Imagine a class, highly focused on searching online and reading with barely a sound except the tapping of keyboards or a deep breath for fear of losing precious seconds. That is the
Great American Race EduProtocol. Think of it as a "Who (or What) am I?" review activity with a twist. In this activity, students anonymously contribute a slide to a whole-class slide deck with facts, information, or vocabulary. Then, in the second half of the activity, teams race to identify each slide. But here's the twist--teams of students must communicate in silence using a shared doc or spreadsheet so as to avoid having classmates steal their answers. Here's what you'll need to make this EduProtocol a success:
- Decide on the content to be covered.
- Create a "key" for the slides.
- Create a way for students to submit their answers electronically (feel free use this Google Form as a model--it collects email addresses and is basically a blank numbered response form. The numbers correspond to the numbered slides on the class slide deck).
- Write each slide answer on a 3x5 index card. Be sure to number the cards.
- Create a blank slide deck that is numbered and corresponds to the 3x5 cards (feel free to use this template and modify it to meet your needs).
- Distribute the 3x5 cards, one to each student ("Don't show anyone your card!").
- Create an assignment in Google Classroom and attach the slide deck so that "students can edit."
- Students find the slide with the matching number that is on their 3x5 card and develop clues to the answer on the card. Provide a time limit for this activity--it should take about 5 - 7 minutes for students to create their slide.
- Once the slide deck is complete, create teams of two to four students.
- Students share a document or spreadsheet through which all team members can communicate. Students should make a numbered list on their shared document to guess each slide's clue.
- Students work together to research and figure out the answer to each slide. They do not talk during this process; in fact, sitting across the room from each other is helpful. Students communicate through the shared document, document chat, and comment features.
- One student in each group submits their team's answers on the Google Form referenced above.
- Teacher records the order in which the teams complete the challenge.
- Check the answers, deduct points for incorrect answers, declare a winning team!
Academic Goals
- Ensure it will be student directed
- Practice research skills (both in developing the slide and in identifying the slides)
- Organize and work using written communication
Teacher Big Ideas
- Teach researching skills and then let students do the "heavy lifting"
- Sit back and facilitate
- Keep it fun!
See the slide deck below for detailed instructions and
feel free to make a copy of the template.
