After last week's graphing activity, I discovered that a lot of my students do not enjoy social studies. To introduce social studies I broke my class into five groups. Each group was assigned one section to learn and then teach their classmates. The students worked together to read 1-2 pages from their social studies book. They then decided together what was the most important information in their section that their classmates needed to know. Once they established that, I had them create a poster on their topic.
When all the groups were finished they shared the posters with their classmates. They did a wonderful job teaching each other about the major social studies areas.
I love doing this activity because it lets me see which kids take the lead when it comes to group projects, who sits back and attempts to let others do the work, who is comfortable talking in front of the entire class, and it gives me an overall feel of how they behave in groups. I'm pleased to say this group of kiddos did a spectacular job!
What do you do to make your classroom an interactive place?
Don't forget to enter my giveaway-just a few more hours left!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I love this idea! Following the pacing guide (per my mentor teacher), I'm teaching Mississippi history...which most of my students find B-O-R-I-N-G! I'm certainly up for trying this with social studies next week!
ReplyDeleteMiss White's Classroom
Great idea, Bethany! I could definitely do this in my classroom. My kids are housed at tables and do most activities as groups. The only time they really work alone is if they are testing or silent reading. That's about it.
ReplyDeleteI am constantly changing their roles since I find that gifted kids either like to isolate themselves or take over the whole thing. I've got to get better about doing Social Studies and quit relying so heavily on Science. It's a personal goal.
Alison
Rockin' and Lovin' Learnin'
There's a CRISS activity that's very similar to this, except the kids have to make picture notes. They are only allowed to write key words on the page, so they have to get very creative with how they draw the information. I like to do a jigsaw activity, putting together one student from each group so everyone has a chance to be the "expert" and is responsible for sharing the information. Then, each group can rotate to each poster for the presentations at the same time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I always thought that SS was the perfect time to have students work in collaborative groups and it really does help improve their idea of the subject!! After this activity I'm sure you'll have a class that is eager to get to SS time!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Polka Dot Lesson Plans