Five+Card+Draw

Five Card Draw

This strategy is a great way to split up into groups in the classroom--it really promotes higher level thinking because the students must defend their choices for joining the groups. Of course, the instructor will have the answers in mind, but I envision students using different logic to form groups other than the ones that the instructor originally chose. As long as the students don't take advantage of the situation, then I think that can be allowed. This type of thinking is exactly what we are striving to achieve with and for our students. SO...how does it work?

Prepare cards with topics to identify five items/cards for each set of categories. Make sure to have a card for each person in the class. This could work for a variety of topics such as vocabulary, geographic locations, minerals, etc. For our purposes we are going to use character identification.

You may either have students choose a card as they enter the room, or you may walk around to have them choose while you explain what they need to do.

Once everyone has a card, they need to circulate around to find the other people with like items.

When the groups have been formed, then give students the task to explain to the group as a whole why they fit together as a group. Since our groups are based on characters, each group will be asked to describe the character in approximately 30 seconds--also each group will be asked ways to which the group members can relate to this character.

If you use 5 card draw as a review of information or even as an informal assessment--you could one day have students write down 5 characteristics of a topic or concept. Then split them up and give the cards out to the students the following day in a format similarly to what we did today. You could have the TAG students do it for your other classes or you could work with another teacher to trade the concept cards with your respective classes.

Thanks to Ms. Kelly for suggesting this activity from //__Instruction for all students__// by Paula Rutherford.

Adapted for this purpose by Linda Kay, 1/2010.