The Tea Party Strategy {Student Engagement}
As you well know by now, I am a big fan of using activities that engage and/or hook my students. Scoot, Find Your Partner, and I Spy are just a few of my favorites. But, back in my student teaching days, my mentor teacher shared the idea of a "Tea Party" with me.Don't worry, there isn't any tea involved. And, it isn't really even much of a party. Ha!
What is a Tea Party, you ask? It's essentially a mingle. Kind of like Find Your Partner, but this time, you can interact with anyone you encounter.
In any event, this is how it plays out in the classroom:
- Print, laminate, and cut out the information cards.
- Give each student a card.
- Set a time limit (2-4 minutes) and task students with reading their fact to as many classmates as they can in the allotted time.
- Regroup and review the facts that the students learned.
I like to "host" my tea parties at the start of a unit, as unit opener. This allows the students to get some background knowledge, and it also allows for some good discussion. Of course, one could host a tea party whenever they'd like!
Click the image below to grab a free copy of the newly updated tea party from Google Docs. Enjoy!
Toodles! Share It:
I love it when you get sidetracked...I reap the benefits! Your cover picture is adorable...you must be earning an A in class!
ReplyDelete(I am mad because I purchased Office when we had an updated version at school, so I would always have to remember to save as the old version if I needed to work on it at home. And THEN my school offered it for $10. Grrr...)
Cute idea, Aimee! Great facts, too. My students will love this :) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKate
EduKate and Inspire
This is super cute! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteSeusstastic Classroom Inspirations
Aimee, you always make me smile when I read your blog posts! I can't wait to hear what "new" things you learn in your Power Point class. Thanks for the great freebie!
ReplyDelete-Jaime
Bright Concepts 4 Teachers
Im a first grade teacher in ccsd! I just found your blog and looove it! Super cute and great ideas!
ReplyDeleteHow did you get Microsoft Office for $10? I don't even have word on my laptop at home, only our desktop!!! Am I still able to get it?
Hi!
DeleteThanks for commenting! Feel free to email me at primarilyspeaking@gmail.com and I would be happy to try and answer your question.
Toodles,
Aimee