Description:
At the beginning of a new topic of study, student groups list facts or concepts they know about the topic. Then, during the lecture that introduces the topic, students listen for facts/concepts they listed. When the teacher addresses an item on a group's list, group members raise their hands and receive points for their team.

Value:
This Active Learning strategy gets students turned on to the topic from the start. Students pool their knowledge, share experiences, and learn from one another. Students remain tuned in during the lecture, listening with added interest and incentive. Groups build cohesion by contributing to the knowledge pool to earn points for their group. The teacher benefits from seeing how much the class knows about the topic.

Instructions:
1. Introduce the topic title and explain that before you begin lecturing on the topic, you would like to see how much the class already knows about the topic.

2. Divide students into groups of equal size.

3.Instruct groups to take 7-10 minutes to pool their knowledge and list all the facts they know about the topic.

4. Explain that groups will earn group points toward their group grades based on their list of facts.

5. As groups develop their lists, circulate and observe the lists. Announce when groups have only one minute left.

6. Call time. Tell groups to raise hands during the lecture when the lecture covers a point on the group's fact list. Assign a scorekeeper.

7. Deliver the lecture, stopping when group members raise their hands. Allow groups to report what their group said about the fact they listed that corresponds with your lecture point.

Tip:
use a simple system for recording group points. Apply group points toward group grades.


See a video demo of this strategy

Download a Pre-Class Planning Form (PDF)

Download a Post-Class Summary Form (PDF)