Teach Better - Work Less - Achieve More: Things That Rock Smart Start

Looking for some fun ways to grow a positive classroom culture? The Things That Rock Smart Start is a great team-building activity that can help students learn more about their classmates. As students place themselves along a like/dislike continuum regarding a particular topic, such as homework, students will learn about the likes and dislikes of classmates and the reasons behind those feelings. Teachers will gain valuable insight into the makeup of their class as students discuss their opinions.

Culture Goals

• Students learn that their opinion matters.
• Get kids familiar with their classmates' likes and dislikes.
• Students learn to listen to and respect the views of classmates.

Academic Goals

• Students practice providing multiple correct answers.
• Students are challenged to provide deeper answers.
• Students learn to base answers on evidence, in this case, their own feelings.

Teacher Big Ideas

• Use this activity to get to know your class.
• Practice attention-getting signals.
• Keep it fun by keeping it fast, about twenty items in thirty minutes with a quick pace.
• Allow students to respond to one another as long as they are good sports.

Prepare for the Activity

Create a slide deck of five to twenty with images or words to represent the topics of high interest to the age group of your students. Consider the following prompts:

homework - iPads - dodgeball - friend drama - ungraded papers - friends - teachers - rules - bullies - school projects - lunchtime - tech that doesn't work - missing assignments - missing the bus - people who yell - math - project partners who don't do their share of the work - backpacks - working alone - Chromebooks - writing - detention - little brothers and sisters - seeing the principal - reading a book - recess

Instructions

Step 1: This can be a rowdy session depending on your class, so be sure to set up a norm to quiet students and recapture their attention.

Step 2: Indicate one side of the room as being "lame" and one side as "rocks."

Step 3: Explain to the students that they will physically move to the sides of the room to indicate their preference.

Step 4: Call on two to five students to give their reasons for choosing the way they did in the form of a quick statement. Avoid long dissertations, as other students will quickly become bored.

Step 5: Move to the next topic and repeat!

Step 6: Keep the pace moving so kids won't get restless.

Key Points to Remember

• This can't be emphasized enough: Keep the pace fast. Teach and use signals to bring students attention back to you so the activity can move forward.
• Be aware--at all times--of opportunities to develop a positive culture in your classroom.
• After the activity, when you have a few minutes of quiet, take note of your impressions and insights into your students.

Adapting for Littles

• This activity is appropriate for students of all ages. For younger students, be prepared to help them understand the concept of standing on a continuum based on their preferences. Start with something very concrete for the students, such as "peanut butter and jelly sandwiches" or an especially divisive topic such as "eating peas."
• The greatest challenge will be helping young students understand that their vote counts for them and to not just go along with the crowd.
• Teach them to raise their hands to share why they made the choice. "I chose ____ because ___." Be patient with rambling stories--that's just what littles do!

See the slide deck below for detailed instructions and feel free to make a copy of the template.