Numbered Heads Together and Pairs Check

These structures are used to develop or assure mastery of a specific skill. Numbered Heads Together assigns students to teams which compete to answer questions. It is important that the teams be even in skill level so that every member will feel comfortable contributing. Numbered Heads Together teams discuss and then agree on an answer before they give it, so students can share expertise, correct each other's mistakes and assure each other of right answers. Pairs Check has students work in pairs sharing and checking answers to particular assignments. Pairs may meet with other pairs for more sharing and checking.

Suggestions for using Numbered Heads Together:

1. Test preparation/study time for students at the same skill level
2. Working of Math Word Problems
3. Review of text read (novel, newspaper article, etc.); may be done with or without access to the text
4. Spelling or grammar skill review
5. Preparation for a whole class interview with a coming speaker

Suggestions for using Pairs Check:

1. Checking written class work
2. Checking interpretations of texts read
3. Checking explanations of how math problems are worked
4. Checking memorization for a presentation
5. Using flashcards

Role Playing

Role playing involves two or more class members acting out a real or hypothetical situation, usually taking roles not normally associated with that person. The objective is to see from another's point of view.

Suggested scenarios for role-playing:

1. Historical event
2. Right and wrong ways to deal with conflict
3. Interviews
4. Talking to a child's teacher
5. Talking to a doctor
6. Characters in a story or novel recently read
7. Conversation with a historical figure or a famous figure, which allows students to show off knowledge gained through research

Case Incidents and Panel Exercise

These are useful in responding to current events that have caught studentsí interest. Case incidents allow students to expand their point of view by asking several students to analyze a real life situation or case incident. In the Panel structure, class members are chosen to engage in a discussion in front of the rest of the class, usually with one person serving as moderator and fielding questions from the rest of the class.

Suggested topics for Case Incidents and Panels

1. Presidential elections
2. Current controversies, such as the presence of U.S. military in Iraq, tax changes, etc.
3. Current movies, especially ones controversial for some reason, like The Passion
4. Current awards given, such as Emmys, Grammys, and Oscars.
5. Verdicts in famous lawsuits
6. School policies/classroom policies