Subjects
Grades
Brief Description
A FUNtastic strategy that can be used as a review for any subject.
Objectives
Students will
Keywords
vocabulary, puzzle, clues, review
The Lesson
Before the Lesson
Prepare the "puzzles" required for this activity. Each puzzle will contain
only two pieces. Create those matching puzzle pieces by cutting index
cards or paper into two pieces that resemble the pieces of a large puzzle.
Write a different "clue" on each puzzle piece that will lead to the same
answer.
This activity can be used to review vocabulary or to challenge students to think about vocabulary in almost any subject across the curriculum. It's a good practice activity prior to testing too. For example, the activity might be used in
Social Studies/Geography
Language Arts/Vocabulary and Dictionary Skills
History/U.S. History
Be sure you have one clue for each student in the class. If an odd number of students are in attendance on the day of the activity, you (the teacher) could pair up with a student.
The Activity
Distribute the puzzle-piece clues so each student has a clue. Give students
a moment so each can read and think about his/her clue. Then direct
students to find the classmate who has the puzzle piece that connects
to theirs to make a complete (two-piece) puzzle.
When all students have found their "puzzle partners," provide time for them to share their clues with each other. They must determine what their clues have in common. Ask them not to share -- give away -- the "answer" with others in the class. In some cases, students might need to refer to their textbooks to determine what the clues have in common.
When all students have found their answers, have each pair of partners read their clues to the class to see if a classmate knows or can figure out the answer. If the class can't figure out the answer, you might hold off telling them. Instead, at the end of the activity have students return to their desks and take out their textbooks (or, for the language activity, their dictionaries). Reread the clues to the class and give a reward to the first student who can find the correct answer.
Assessment
You might prepare a quiz based on the vocabulary used in the activity. This is also a good strategy to use when you need to figure out what skills/vocabulary that need to be re-taught.Submitted By
Elizabeth Eaton, Savanna Ridge Elementary School in Fort Pierce, Florida
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