Treasure Map

Purpose
Use a game format or physical activity, to complete a problem-solving task and mathematical computations.

When to use
Use this strategy to motivate students interest by providing a series of challenging tasks to complete or to review material before a test.

What youll Need

Cardboard sets of mathematical questions or problem solving activities. Copies of treasure map.

What To Do
1. Create four sets of mathematical computation or problem solving tasks. Write them on cardboard and hide cards around the room. 2. Form four teams of students. 3. Give each group a treasure map with clues for finding all the cards. Once they find a card, students must perform the task or complete the mathematical computation. Successful completion can earn students points for a grade or competitive prize for the team with the most points. 4. Set the time limit. 5. After the hunt is done, review the result.

Variations
1. Make this an individual search. Each day, hide clues for the next tasks. When an individual finds a clue or task, he or she will complete it. 2. Hide parts of a problem on different days. Over several days, have students find the pieces so they can eventually solve the entire problem.

Hurrahs

Purpose
Celebrate successes with classmates.

When to use
Use to celebrate an individual, group or all class achievements or special contribution. Use to enable base groups to celebrate their achievement.

What you`ll need

No materials necessary

What to do
Introduce a class to a hurrah such as the Standing `O`vation. At a signal, all students stand, clasp their hand in a circle over their heads and say, `Oohhh`.

Variations
1. The number of hurrahs is limitless. Groups can invent their own as well. Here are some silent samples. Double clam clap ( 2 hands open and close like a clam) Alaska hurrah ( silent shake of 2 hands overhead) Yes, Yes, Yes (emphatic lip-sync statement while pulling right arm down) Thumbs Up Whirley Bird (1 hand whirls over head like a helicopter) Silent Clap (hands swish by each other) Silent Cheer (students stand, wave hands, sit) Wave (silent cheer, row by row) Brain Wave ( flutter hand side by side of head) 2. Designate a student to pick a moment for a silent hurrah and leave a class in it. Use students leaders on a dally basts or for specific types of activities and rotate so that all students have the opportunity to be a hurrah leader. 94

Video Record
Purpose
Conduct an experiment that will be videotaped and use it to identify individual performance, group technique, best practices and areas for improvement.

When to use
Use during a lesson to assess students abilities, group techniques.

What youll Need

VCR, blank videotapes.

What to Do
1. During a lab Experiment, set up a video camera to tape one group. Instruct group members to narrate what they are doing as they perform the experiment. 2. View the videotape with the group upon completion of the experiment.

Group Motto
Purpose
Increase social bonding with teammates and sharing behaviour when working in a group.

When to Use
Use at the beginning of a lesson or when conflict arises in a group.

What youll Need

Chart paper.

What to do
1. Form heterogeneous groups that will stay for two or more weeks. 2. Give each group two sheets of chart paper. Assign roles. 3. Show samples of well-known mottos. Brainstorm a list of other motto. 4. Discuss students the purpose behind mottos. 5. Ask each group to create a list of positive characteristics of groups (e.g all participate, members encourage each other). From the list, make your own motto. 6. Create a poster or banner with the groups motto.

Variations 1. Use lead in statements on how students can support in achieving groups motto.

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