My first year of teaching, I had a 6th grader named Lamar. Lamar was the wiggliest, squirmiest, most energetic little guy I had seen yet. He literally rolled around on the floor almost every day.
And I, a 24 year old “newbie” was supposed to keep him in his seat? And focused? And LEARNING? Uhhh... they didn’t teach that part in college.
Seriously?
I had no idea how to do that. When I told him toget in his seat, he would usually do so -- only to “fall out” two minutes later. When I turned my back, he had dance moves ready. Sometimes seated, sometimes not. He would accidently-I-mean-on-purpose mess up his paper so he could throw it out -- and make points for the basketball shot into the trash can. 
Well, Lamar, here is the game I wish I had for you.
It’s called “Crumple and Shoot” and it’s a review game. But it’s BEST use is as a review game for higher order questions. Here’s how it works:
Prep the game. :
1. Create/compile a stack of higher order questions that would help students with the upcoming assessment. Don’t forget the answer key!
2. Chop some scrap paper in quarters. Old worksheets or messed up copies are perfect! You need a lot – one per team, per question.
3. Make sure your trash can is clean-ish and useable. Or, use a box or another basket. Place it in a clear area. Place a piece of masking tape at a reasonable spot a few feet away, and then another behind that one.
4. Create a scoreboard on the board at the front of the room.
Play the game:
5. Arrange students in teams of three or four.
6. Go over rules with the students:
- Stay in your seats at all times
- No heckling
- Both feet must be behind the line until the ball leaves your hand. Otherwise, your shot doesn’t count.
- One piece of paper per shot.
7. Teacher reads the higher-order question aloud – or display it on the board on power point.
8. Group members discuss and agree on an answer then write it LEGIBLY on one piece of paper. Not too loudly – don’t want other groups to hear!
9. After the teacher says “Answers Up”, one group member holds up the paper.
10. If your answer is wrong, the teacher will take the paper.
11. If your answer is right, the teams will send up one person to crumple the paper and shoot it in the basket (or box or basket).
12. If the shooter makes it, the team gets a point. The group with the highest points wins.
13. Consider having winning team get an extra credit point or two on the assessment.
Pro Tips:
- Create a “one point” line and a “two point” line a little further from the trash can.
- Create a bulls-eye, like in darts, around the trash can.
- Give points for good behavior, so kids don’t get squirrely.
Benefits of Crumple and Shoot Game:
· Student engagement and teamwork
· Way to make higher order questions more fun.
· Engages students who prefer physical movement
Watch Out For:
- Kids getting rowdy. Remind students that they are not to get out of their seats or to heckle. Award points for good behavior.
- One team is winning and others are giving up. Award a second place prize to keep the rest engaged.
What do you think? Do you have a version of Lamar in your class? Some kid who can’t stop moving? Do you think he would be successful at this game? Will you try it? As always, I love to hear! Email me! newmantr@pcsb.org
-Tracy
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