SHOW DOWN!!!

This is a video of my students using "Show Down"

One of my favorite strategies to use with my students is "Show Down"!  This is a Kagan Structure that allows 100% student engagement.  Keep in mind, it did take a few rounds of practice before the students were able to use this strategy fluently.  In fact, you can hear in the video that I had to remind the students about a step they were about to skip.  

When participating in "Show Down", students work in groups from two to five.  I like groups of four!  Each group begins with a "Show Down" captain (use a selector tool to keep it fair).  Cards are placed faced down in the middle of the group.  The cards include content questions you wish the students to review.  The "Show Down" captain takes the top card, reads the card, and places it face up in the middle of the group so all group members can see.  Students record their answer on a white board.  White boards are held "belly up" to ensure individual thinking.  When  group members complete recording his/her, he/she turns the board over.  When all boards are turned over, the "Show Down" captain says "SHOW DOWN!" All group members display his/her answer.  If all answers are the same, the "Show Down" captain checks the answer key.  If answers differ, the "Show Down" captain coaches.  When an answer is agreed upon and proven to be correct, the responsibilities of a "Show Down" captain rotates clockwise.

Here are some pictures of "Show Down" in action!

Students use "Show Down" to review Revolution and Rotation.  When students display and discuss their answers, they must use text evidence.  For example, "I wrote Revolution because page 67, paragraph 4 says ....."

Students use "Show Down" to review equivalent fractions!

Students using "Show Down" to practice Text Structure!