Crafty catch

Purpose

This is an activity that helps students to revise a topic in an entertaining way.

Preparation

Buy a coloured beach ball (some supermarkets sell them during the summer). Inflate and write numbers on the surface with a permanent marker (we used 1-100, plus stars in a different colour). The number of numbers and stars depends on how many questions you want to come up with.

You also need to provide a list of revision questions (the same number as the total number written on the ball plus some extra ‘star’ questions).

Approach

To start the activity check there is nothing in the room that will be damaged if hit by the ball. You throws the ball into the class to a student chosen at random.

The student catches the ball and looks at the number nearest to their left thumb. Student then answers the question with the corresponding number from the list. If students thumb is closest to a star, they can either chose to answer a star question, or can listen to it first and then nominate another member of the class to answer in their stead.

If you wish, points can be awarded to the students (1 point for a numbered question, 2 points for a star question) on an individual or team basis.

Comments

Our students like the slightly competitive element of this technique, and the possibility of nominating someone else to answer a question in their stead.

Last updated: 21 June 2007