In my school system we are required to give the STAR Reading and Math test (Renaissance Learning) every quarter. After analyzing the data after this last test, I found 5 standards that many of my students are still not mastering. Traditionally that means you reteach the skill and then give a worksheet or assignment to assess their comprehension. That's not my style. I wanted to find a way to have total student engagement while still focusing on hitting those five standards.
Hope King of the Ron Clark Academy had posted an activity that I wanted to try, and this was the perfect way to incorporate the 5 reading standards that I wanted to reinforce. Check out Hope's blog post about her Glow Games here.
The most important thing to remember is that this is not just a fun game. Academic content and rigor is key!
Let's get to it!
The day before Glow Games, I told my students to wear all white. They immediately knew that something was up my sleeve. I do this to build excitement. I want my students to be excited to come to school each day, and giving them a clue as to the next day's events is always an easy way to motivate them.
When the students entered my room, they were given a clipboard with their answer documents, a highlighter, and a pair of glow stick eyeglasses. They were then divided up into teams and set off on their learning adventure.
At each station, I had a set of directions, a folder with the needed materials, and the task cards or reading passages needed.
Set the stage:
Materials needed:
Neon/reflective tape
Blacklights
Reflective vest for teacher
(It would be great to have one for all of your students. I just told mine to wear white.)
Here the students were practicing vocabulary in context. They read a passage from Readworks. After they answered the five questions, one team member came to me to check their answers. (Look for the reflective vest to find my location.) If there was an incorrect answer they had to try again. If all the answers were correct, each team member took a turn bowling. If time permitted, the moved to a second Readworks passage and repeated the same steps.
Materials I used:
Hamster Balls
Glow Sticks
(bracelets)
Bowling Pins with reflective tape
(next year I will use water bottles with glow sticks inside)
Citing text evidence is a skill we have focused on all year long. Because its been a focus for so long, I was surprised to see this skill make the list of standards that needed more work.
Students read a passage from Scholastic and filled in the graphic organizer to show understanding. After answer each question on the organizer, I checked their work and if they were correct, they were each able to throw the "bean bags". Then they worked the next question and repeated until time was called.
Instead of using bean bags, students used glow necklaces to throw onto the word cards: Cite Text Evidence. Each one of these cards had a point value, so they tried to land on all three.
Students were practicing distinguishing the main idea versus theme in selected passages. Again, students read a Readworks passage and answered the questions about the story's theme and main idea. I checked for accuracy. When the passage was read and the answers were correct, each team member was able to move one Jenga piece. They also had task cards to work as their second round. After each card, the answer was checked and a piece was moved.
For how to set up Jenga, read my blog post here. Instead of painted ends, I used the reflective tape. They also did not have questions in chart form like they normally would.
Materials Needed:
Neon reflective tape
Figurative Language can be tricky for students. This game really helps them focus on the different types of figurative language and identifying examples in text. Students identified figurative language within text and decided what type it was. When all 5 questions related to the passage were complete, I checked for accuracy. Each student tried to "ring" each type of figurative language example. Before they tossed, they had to give the meaning and an example.
Materials used:
tall glow sticks
sticky tack to hold them in place
glow stick necklaces
Elements of Plot is essential to comprehending text. Here students had to make a match of four cards: one vocabulary word, its definition, and two examples from novels they have read.
For directions on how to play Spoons, check it out here.
Materials needed:
Plastic spoons
Neon reflective tape
Stack of cards to match
All day I heard the students saying that this was their best day ever. And to think, 5 reading standards were reviewed and practiced. Would I have received the same response with just giving the Readworks passages? Absolutely not! There was not one moment where I had to tell students to get busy. In fact I had to do quite the opposite. Sometimes they were so focused, they did not notice me giving directions or rotating the groups. I will take that any day!
Off to plan our next adventure. But first, I shall nap!
Hope you try this out. Your kids will LOVE it!
Tricia
