Gwenyth Kieser and Elaine Teyner-Smith
Teams of four
1. Teacher chooses problems.
2. All four students respond simultaneously.
3. When students are done with the problem, they
place their pencils on the desk.
4. Students pass papers clockwise.
5. Students check answer, initial, and coach if
necessary.
6. Students continue adding to what is already
completed.
7. Repeat.
Tweek:
 Have students come to a consensus before
rotating papers. (I don’t give the answer)
 PowerPoint presentation. I control the pace.
 Going over the answers at the end of the activity
seems to ensure students are doing the problems
correctly

Groups can be asked to put a problem on the board for
the other groups to use as an answer key

Split rows so that every two rows of students
are paired together.
Every other row is your “A” group
 The rest of the rows are group “B”




Give “A” 30 sec. to 1 min. to explain lesson to
their “B” partner
Call Time
Give “B” students 30 sec. to add comments


Works well for students to re-state what they
just took notes on
Allows them to notice if they are missing any
information or have questions
Students form groups of two.
 Each student works independently on a
problem from the board.
 When finished, students turn to their “shoulder
partner”, and state the answer.



Works well when going over Guided Practice
problems
Student conversations will show
misconceptions or understanding


Each student receives an index card
Students complete the problem on the card (if
required)




Do not let them write on the index cards
Students then walk around the room and find
their match
When matches are made, they show the teacher
for confirmation
Students should then return to their seats until
the activity is completed.



Sometimes activities will ask students to find 2
other people
Gets the students up and moving around
without taking too much classroom time
Easy to spot students who are struggling with
concept

Allows other students to provide assistance


Students use their “A” and “B” partners
One group is the “Sage”
They do all the talking
 Tell partner what to write and how to solve a problem
 They are not allowed to write anything


The other is the “Scribe”
May not speak
 Write only (and exactly) what their partner tells them


Complete problem, discuss answer, switch roles
Students
form groups of two.
Students go around the room and answer various
questions that are posted on the wall.
Once they answer that particular question, they look
for the answer on another piece of paper that is posted
somewhere around the classroom.
From there, they will find the next question to
answer.
This continues until all questions are answered and
students should finish at the problem where they
started.
 Works well as a chapter review, the day before the
test.