline set by the teacher gets to decide if they would rather go first or second or make a decision based on the circumstance in which you are using the die.
Line Up Silently
Give students instructions that they must line up alphabetically by first or last name, by birthday, etc. but they must do so absolutely silent and use other strategies to figure out how to get themselves in the correct order.
After students are in line, divide them in to groups.
Blackmaids Cards
Give each student a card from a Blackmaids deck.
Then have students find their match and that is who their partner will be for the activity.
If the Blackmaid card is needed, notify the student ahead of time that they will be allowed to pick which group they would like to join.
Team Shake
(App)
Enter student's names, enter number of groups you would like
give iPhone or tablet a couple of shakes and pairs or groups are created!
Go Fish Partners
Use Go Fish cards to create partners and groups. Different colors on cards can help assign different roles within the groups.
Elbow Partners
Students are partners with their nearest elbow partner. This can come about when students are sitting at their desks, walking about the classroom, etc.
Stand Up, Hand Up,
Pair Up
"Stand up"- Students stand up and begin walking around the room.
"Hand up"- Students to raise a hand in the air and continue walking.
"Pair up"- Student will high five the student closest to them and that will be their partner.
Fist to Five
This is a way to reach consensus in your classroom.
Fist- no, no, no
1- I really don't like it
2- Not quite as strong
3- Neutral
4- I like it, I am good with it
5- I love it, wooo!
Walk and Talk
Students have a partner and walk and talk about whatever may be appropriate for the topic you are using this strategy for.
Cinnamon Synonym
Laminate cards with cinnamon rolls on them. Put words on the cards and create pairs of synonyms to create partners.
iPartners on Speed Dial
Print off images of keypad and contact list. Glue them onto 4" x 12" piece of construction paper phone that student's personalize with their own designs. To set up their contact (partner) list, students move about the room mutually agreeing to be partners with six other people. When it’s time to partner up for an activity, tell students to take out their phones and ". . . work with contact number two." We normally “update” contact lists once a quarter.
Clock Partners
Student's have a different partner for each hour on the clock.
Who's Next?
Who's wearing the color ____?
Who has a birthday in ___?
Who has ____ siblings?
Who is closest to the number I am thinking of?
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