Tweet2Terrific

What is it?

A strategy to improve literacy skills using social media as a hook.

How does it work?

Pupils are to 'tweet' a peer what they have learnt or the definition of something or an explanation for how something works.  Pupils can use text speak and # just as they would on Twitter and must stick very strictly to the 140 character limit.

Next, pupils pass their tweets to a peer who reads, deciphers and then rewrites their peer's tweet into a terrific sentence/paragraph about the same concept - must be grammatically correct and will not have a world limit.

Possible adaptations???

• In upper school pupils can actually tweet the teacher their ideas, teacher runs the feed to their twitter page on the board and pupils can then pick from the responses on the board which they'd like to make terrific (see example from @FMGeoggers to the right:
• As in the original, however a third step can be added where another peer assesses the finished terrific sentence/paragraph.

Smart Goggles!

What is it:
An unusual way of checking pupil progress and confidence.

How does it work:
Sell to pupils that you will be checking how they are getting on in their learning via the 'smart goggles' test.  As pupils finish a task they put on their 'smart goggles' (see image for variations), those who finish learning tasks quickly can then be given an extension task or turned into experts who are to assist others in their work, with the goal being that everyone in the lesson gets to show how 'smart' they are in their 'smart goggles'.  For those needing help or feel like they are struggling with a concept, they can show their brains are on fire (hands to heads and fingers flailing like fire).

This works best in classes were pupils are less confident in showing they need help to progress in their learning, as it leaves the raising of hands behind.

Possible adaptations???

• Holiday themed hand signals - Reindeer antlers/elvish ears

Circuit Training...for your brain

What is it:
An opportunity to make revision interactive, well paced and fun.

How does it work:
Pupils work in groups in circuits stations for 8 minutes each and rotate on a claxon/bomb.  At each station there is a different 'exercise' for their revision - memory techniques, exam techniques, skills and knowledge focus tasks employed.  See the ppt link below for an example from Geography -
http://www.scribd.com/doc/154289042/Revision-Stations

Resources needed:
Flash timer - http://www.online-stopwatch.com/bomb-countdown/full-screen/
Post-it notes
Lists of key terms, case studies, key concepts etc.
Blank paper, lined paper, coloured paper, sugar paper - some cut into small strips (for paper chains)
Red pens
Markers
PowerPoint print offs of each revision station
Exam Question(s)

Possible adaptations???

• Less time/more time at each station
• Add in other types of activities - such as using Play-dough to make visual representation of concepts instead of doing pictionary
• Provide a prize for a winning team - could be extra time for a homework/on an in class exam.

Inspired by: Mr Peter J Jeffery (resource on the TES at - http://www.tes.co.uk/ResourceDetail.aspx?storyCode=6335163) and @ASTSupportAAli

Peer Check and Send Service

What is it:
An opportunity for pupils to improve and assess each other's work.

How does it work:
Explain to pupils they are going to 'check and send' the work already completed by their peers.  This can be 'sold' by explaining the Passport Check and Send Service from the Post Office.

Supply peer checkers with either the correct version of information you want all pupils to have (and/or) improved/extended information they all should have - they must then 'check' the information gathered by their peers for accuracy/detail  This can be done with different coloured pens to make it more 'official'.

They must then 'send' a corrected or new piece of information to their peer's work and then hand this work back to the original owner.

Ideas for adaptations???

• Provide pupils with a tick-list as part of the check and send service, they can then glue into their peer's work
• Provide a 'charge' for this service and make certain pupils the check and send service operators (G&T pupils) in the classroom - can then be embedded routine.