Graffiti Challenge

Ok, team! The countdown to Winter Break is down to single-digits! Wahoo!!! After today, there are seven school days left -- and several of those are exam days!  So let’s do one last review game -- one that requires VERY LITTLE PREP!!! (almost none)

Here is our last Review Strategy for December...

Higher Order Review: Graffiti Challenge

Prep:

1. Use it before an assessment or project to review key concepts, words, or HOT questions.
2. What you need:
1. Key concepts (1 for each poster)
2. Chart paper
3. Markers
4. Timer (you decide the interval) http://www.online-stopwatch.com/classroom-timers/

  3.  Write each of the chosen key concepts or HOT questions in the middle of the poster and spread the posters around the room.

Play:

4. Put students into groups, each one with a poster.

1. Hint: Keep groups small (no more than 3-4 a group) and let the kids name their groups if they want.
2. Give students the markers or let them choose (you can have them next to the posters).
3. Describe to them the process and the intervals. They are to write as many words, phrases, sentences, or draw pictures that relate to the concept or HOT questions within the allotted time interval.
4. Hint: Don’t make it a long time interval. 3-5 minutes max.
5. You call SWITCH and they rotate to the next poster.
6. Follow this procedure until students return to their original poster.
7. Collect the posters and display them; or have the students choose where to display them.
8. As a class, go through the posters. Correct any mistakes if necessary and add any important information where necessary. This can also be student-led.
9. As you go through the posters, ask additional higher-order thinking questions!

Pro tips:

• Explain the rules, expectations, and concept of the game prior to beginning it.
• Have the students lead the discussion at the end.
• Have the students tally up points at the end.
• Keep a strict and consistent time interval. It creates a sense of urgency.
• Give each team their own color to help you keep track of who said what on the chart paper.

Benefits of Graffiti Challenge Game:

• Because the kids will love it! Especially having a choice between writing a word, phrase, sentence, and drawing.
• It forces the students to pull from their own knowledge and collaborate with each other.
• It gives the students an opportunity to move about the room while you still maintain control.

Watch Out For:

Students get a little “crazy” because they don’t know what to do. That can be solved by thoroughly and explicitly discussing your rules, expectations, and the reasons for the review game. It can also be solved by maintaining a consistent time interval during the rotations.

All you need is a little chart paper, some markers, and some open-ended questions! Can you use it? Will it help your kids review content? And ... can you make it these last few days before Winter Break? I’m a little antsy myself.

As always, email me and let me know how it goes!

-Tracy