Ideas for warm up games and assessment activities.
Most people agree that the use of quick challenges - that are game-like in nature - definitely have a place in our teaching.
Why?
Well here are just a few reasons for using games and warm-ups:
- They are a great way to suss out a class you have just met.
- They are good for getting attention and quickly noticing those that are watching and engaging with you - and those that aren’t.
- At the start of a lesson they quickly establish a purpose for learning – rather than a ‘hotch potch’ of pupils who may or may not want to settle into learning.
- Warm ups give some pupils an increase in confidence and focus through the collective pattern of behaviour – i.e. ‘we are all doing this together and/or I might have a chance of my team winning’.
- Although there is often a competitive element with some games pupils, also quickly recognise when they aren’t getting it right and if set up well, with a positive atmosphere, games result in pupils teaching and correcting each other.
- Games can be used as a quick way to assess how the learning is going part way through a lesson without the need to talk one to one with every pupil.
- Games are more enjoyable and engaging – so long as you don’t overdo them. When the enjoyment and ‘A Ha’ factor is lost, move on to a new one.
I’ve put together a 10 page booklet with around 36 different ideas that can be used in many subjects and contexts.
Ideas for Games and Activities
These are also included in the TC Network - why not sign up and have a browse at all the other free stuff there before deciding whether to take out full membership - just £29.99 for over 800 lesson ideas.
